2040 in Pictures
The Chamber 2040 Advisory board in discussion for plans on the up n’ coming professional development network luncheons.
Brendan McCarthy (left) and Michael Welch (right), part of the think-tank behind Chamber 2040 concept, discuss the benefits of retention and attraction for local Brevard County Employeers for their employees by engaging with Chamber 2040.
Chamber 2040 Advisory Board
Chamber 2040 kick off lunch at River Rocks with Mike Means July 14, 2009. A packed house!
Advisory Board
Michael Welch, Merrill Lynch
Chair
Michael, born and reared in the Melbourne area, returned to Brevard County in 2007 to join Merrill Lynch as a Financial Advisor in the firm's Rialto office. His father, Mick, has dedicated over 30 years of service to the area's banking community.
A proud Melbourne Central Catholic and University of Florida alumnus, "Mick, Jr." took on the role of Chair to Chamber 2040 in June of 2009. As Chair, he is also a member of the Chamber's Board of Directors, actively contributes to the Chamber's Ambassadors program, and is a third-generation Rotarian with Melbourne Rotary Club.
Professionally, Michael is a Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM and recently partnered with the McGee Maust Wealth Advisory Group. The partnership offers families and corporations disciplined financial management strategies with over 40 years of industry experience. To learn more about Don McGee and Bob Maust, please visit www.fa.ml.com/mcgee_maust_group.
Away from the office, Michael enjoys volunteering with a local youth soccer club, learning music, and cooking for his family. On Saturdays in the Fall, there's also a good chance you can find he and his wife, Cassandra, around a tailgate somewhere in Gainesville.
Bill Jenkins, Prime Bank
Vice Chair; Small Business Committee Liaison
John Riordan, Wuesthoff Health Systems
Multicultural Business Council Liaison
John Riordan joined the Wuesthoff Health System Foundation in August 2008. He has more than a decade of experience working for large healthcare systems. John has worked for Orlando Health and Halifax Health in Daytona Beach in Event Marketing Manager roles. More recently John was the Fund Development Officer for Halifax Health-Hospice of Volusia/Flagler.
He has served on the boards for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure - Central Florida Affiliate, Safe Kids of Volusia/Flagler, Life's Journey End of Life Care Coalition and Port Orange Family Days. John was instrumental in the planning of Halifax Health Medical Center's North Tower Groundbreaking Celebration featuring State of Florida Governor Charlie Crist, as well as, Funcoast Classic High School All-Star Games and the World Trade Center Monument Dedication featuring former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.
John is a graduate of the University of Central Florida with a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration.
Currently, John is spearheading the Sharing the Journey Hospice House Capital Campaign for Wuesthoff Hospice & Palliative Care. Wuesthoff Health System recently closed on a two-acre parcel of land on Eyster Boulevard just east of Huntington Lane in Rockledge. The Dr. Jey Pillai Center for Hospice Care will be a 12-bed freestanding Hospice House. The center will lend itself to the area with its unique Old Florida theme inside and outside. A front porch with rocking chairs, as well as, screened patios overlooking a memorial walkway underneath the canopy of oak and pine trees will be sure to provide a serene setting. The project is estimated to cost approximately $5 million. Donors have given $3.8 million putting the project within $1.2 million of its estimated cost. Wuesthoff Health System Foundation is reaching out to inspire some very special people in the community who will make this project a reality as soon as possible. Naming opportunities for the facility are available. In addition, foundations, civic clubs and organizations will be asked to lend their support.
"I am excited to be a part of Chamber 2040 and know that this initiative will encourage other young business professionals to actively participate in the Melbourne-Palm Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. The programs that are are offered to this group will be informative and designed to enhance professional growth."
Rick Kendust, CIA Developers
Government Affairs Committee Liaison
Lauren Murphy, Crowne Plaza Melbourne Oceanfront
Women's Business Council Liaison
Lauren has been employed by Crowne Plaza Melbourne Oceanfront since 2007 and currently holds the position of Catering Sales Manager / Certified Wedding Planner. Lauren's main responsibilities are overseeing weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, rehearsal dinners, fundraisers and many other social events held at the hotel. Crowne Plaza currently employs over 150 employees specializing in a variety of different areas of hospitality.
In addition to Chamber 2040 Lauren is a member of The Brevard County Bridal Association and the Bridal Society.
Lauren was raised in Eatontown, New Jersey. In 2001 Lauren relocated to Orlando where she attended the University of Central Florida and received a bachelor's degree in communications. After graduating college Lauren moved to Indialantic and began working for a local wedding planning firm before starting her exciting career with the Crowne Plaza. In her free time she enjoys traveling with her fiancé and spending time with her family and friends. Lauren takes full advantage of living in Florida by spending her time on the beach, jogging, and playing softball.
Steve Brandon, Prudential Sterling Properties
Membership Committee Liaison
Employment
- Sales-Associate at Prudential Sterling Properties selling and listing residential real estate from 7-1-06 to present
- Vice President of Operations at Brandon Properties Inc. dealing with leasing and day to day landlord activities 2-1-02 - Present
- Real Estate Investor in Residential Homes
Education
- Graduate-REALTOR Institute at Melbourne Area Association of Realtors from 2008 - Present
- Brevard Community College from 2001-2002
- Attended University of Central Florida Studying Business Administration from 1998-2001
- Satellite High School 1995-1998
Local Memberships
- Melbourne Area Association of Realtors 2006 - Present
- Chamber of Commerce of Melbourne and Palm Bay 2002 - Present
- Chamber 20/40 Membership Liaison
- Kiwi Tennis Club, Indian Harbour Beach, Fl 2007 - Present
Hobbies and Activities
- Tennis
- Traveling
- Boating
- Fishing
- Snow Skiing
Born and Raised in Satellite Beach Florida
Shelley Bowman, American Business Interiors
Marketing Committee Liaison
Shelley has been with American Business Interiors since early 2006, in a Business Development role, in addition to working alongside the President of ABI in various Marketing Initiatives & consulting. She has over 13 years of experience in Consulting & strategic planning, Business Development, Multi-media/Marketing, and building partnerships. In this current role she assists in growing new business, while project managing and coordinating all installations. Specifically her focus for the past 3 years has been in the Healthcare Industry, working with such clients as Health First, MIMA, Osler, the Back Center and many more local physician groups, helping to achieve their goals of "a better patient care experience". Shelley played an integral part providing ABI with greater community awareness and visibility, including the launch of Brevard's 1st Interiors Healthcare Expo.
Shelley believes in giving back to the community, and has served on several boards including: FIT Athletic Committee, EDC's Ad Valorem Tax Abatement Committee, Palm Bay Committee 100, Melbourne-Palm Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, as well as having created her own Commercial Network Circle group.
She is a Canadian Native - born in Toronto, Ontario, and graduate from Lakehead University with a Bachelors Degree in Marketing & Advertising.
"This is an exciting time to see a energetic group like Chamber 2040 rise through the Melbourne-Palm Bay Areas Chamber of Commerce, in fulfilling the need for business professionals under- 40 to continue develop their business networks, relationships and interests even further with other like-minded professionals. I'm privileged to be apart of Chamber 2040, who is leading the way for our future leaders of Brevard."
Julie Braga, Residence Inn & Courtyard by Marriott
Convention & Visitor's Bureau Liaison
Julie Braga graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2000 with a Bachelors in Science concentrating in Business Administration & Marketing. She has worked for 10 years at both the Courtyard & Residence Inn by Marriott locations in Melbourne, FL. Over that time, she has excelled at the following positions: Front Desk, Sales Coordinator, Operations Manager overseeing Front Desk, Restaurant, & Housekeeping, Sales Manager, Director of Sales, with her most recent elevation being the Area Director of Sales for both the Melbourne Courtyard and Residence Inn by Marriott.
Julie also spent one year living and working in Bermuda. She was the Supervising Reservations Manager at Ariel Sands, a cottage colony hotel owned by Michael Douglas.
Striving to make an impact on the community, she currently serves on the Melbourne-Palm Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Women's Business Council, the Melbourne-Palm Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Visitor Bureau Steering Committee, the Melbourne-Palm Bay Area Chamber of Commerce 2040 Advisory Board, Member of Young Professionals of Brevard, the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Survivorship Committee, West Melbourne Business Association Board Member, Brevard Business Leadership Network Board Member, and on the Economic Development Commission as a Board Member.
Brendan McCarthy, Stifel Nicolaus
Advisory Board Member
Brendan McCarthy has been a Financial Advisor for 11 years, currently with Stifel Nicolaus in Melbourne as part of the Laughlin, McCarthy, Potter Wealth Management Group. He provides individuals and businesses with specialized, comprehensive financial guidance for investment, retirement, and estate planning issues.
Brendan is very active in the community. He is a graduate of Leadership Brevard and currently serves on the following Boards; Holy Name of Jesus Church Education Endowment, Brevard Seminole Club, Eau Gallie Yacht Club, Indialantic Youth Soccer and Melbourne-Palm Bay area Chamber of Commerce.
A graduate of Florida State University, Brendan was born and raised in Brevard County. He has been married to his wife, Mary, for 8 years and they have three children.
Rob Beckner, Lightle Commercial
Advisory Board Member
Partner handling all aspects of commercial real estate services in the office arena with LIGHTLE COMMERCIAL, INCORPORATED, Melbourne, Florida. Prior to joining LIGHTLE COMMERCIAL in 2001, Rob spent four years in retail sales management in the Melbourne, Florida area.
Professional services focus primarily on the marketing of office and industrial related
commercial real estate in the Brevard County/Space Coast area. Presently responsible
for assisting in the leasing and/or sale of fifty (50) properties in the Brevard and
Indian River County areas. These properties are marketed through numerous activities
consisting of cold calling, door knocking, community involvement, and general market awareness. These fundamentals
are proven tools in leading the Brevard County Commercial Real Estate Market.
Over the last eight years personally leased and sold over $40,000,000.00 and leased over 950,000 square feet of
office, retail and industrial space throughout Brevard County. Of these deals have tenant represented names
such as Space Coast Harley Davidson, Modus Operandi, Edward Jones, and XL Tech Group to name a few.
Michael Cerow, Cerow & Company CPA
Advisory Board Member
Michael is a Certified Public Accountant with Cerow and Company, C.P.A.s, P.A. which is located in Melbourne. He is a partner with his father, Richard Cerow, and has been with the company for 16 years. Michael has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Richmond.
He currently is the treasurer for the Florida Division of the American Cancer Society, serving on the stewardship, audit and executive committees. He serves on the local board of the American Cancer Society, the Eau Gallie Yacht Club, the Brevard Seminole Club, LEAD Brevard and has served as the treasurer of the Brevard Museum of Art and Science.
Grady Marshall, BankFIRST
Advisory Board Member
Grady Marshall is a second generation native to South Brevard County. He graduated from the University of Florida in 2002 and then moved back to Melbourne in 2003. Grady worked at Glover Oil Company for 3 years and has been with The Bank Brevard/BankFIRST since 2006. BankFIRST has been members of the Melbourne-Palm Bay Chamber for over twelve years. As a credit analyst, Grady underwrites commercial loans and interacts with customers regarding their loan relationships. BankFIRST has been active in the Melbourne/Palm Bay Chamber since X.
Grady Marshall has been very active in the community since returning to Melbourne. He has been on the Corporate Challenge Committee with the Space Coast Early Intervention Center for the past 6 years. Grady joined the Melbourne Rotary Club in 2008 and was elected to Treasurer. The Melbourne Rotary Club was formed in 1927 and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and committed countless hours to the local community. Grady is also the President of the Brevard County Gator Club. The Brevard County Gator Club raises money through out the year to provide scholarships to local high school students planning to attend the University of Florida. Grady is a member of the Young Professionals of Brevard and most recently an Advisory Board member to Chamber 20/40.
Steve Lacey, McClelland, Jones, Lyons, Lacey & Williams
Advisory Board Member
John Luznar, BRPH
Advisory Board Member
Tommy Lesser, Essentials Spa
Advisory Board Member