On March 28th, 2024, at Killian Palms in Kendall, Florida, the Greater Kendall Business Association hosted its March 2024 Signature Luncheon. The event was partially made possible by the sponsorship of Don Van Orsdel, and we were privileged to have Transportation Expert Alice Bravo from Alice Bravo and Associates as our keynote speaker. The gathering began at 11:30 am, providing ample time for networking before the program commenced promptly at 12 pm.

Wilson Alvarez, the association’s President, acknowledged several notable individuals in attendance at the event. Among them were Bob Feltman, a former chair of GKBA, Alyce Kielman, and Lillian Ser, both former board members. A special mention was made for a dear friend, Mr. Ricardo Forbes of Baptist Health, a retired trustee member, with whom Alvarez often enjoyed post-golf lunch discussions alongside GKBA’s founder, Jorge Peña. These interactions were marked by enriching business conversations, underscoring the significance of their presence at the luncheon.

Michael Miller from Community Newspapers introduced our keynote speaker, Alice Bravo of Alice Bravo & Associates. Alice shared her insights on various county corridors, shedding light on her extensive involvement. Following her informative talk, Alice graciously fielded transportation-related questions from the audience. She also touched on EVTOL technology, a topic close to many hearts, including mine. Like something out of the Jetsons, EVTOL represents an exciting glimpse into the future of transportation, and Alice’s discussion brought that vision to life.

Wilson Alvarez said; “You can tell a speaker has truly captivated the audience when you open the floor for questions and hands shoot up eagerly. It’s an exhilarating moment, a testament to the speaker’s ability to engage and inspire.”

The event was graciously partly sponsored by Don Van Orsdel, who will soon celebrate his 100th anniversary on April 18, 2024. The Greater Kendall Business Association is proud to be a part of this milestone celebration. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Don for his ongoing support and membership with the GKBA. Don’s compassion and reliability have been a source of comfort for my family during difficult times. From laying to rest both my parents and in-laws, Don and his team have always been incredibly caring and attentive to our needs. We offer a special thank you to Don for his awesomeness!

Among the attendees were notable figures such as Nicolas de la Portilla from US Century Bank, recognized as a Rising Star in the banking industry. A delightful surprise came with the visit of Ricardo Forbes, now enjoying retirement after serving as the Chief Diversification Officer for Baptist Health. Additionally, we welcomed Rosalinda O’Neill, the first person to register for the event, and a devoted supporter of our association since 2019.