 SunTrust Bank President, Miami-Dade County, Nicholas Bustle; College of Business Administration Executive Dean Joyce J. Elam; Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame Inductee (Founder) Margarita Gonzalez (BBA ’06), president and CFO of AccuBANKER, and Rolando Gonzalez, Margarita’s husband and business partner |
The eighth annual Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame (EHOF) Induction Ceremony and Luncheon on May 16, 2007, at Parrot Jungle Island, proved to be the best one to date, with more than 500 guests in attendance. The event again recognized the contributions of the college’s alumni entrepreneurs and other entrepreneurial pioneers in the community to our region’s economy.
Jackie Nespral, NBC 6 news anchor, and Ambrosio Hernandez, Telemundo 51 news anchor, emceed the event alongside Rochelle Broder-Singer, editor of SouthFloridaCEO, Joyce J. Elam, executive dean of the college, and Nicholas Bustle, Miami-Dade County president for SunTrust Bank.
The ceremony’s theme—“Rhythm of Entrepreneurship”—drew its inspiration from the event’s live musical performance featuring special guest artist and two-time Grammy-nominated, singer/songwriter, Elsten “Fulano” Torres. Demian Bellumio (BBA’00), CEO of Hoodiny Entertainment and Elhood.com, provided this musical treat.
 SunTrust Bank President, Miami-Dade County, Nicholas Bustle; College of Business Administration Executive Dean Joyce J. Elam; Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame Inductee (Builder) Antonio Argiz (BBA ’74), managing partner, Morrison, Brown, Argiz, & Farra, LLP. |
During the ceremony itself, Margarita Gonzalez (BBA ‘06), president and CFO, of AccuBANKER, became the first woman ever to be inducted into the Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame in the “Founder” category. Antonio “Tony” Argiz (BBA ’74), managing partner, Morrison, Brown, Argiz, & Farra, LLP, was inducted into the Hall in the “Builder” category.
The 2007 South Florida Entrepreneur of the Year award, given to a non-alumnus/a, was presented to Miriam Lopez, chairman and CEO of TransAtlantic Bank. An outstanding entrepreneur and contributing member to South Florida’s entrepreneurial community, Lopez serves on Florida International University’s Board of Trustees.
“SunTrust is very proud of our long-term involvement with the Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame,” Nicholas Bustle, Miami-Dade County president for SunTrust Bank, told the audience. “Miami and the entire South Florida region were built on the shoulders of small business entrepreneurs, and the economic success and vitality of our region continue to be driven by them. By placing a spotlight on the innumerable entrepreneurial success stories through this event, both the university and SunTrust help grow our business community.”
 SunTrust Bank President, Miami-Dade County, Nicholas Bustle; 2007 South Florida Entrepreneur of the Year Miriam Lopez, chairman and CEO of TransAtlantic Bank; and College of Business Administration Executive Dean Joyce J. Elam |
Returning longtime sponsors of the event included SunTrust Bank, Miami; Morrison, Brown, Argiz, & Farra, LLP; Adorno & Yoss; and media partners NBC 6/Telemundo 51, and SouthFloridaCEO magazine.
“The entrepreneurial spirit drives South Florida, and everyone in the room at this year’s Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame induction could feel the energy it generates. SouthFloridaCEO is honored to be part of this event every year,” said Rochelle Broder-Singer, editor of the magazine.
