West Boca Chamber of Commerce: News

Marmor Elected Vice Chair of the West Boca Chamber of Commerce

Seth Marmor, partner in Shapiro, Blaise, Wasserman & Gora, P.A. has been elected vice-chair of the West Boca Chamber of Commerce. He will become Chair in 2012. Current vice-chair Jeff Karsin, partner in American Financial Consultants, moves up to Chair-elect and will become Chair in 2011. Remaining officers include: Jeffrey Schildkraut, National Planning Corporation 2010 Chair; Sandy Fagan, Wachovia Bank, Treasurer; Tom Kruse, Sir Speedy Margate, Immediate Past Chair and Barry R. Epstein, CCE, APR, Ced, barry r. epstein associates, president.

West Boca Chamber Opposes Proposed Amendment 4

The West Boca Chamber of Commerce has joined the growing list of Chambers of Commerce and other business organizations in opposition to Amendment 4, which would greatly limit business development in Florida.
“Our board of directors took this position, because economic development is vital to our area in creating job opportunities for our residents”, said Jeffrey Schildkraut, Chair of the Chamber.
“We want to keep our workforce and young people here in Florida, instead of forcing them to move out of state because of the lack of positions”, he concluded.

New Board members appointed

West Boca Chamber of Commerce chair Jeffrey Schildkraut, National Planning Corporation, has appointed four new members to the board of directors. They include: Madellne Evans-Ervin, Law Offices of Madeline C. Evans-Ervin PLLC; Lynn Fedoriw, CPA, Lynn A. Fedoriw, CPA, P.A.; Jonathan Rausch, Alexander Insurance; and Bernie Schaffer, Shaffer & Sons Uniforms. They will serve the remainder of unexpired terms.

March 25 network at the New York Comedy Club

The March 25 network from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. will be at the New York Comedy Club, 8221 Glades Road, Suite 10, just west of the Turnpike. Costs are $10 for members and first time guests, $35 for returning guests, if reserved by Wednesday March. 24 at 4 p.m.; $15 for members, and first time guests, $40 for returning guests, if reserved after 4 p.m. March 24 and $20 for members and first time guests, $45 for returning guests, at the door. RSVP to info@westbocachamber.com.

WestPAC endorses Feb. 2 primary election candidates

WestPAC, the political action committee of the West Boca Chamber of Commerce have endorsed a Repubiican and Democrat in the Feb. 2 District 19 Congressional primary election for the seat vacated by former U.S. Representative Robert Wexler.

“The committee endorsed Ed Lynch in the republican primary and Ted Deutch in the Democratic primary,” according to WestPAC chair Jeff Karsin, president of American Financial Consultants.

The winners of each primary will debate at the West Boca Chamber of Commerce 7:30 a.m. Dec. 9 breakfast sponsored by Sun Bank at Boca Lago Country Club and moderated by political activist Andre Fladell.

Details and costs to attend are on the West Boca Chamber website, www.westbocachamber.com. -30-

FBI agent: Corruption is nations' No. 1 threat

By Alexandra Clough

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
As 2009 draws to a close, the fabric of society is being torn apart by corruption. So says the top Federal Bureau of Investigations agent for South Florida.

In a speech resembling a morality pep talk, John Gillies, the FBI special agent in charge of the Miami division, last week gave a summary of his office's caseload to a West Boca Chamber of Commerce meeting. He also outlined the FBI's priorities, which include reining in corruption, a problem Gillies deemed the nation's No. 1 threat.

Gillies regaled about 70 attendees with tales of his work investigating politicians, judges and attorneys in prior FBI postings across the country. These FBI targets all displayed an unhealthy thirst for money, power and greed, he said. Closer to home, Gillies cited the corruption cases of former West Palm Beach City Commissioners Ray Liberti and Jim Exline as local examples of wrongdoing. And he warned that these types of crimes would be a prime focus of his office. "Public service is a public trust," he said.

So why do society's leaders so often lose their moral compasses?

Gillies said transgressors are adept at rationalizing their untrustworthy behavior. He gave examples of the types of excuses that FBI agents typically hear: "I'm not hurting anybody." Or "I deserve this." And especially: "Everybody does it."

But rationalization isn't OK, Gillies said, whether it's coming from an elected official, an attorney or a golf icon.

Yes, Gillies even had harsh words for Tiger Woods, now caught in an ethics scandal involving allegations of his adultery with a virtual harem of women. Speaking of Woods' wife, Elin, he said, "She trusted Tiger, and he violated that trust. For kids who look up to him, it's disappointing."

Of more relevance to Gillies is the escalation in crimes ranging from health care fraud to investment scams. At the year anniversary of the Bernard Madoff swindle, money scams are up 42 percent in South Florida alone, he said.

Front and center in the scam department is the widening probe of ex-lawyer Scott Rothstein and the $1 billion Ponzi scheme he is alleged to have orchestrated. Federal prosecutors have charged Rothstein with racketeering and money laundering. In the charges, they also allege Rothstein and his co-conspirators paid bonuses to employees as payback for contributions to political candidates, in violation of campaign finance laws.

Gillies gave scant detail on the investigation of Rothstein and his former firm, Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler, one of the state's most politically connected law firms. RRA has local ties: It used to have an office in Boca Raton and a county commissioner on the payroll. "If you've come to hear about Scott Rothstein, you've been victimized. It's an ongoing case, and I can't talk about it," Gillies said. (Speaking generally, Gillies did say the government would pursue the bosses who paid fake bonuses to employees.)

Gillies said the recession is a prime factor in the proliferation of investment scams. Investors looking to make returns better than a bank account paying 1 percent are lured by schemes offering 15 percent, 18 percent or even 20 percent returns, he said. Everyone gets tripped up by greed, and the cycle of victims and criminals begins again.

In his closing remarks, Gillies admonished attendees to be good. "The worst day at work is still better than the best day in jail," he said.

West Boca Chamber Elects New officers for 2010 - Honors 3 for outstanding service

Jeff Schildkraut, National Planning Corporation, has been elected Chair of the West Boca Chamber of Commerce for 2010. He served as Chair-Elect in 2009. Also elected were Katherine Van Brocklin, Mercantile Bank as Chair-Elect; Jeff Karsin, American Financial Consultants as Vice-Chair; and Sandra Fagan, Wachovia Bank as Treasurer. Continuing as president is Barry R. Epstein, barry r. epstein associates, inc. as president and 2009 Chair Tom Kruse, Sir Speedy Margate, will serve as Immediate Past Chair.

The Chamber also honored three members for outstanding service in 2009. Business of the Year was Mitch Feldman, CEO of West Boca Medical Center, who was also honored as Outstanding Medical Professional in South Florida; Sandra Fagan as Leader of the Year, and Armand Guynup as volunteer of the year. The presentations were made at the December breakfast featuring John Gillies, Special Agent in Charge Miami FBI.

The December 17 holiday network will be held at Boca Dunes Country Club. Details at www.westbocachamber.com.

The January 12 7:30 a.m. breakfast at Boca Lago Country Club, sponsored by SunTrust Bank, will feature the Super Bowl with noted South Florida sportscaster Tony Segreto as guest speaker.

West Boca Chamber now on Facebook

The Board of Directors authorized a Facebook page for the Chamber. If you are already on Facebook, put West Boca Chamber of Commerce in the search bar and sign up. If you are not a member of Facebook yet, go to www.facebook.com and register.

West Boca Chamber To Create Community Foundation

The West Boca Chamber of Commerce will create a community foundation, announced Tom Kruse, Chair of the Chamber.
“There are so many needs in West Boca that can easily be met by the formation of a community foundation”, said Kruse. “Both businesses and residents can take advantage of the tax deduction by contributing to such an entity at the same time by helping worthy causes.”
Previously the Chamber created a political action committee to be able to endorse candidates.
The West Boca Chamber of Commerce is the fastest growing Chamber in the local area with over 180 members in 15 months. Upcoming events include a network this Thursday, Oct. 23 at Miller’s West Boca Ale House from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., a November 11 breakfast at the Gardens Memorial Park from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and a November 20 network at Ben’s Kosher Deli from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Further information is at www.westbocachamber.com or by calling 562.382.9333. -30-

West Boca Chamber of Commerce Diplomats

West Boca Chamber of Commerce Diplomats are a select, motivated and informed group of Chamber members who take great pride in representing the Chamber. Diplomats are committed to expanding their knowledge of Chamber affairs and are recognized as very reliable sources of information. They must be able to answer questions about the Chamber and be willing to continually advance their skills as the public relations arm of the Chamber.
Diplomats serve as the backbone of the Chamber’s membership and marketing program. Their efforts include staffing regularly scheduled Chamber functions, meeting and welcoming every new Chamber member at the Chamber breakfasts and networks, and securing new members, as well as contacting existing members for renewals.
Diplomats earn recognition and prizes, including a special Diplomat Badge, free admissions to the networks and are eligible for gift certificates from area restaurants with monthly drawings for those who have brought in new members or renewals.
Diplomats meet on the fourth Tuesday of every month from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Chamber board room, 20283 State Road 7, Suite # 300. If you are interested in becoming a Diplomat, or would like more information, please contact Membership Representative Joanne Epstein at 561.945.0000 or email to info@westbocachamber.com.

West Boca Chamber Creates Political Action Committee

Contrary to popular opinion, it is illegal for Chambers of Commerce to endorse candidates for public office. As a result Political Action Committees (PACs) are created to allow business and professional organizations to support political candidates and contribute to their campaigns.
So it is that the West Boca Chamber of Commerce, just one year old, with 180 members, has created WestPAC, their political action committee. Candidates will be interviewed and endorsements will be announced as soon as the process is completed.
Donations to WestPAC are encouraged and checks may be made out to WestPAC and mailed to Suite #300, 20283 State Road 7, Boca Raton, Fl 33498.
“We hope that businesses, professionals and residents will contribute to this effort”, said WestPAC Chairman Jeff Karsin, president of American Financial Consultants.
Serving as Secretary of the PAC is Attorney Fred DeBerardinis and Treasurer is Ed Vasquez, Bank United.
In addition to individual checks, a golf tournament is planned to fund the PAC, headed by Armand Guynup, Executive Vice President of Al Hendrickson Toyota.
For further information, contact WestPAC president Barry Epstein at 561.852.0000. -30-

Win a Free $50 dinner certificate just for referring a business who joins!

Want to enjoy a complimentary dinner at Cucino Mio on Jog Road in Delray Beach? Just refer a business who joins the Chamber and you will be entered in a drawing once a month for a $50 gift certificatefrom Wendy Rosano. May entries start right now, so call Chamber membership representative Joanne Epstein at 561.945.0000, after you have signed up a new member. Applications are right on the website. Just have them fill it out and faxed to 561.451.0000. They can either pay the membership on line, or mail their check directly to the Chamber office.

weekly networking group available to Chamber members only

West Boca Leaders are a referral network of business and professional people. Its purpose is to refer and do business with other members. Membership is made up of individuals of high integrity representing different fields of endeavor, limited to only one member from each field. Members are sponsored or solicited by other members, specifically selecting people who they personally have done or plan to do business with. Membership is a privilege with integrity and commitment expected of all members. Members are expected to be prompt and attend regularly for the hour, considering the meetings as a business appointment and can not be a member of any other local networking group in the area, as no other networking group memberships in the Boca area are allowed. West Boca Leaders meet weekly at the Bagel Tree Restaurant, 9080 Kimberly in the Boca Hamptons Shopping Center on the southwest corner with Lyons between Glades and Yamato. WBL meets Wednesdays from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. with a full breakfast for $400 annually, including breakfast every week, Call 561.852.0000 to insure category availability.