13TH ANNUAL
George E. Merrick AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE
PRESENTED IN CONCERT WITH THE 7 ANNUAL MERRICK-IN-THE-MAKING AWARDS TH
Sponsored By:
This evening’s distinguished honoree, Ron Shuffield of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty, is an outstanding individual in his own right, whose distinct contributions have enhanced the quality of life in Coral Gables. The namesake of our awards was a special man whose vision created the City of Coral Gables and established our community as one of the nation’s most wonderful places to live, work, learn and play. George Merrick conceived “The City Beautiful” as a magnificent place accented by tropical beauty, architectural splendor and a distinguished cultural heritage. As he built the foundations and landmarks of our community, Merrick also developed and founded many of our noteworthy institutions – including the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, the University of Miami, the Coral Gables Garden Club and The Biltmore Hotel - that would propel his vision far into the future. We are the direct beneficiaries of Merrick’s creativity and personal sacrifices and we owe him an eternal debt of gratitude for the manner in which he enriched our lives. The Allen Morris Company, a long admired corporate citizen and modern steward of Merrick’s legacy, created this honor, and has joined forces with the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce over the past thirteen years to sponsor this evening’s George E. Merrick Awards of Excellence. This unique partnership reflects our shared commitment to smart and sophisticated development that answers local needs, while respecting our aesthetic legacy and charm. In addition, our Chamber and City National Bank will honor three emerging leaders who embody the spirit of a younger George E. Merrick with the seventh annual Merrick-in-the-Making Awards. Honorees will be recognized in three categories: Innovator, Community Builder, and Unsung Hero. We thank City National Bank for joining our Chamber on this journey of recognition and celebration and congratulate them on their 75th anniversary. As we honor our community’s founder, we also declare our determination to continue to advance his ideals and maintain them for future generations. Tonight, we recognize and thank four distinguished honorees for following in George Merrick’s footsteps as we continue to uphold his vision for Coral Gables.
Welcome
Tonight, we celebrate both extraordinary leadership and community service as we present the 13th annual George E. Merrick Awards of Excellence.
About George George E. Merrick
City & Chamber Founder October 10, 1925
George E. Merrick, the founder of our City and Chamber, was a visionary and a community leader who understood the importance of collaboration, consensus and collegiality. What started as a 160-acre plantation, combined with George Merrick’s passion for development, is today a community that blends all aspects of life: education, commerce, aesthetics, and engagement, to become Coral Gables. Named after his childhood home, Coral Gables was Merrick’s vision of paradise nestled along the quiet waters of Biscayne Bay. The George E. Merrick Awards of Excellence celebrate this achievement and seek to recognize outstanding community leaders for their contributions to Coral Gables by honoring the spirit and vision of Merrick with their actions. From community involvement to business acumen, from education and culture to beautification, historic preservation and quality of life, these tenets determine the annual recipient of this award as envisioned by The Allen Morris Company and presented in partnership with the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. Again this year, we acknowledge the gracious support of City National Bank, as we pay homage to emerging leaders who channel the very spirit of a younger George Merrick. On behalf of our Coral Gables Chamber, congratulations to all of our honorees and thank you, Mr. Merrick!
Congratulations to Ron Shuffield, 2021 George E. Merrick Award of Excellence Winner
inspiring spaces to live and work
For over 63 years, The Allen Morris Company has been assisting regional and multinational corporations in locating their office spaces, and landlords with the lease-up of their buildings. Contact us for a complimentary consultation on your company’s or landlord requirements. Thad Adams Senior Vice President at AMCO & Chair-Elect of Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Tadams@allenmorris.com T: 305.733.5600
Brokerage & Leasing, Property Management, Office, Mixed-Use & Hotel Development 121 Alhambra Plaza, PH 1, Coral Gables, Florida 33134 I AllenMorris.com I 305.443.1000
Awards Program
- Champagne Reception & Entertainment on the Alhambra Terrace The Biltmore Hotel - Welcome & Greetings - Introduction of our Chair of the Board -
Ana Chaoui
Chair of the Board, Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President, Market Manager, Grove Bank & Trust - Our Mistress of Ceremonies -
Sarah Nesbitt Artecona Past Chair
- Remarks & Recognition of Sponsors & Partners - The History of the George E. Merrick Awards of Excellence -
W. Allen Morris
Chairman & CEO, The Allen Morris Company - Special Presentation & Commemoration - 75th Anniversary Celebration City National Bank of Florida - Merrick-in-the-Making Awards Presentation - Merrick-in-the-Making Awardees Innovator Award
Vanessa Liebl | ChoiceMD Community Builder Award
Adrian Nuñez | University of Miami Unsung Hero Award
Mary Snow | Coral Gables Community Foundation - Dinner is Served - Live Auction -
- Presentation of our George E. Merrick Award of Excellence Honoree -
W. Allen Morris Ron Shuffield
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty - Closing Remarks & Farewell -
Ana Chaoui
FROM SETTING THE STANDARD TO GOING THE EXTRA MILE, WE’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT 75 YEARS WITH YOU. A lot has changed since 1946, but one thing that hasn’t is City National Bank’s place at the center of our community, fueling growth through commercial and residential lending services. As we look to the next 75 years, we’re excited to continue igniting, nurturing and growing the future of Florida.
(305) 448-6500
wegrowflorida.com
Paying Homage
VIP Table Sponsors Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty Best Roofing Brasfield and Gorrie City National Bank Doctors Hospital Grove Bank & Trust Juneau Construction Company, LLC MG Developers – Biltmore Parc Homes Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables Miami-Dade Beacon Council The Miami Herald Nicklaus Children’s Hospital PCL Construction PNC Bank Roth & Scholl The Allen Morris Company Trane Truist Bank Zyscovich Architects
Previous Merrick Award Winners
2008 - Arva Moore Parks * 2009 - Betsy Adams 2010 - James “Jim” T. Barker * 2011 - Wayne “Chip” Withers, Jr. 2012 - Charles “Chuck” Cobb 2013 - Robert J. Fewell * 2014 - Barbara Stein 2015 - William H. Kerdyk, Jr. 2016 - Mayor Dorothy Thomson 2017 - Dona M. Spain 2018 - John P. Fullerton 2019 - Mayor James C. Cason
*Deceased
Excellence. Achievement. Celebration.
Ron Shuffield
We extend our warmest congratulations to Ron Shuffield, member of Doctors Hospital’s Operating Board and chair of Doctors Hospital’s Board Nominating Committee as the 2021 recipient of the George E. Merrick Award of Excellence. We salute you for your outstanding work in the community.
BaptistHealth.net
Tonight’s Honoree
13TH ANNUAL
George E. Merrick AWARD OF EXCELLENCE HONOREE
Ron Shuffield is President & CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty (BHHS EWM Realty), a 57-year old real estate brokerage, founded in Coral Gables, Florida in 1964 -- now with 10 offices in South Florida. As a part-owner of EWM since 1984, Ron sold EWM Realty in 2003 to Berkshire Hathaway’s HomeServices of America. BHHS EWM Realty has 750 associates and staff members who are involved in South Florida residential & commercial real estate sales -- ranked #1 in the number of single-family homes sold across Miami-Dade County valued in excess of $1 million. Ron has been a member of the Miami Association of Realtors since 1977, where he currently serves as a member of their governing body. He is also a founding member of the Beacon Council, Miami-Dade’s economic development agency, where he currently serves as a member of the Executive Committee.
PRESENTED BY
In addition, he previously served as chairman of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce and the Coral Gables Community Foundation. He is a past recipient of the Robert B. Knight Outstanding Citizen Award for his involvement in the Coral Gables Community. He was honored in 2003 as an inductee into the South Florida Business Hall of Fame by The Florida Council on Economic Education; and, in 2010 was selected as one of Miami’s “Ultimate CEOs”. In 2013, he was awarded the “Power Leader” award by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and in 2015, the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce presented him with their Business Leader of the Year award. Ron also serves on the boards of Baptist Health South Florida, The Kirk Foundation and the National Christian Foundation/Miami. Ron is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and has been a member of the University Baptist Church in Coral Gables since 1976, where he is a past chairman of Deacons. He and his wife, Anita, have three grown children.
VANESSA LIEBL
FOUNDER & CEO | CHOICE MD
Outstanding Community Builder Award Honoree ADRIAN NUÑEZ
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI
Merrick-in-the Making
Outstanding Innovator Award Honoree
PRESENTED BY
Unsung Hero Award Honoree MARY SNOW
PRESIDENT & CEO | CORAL GABLES COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Congratulations RON SHUFFIELD
Words cannot express the gratitude we and those across our community feel for your tireless work and dedication in continuing to build upon George Merrick’s vision of our City Beautiful.
Congratulations on being awarded The George E. Merrick Award! Thank You For Your Leadership. Your Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty Family
Handsome Looks Good on You! Mangiamo
Live Auction
Gentlemen, it’s time to treat yourself! The Well Groomed Gentleman joins forces with our Chamber to make sure you look and feel your best!
Experience the flavors of Italia while never having to hop on a flight. With this live auction package, you’ll experience the fabulous fare found at Casa Tua, Portosole, and Forte by Chef Adrianne.
Get a Room!
Our Chamber conference room, that is. Our fully integrated, state of the art Allen Morris Company Conference Room is perfectly equipped and ready to host your next board meeting or corporate seminar.
Get in the Game!
Sports fanatics, this one’s designed especially for you! Get in on the action with two tickets to each of the following sporting events: Miami Heat with access to the Flagship Lounge and dinner for two, Inter FC, Florida Panthers plus food and parking and two tickets to see The Weekend in concert!
How ‘Bout Them Dolphins!?
The perfect season still has us up in our feels as we celebrate our very own Miami Dolphins. Enjoy 4 VIP suite tickets, with parking, and let’s cheer on the home team…Miami Dolphins Number 1!
Up Up and Away
I want to fly away! Book your next adventure on American Airlines - with 100,000 air miles. Three opportunities to fly!
We’ll See You at All our Events
Every. Single. One. In-person, virtual or hybrid. Now, that’s a Wow! From January 2022 until August 2022!
Book it, Dano!
Dine and have a great time with City of Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago, Board Chair Ana Chaoui and Chamber President & CEO (@MisterCoralGables on Insta, that is) for this PRICELESS and one-of-a-kind lunch date.
...and there’s more!
Dedicated to Cause and Community Congratulations, Ron Shuffield, on receiving the distinguished “George Merrick Award of Excellence.” Presented annually by the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with The Allen Morris Company, the Merrick Award is our community and Chamber’s highest honor.
Ron Shuffield
President & CEO Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty Kreps PR & Marketing is honored to have been working with you for more than three decades, and we look forward to many more years ahead!
PR & MARKETING A B R A N D S TA R C O M PA N Y
The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce gratefully acknowledges the following sponsors for their generous support of our 2021 Annual Conference!
PREMIER SPONSORS
CORPORATE SPONSORS
SUPPORTING SPONSORS
CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS CORAL GABLES MAGAZINE | SMILES & SONRISAS
Our Sponsors
PRESENTED BY
THE BEST OF CORAL GABLES
To understand the essence of a community’s character, one must go beyond the surface level and take a deep look at George Merrick's original vision that give his buildings a high degree of artistic quality and originality. MG developer faithfully follow his legacy, materializing with excellence of quality products and widespread relevance with the finest luxury residences. Transforming into one of the most sophisticated enclaves, MG Developer’s attention to fine details complement the classic charm of Coral Gables with a look toward its bold future. Punctuated by nearby Balboa Plaza with an oversized stone bench serving as an outdoor living room, MG Developer’s projects elevate the standard of Coral Gables living.
Schedule a tour to learn more about our new projects. 305.422.1249
www.MGDeveloperMiami.com ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY THE DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. Obtain the property report required by federal law and read it before signing anything. No federal agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. This offering is made only by the Prospectus for the condominium and no statement should be relied upon if not made in the Prospectus for an offer to sell, or solicitation of offers to buy, the condominium units in states where such offer or solicitation cannot be made. We are pledged to the letter and the spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, handicap, familial status or national origin.
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Cheers to you, Ron Shuffield
A heartfelt congratulations from your partners at Havas House and Republica Havas on this outstanding honor. We admire and respect your vision and dedication to our community. Bravo!
“VISION is the ART OF SEEING what is INVISIBLE to others.” –JONATHAN SWIFT
THE CORAL GABLES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
@GABLESCHAMBER
#AC2021