{"id":16804,"date":"2012-05-23T18:49:54","date_gmt":"2012-05-23T18:49:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/biznews.fiu.edu\/?p=16804"},"modified":"2017-11-03T12:03:44","modified_gmt":"2017-11-03T16:03:44","slug":"fiu-honors-developer-tibor-hollo-and-distinguished-alumni-at-2012-entrepreneurship-hall-of-fame","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/biznews.fiu.edu\/2012\/05\/fiu-honors-developer-tibor-hollo-and-distinguished-alumni-at-2012-entrepreneurship-hall-of-fame\/","title":{"rendered":"FIU honors developer Tibor Hollo and distinguished alumni at 2012 Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame."},"content":{"rendered":"

It was a night to salute the stars. What better venue than a stage?<\/p>\n

The stars were four distinguished alumni entrepreneurs from Florida International University\u2019s (FIU) College of Business Administration as well as an iconic Miami developer. The event was the college\u2019s 13th<\/sup> annual Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n

And the stage was one of Miami\u2019s grandest: the Adrienne Arsht Center\u2019s Knight Concert Hall.<\/p>\n

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The 2012 Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame ceremony, \u201cRise: Entrepreneur to Icon,\u201d took place on the stage of the Adrienne Arsht Center\u2019s Knight Concert Hall.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At the sold-out May 3, 2012 event, produced by staff members of FIU Business, Miami developer Tibor Hollo was named 2012 South Florida Entrepreneur of the Year. Also honored: Jason Squillante, (BBA \u201900), CEO, TopSource Staffing, Founder of the Year; Mayi de la Vega (BBA \u201981), owner, ONE Sotheby\u2019s International Realty, Builder of the Year; Alfredo Lardizabal, (BBA \u201994), COO and general manager, MIC Foods, Family Business Award; and Justo Luis Pozo III (BBA \u201907), partner, Gotham Holdings and Energy Kitchen, Young Alum. Finalists of The Miami Herald<\/em> Business Plan Challenge were also recognized.<\/p>\n

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Mark B. Rosenberg, president, FIU; Mayi de la Vega, owner, ONE Sotheby\u2019s International Realty and Builder of the Year Honoree; Justo Luis Pozo III, partner, Gotham Holdings and Young Alum Entrepreneur Honoree; Tibor Hollo, chairman, FECR and Entrepreneur of the Year Honoree; Jason Squillante, Founder, TopSource and Founder of the Year Honoree; Alfredo Lardizabal, CEO, MIC Foods and Family Business Entrepreneur Honoree; and Joyce J. Elam, executive dean, FIU College of Business Administration. Photo: Brett Hufziger<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sponsors of the evening were Morrison, Brown, Argiz & Farra, LLC, and Wells Fargo Bank.<\/p>\n

To start the evening, guests mingled at a cocktail reception in the hall\u2019s expansive lobby. Ushers then led attendees down a corridor, through the backstage door, and onto the stage, which was filled with elegantly set banquet tables. Once seated, the guests enjoyed a three-course dinner, with music provided by classical musicians from FIU\u2019s School of Music.<\/p>\n

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Tony Argiz (BBA \u201974), chairman and CEO, Morrison, Brown, Argiz & Farra, LLC; Roary, Joyce J. Elam and Alfredo Laridizabal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Event salutes entrepreneurs who rise to the occasion. <\/em><\/p>\n

The evening\u2019s theme: \u201cRise: Entrepreneur to Icon,\u201d was brought home by Hollo, who accepted his award as 2012 South Florida Entrepreneur of the Year.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m deeply honored by this recognition from a university that I hold in such high regard and consider to be the most progressive in our community,\u201d said Hollo, chairman of Florida East Coast Realty.<\/p>\n

He offered advice to young entrepreneurs: \u201cWork hard until you get there, and when you get there, work even harder.\u201d<\/p>\n

Each honoree received a short video tribute and an award from Executive Dean Joyce J. Elam.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese are the stories that motivate and drive our students to push forward with their goals and bring them to fruition,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

To date, more than 35 FIU alumni and other business leaders have been inducted.<\/p>\n

The college is now accepting nominees for its 2013 alumni entrepreneurship awards. Nominees must be alumni who have achieved distinction as founders and builders of business enterprises, and have made contributions as community volunteers and philanthropists. To learn more about the awards and to nominate FIU Business alumni, visit https:\/\/business.fiu.edu\/hall-of-fame\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n