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Week of December 21, 2000 |
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NETHERLANDS IN MIAMI: Netherlands will open a full consulate in Miami in 2001, says Alexander Van Schelle, consul general of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Houston and in charge of Florida. Now, he said, an honorary consul handles activities here part-time. But "Florida is so important to our country that our government has decided to have a more active presence in Miami." The consulate will have a consul general and employ up to eight and, he said, will play an important role in economic development of the Netherlands Antilles, which includes Curaáao, St. Martin, Bonaire and Aruba off the coast of Venezuela. "These states with their own governments decided they needed a more active presence in Florida that could further possibilities for a two-way trading partnership." CARIBBEAN INITIATIVE: To promote partnerships and alliances between Miami-Dade County and the Caribbean, the board of the county-run Trade Mission Center for the Americas approved a "Caribbean Trade Initiative" to boost the county's economy while improving trade and cultural relations. It calls for identifying and qualifying the county's small or minority-owned businesses new to the market or to exporting that have the potential of trading with the Caribbean. The program will offer four workshops on training, education networking and matchmaking. The first will be in late March. Details: (305) 375-5071. ISRAEL TRIP: Enterprise Florida is recruiting companies to join a trade and investment mission to Israel March 16-22. Trade relations with Israel were boosted a year ago with a high-level mission headed by Gov. Jeb Bush. "It is a next step in furthering long-term relations between Florida and Israel," said Manny Mencia, Enterprise Florida senior vice president for international business development. "Historically, Americans have found a good market in Israel for their products." Delegates can show products at the Florida Pavilion at "Made in USA Trade Show" and meet one-on-one with business representatives with matching interests. Details (850) 922-8892. NOMINATIONS SOUGHT: The Women's Business Network of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for "outstanding businesswoman of the year." Nominations are due Feb. 9. Forms are available at the chamber's office at 50 Aragon Ave. The winner will be announced March 15 at a breakfast in the Biltmore Hotel. Details: (305) 445-5811. COUNTY CHECKS: In ceremonies last week, Miami-Dade Water & Sewer presented the county with a check for $9,438,915 and Corrections & Rehabilitation Food Service $878,952, both representing the departments' respective savings over the previous 31 months in the case of Water & Sewer and the fiscal year in the case of Corrections. Corrections Commander Debra McCarthy said "we just continued to watch our budget and spending" to account for the funds. The overall idea is to make both county operations competitive with the private sector. Recognition bonus pay checks totaling more than $2.3 million go to water department employees and about $219,000 to corrections foods' workers, representing 25% of the savings. WATER SOURCES: Among sources for savings at Water & Sewer, says Frank Calderon, department information officer, were work schedule changes, opening a safety & training center at the South Dade Water Treatment Plant to other departments and private customers, tougher contract compliance, reducing to one the number of backup generators needed to maintain electric pumps and making some square valves in-house for $9.35 instead of purchasing them for $65 each. ORANGE CEO: The Orange Bowl Committee named Keith Tribble CEO. Mr. Tribble, now in his eighth year with the Orange Bowl, had been executive director for the committee. TV CITATION: The board of the Suncoast chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences gave Carolyn Cefalo its governor's award for "substantial contributions to the field of television in South Florida," an award an academy spokesman said is given only to people "otherwise not eligible for an Emmy." Ms. Cefalo is a faculty member with the University of Miami School of Communication and serves on the Archdiocese Communication Commission and the Miami-Dade County Film & Television Board. STEP FORWARD: The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs gave a physician assistant program at Miami-Dade Community College official accreditation. M-DCC officials said the program, now in only its second year, is the first physician assistant course at a community college in Florida to earn the honor. "This," said Kathie Sigler, M-DCC medical center campus president, "is a tremendous step forward for our new program." HEALTH UPDATE: The Miami-Dade County Health Department's Office of Public Health Information, Legislative & Community Affairs announced a move to 8175 NW 12th St. Details: (786) 845-0200 or (305) 377-6751 after hours, weekends and holidays. READERS WANTED: Miami-Dade Public Library System seeks volunteers for 15-minute segments of a 30-hour read-a-thon Jan. 23-24 at the cultural plaza in front of the Main Library, 101 W Flagler St. The event kicks off the system's year-long 30th anniversary celebration. Details: Lainey Brooks, (305) 375-5017. NEW SALES CENTER: The Ocean Club at Key Biscayne is tearing down its sales center to make room for its 11th residential tower, Lake Villa One. The new sales center will be above the Ocean Club's tennis club. PRIVATE POST: Global Private Bank of American Express Bank promoted Sergio J. Masvidal to managing director. President and CEO W. Richard Holmes said Mr. Masvidal will direct the group's operations worldwide from his Miami office. Mr. Holmes had been serving as both president of American Express Bank and managing director of the private banking group since June. Mr. Masvidal began his banking career with Continental Illinois and was with Irving Trust International Bank before joining American Express in 1987 as Miami branch manager. He is a trustee for the Southwest Social Services and the Cuban American National Council. HOME POST: The Children's Home Society has named Emilio Alonso-Mendoza corporate chief development officer after he joined the society Nov. 1. For the Home Society the former national executive director for the National Parkinson Foundation in Miami will be based at offices in both Orlando and Miami, said CEO and President David Bundy. He said at his new post "Emilio will advance philanthropy statewide. We're confident his innovative approach will increase annual and endowment revenue from donors, corporations and foundations." HAITIAN OPENING: A grand opening is being held from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 30 for the Jakmel Gallery & Cultural Center, 2301 Biscayne Blvd., a new Haitian art gallery and center. Festivities include displays and sales of fine art from international artists, live music, poetry readings, crafts, jewelry, clothing. Details: (305) 576-0121. ODEBRECHT OK'D: County commissioners Tuesday approved a settlement of $465,0000 with Odebrecht of Florida over a project at Miami International Airport. The funds have to do with a late change in the project caused when the county aviation deparment added an automated people mover to a design after a contract for the job with Odebrecht was awarded in 1997. |
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