Florida Trend has officially released the 2026 Florida 500 — the magazine’s seventh annual recognition of the business leaders shaping the direction of the state’s economy. This year, 47 leaders representing Business Development Board of the Palm Beaches member organizations earned a spot on the list, a distinction that reflects the caliber of leadership anchoring Palm Beach County.
The Florida 500 is compiled through a year-long editorial process. Candidates are evaluated not on title or company size alone, but on demonstrated impact beyond their own organizations — the leaders their communities and industries turn to for direction, judgment, and best-practice standards. Community service and philanthropy carry significant weight in the final selection.
Below are the honorees from BDB member organizations, grouped by Florida 500 category.
Finance and Insurance
- Calixto Garcia-Velez of Banesco USA
- Fabiola Brumley of Bank of America
- Stephanie Green of Fifth Third Bank
- Brian Pieninck of Florida Blue
- Nikky Flores of JPMorgan Chase
- Keith Costello of Locality Bank
- Cressman Bronson of PNC Bank
- Scott Cathcart of Truist
Law
- Neisen Kasdin of Akerman LLP
- Gary C. Rosen of Becker & Poliakoff
- Tracy Gerber of Greenberg Traurig
- George LeMieux of Gunster
- Robert Grammig of Holland & Knight
- Gary Lesser of Lesser, Landy, Smith & Siegel
- Harvey Oyer III of Shutts & Bowen
Real Estate
- Rosa Schechter of Avenir Development
- Michael Diblasi of CBRE
- Angelo Bianco of CP Group
- Misha Ezratti of GL Homes
- LaShawn Bates of JLL
- Michael Neal of KAST Construction
- Brian Sudduth of Miller Construction Company
- Scott Moss of Moss Construction
- Neil Merin of NAI/Merin Hunter Codman
- Christina Pappas of The Keyes Company
Health and Life Sciences
- Bo Boulenger of Baptist Health Bethesda Hospital East
- Conor Delaney of Cleveland Clinic
- Amit Rastogi of Jupiter Medical Center
- David Fitzpatrick of Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience
- Matthew Love of Nicklaus Children’s Health System
- John Couris of Tampa General Hospital
Energy
- Brian Matthews of Ampera
- Scott Bores of Florida Power and Light Company
- Helen Wesley of TECO Peoples Gas
Education
- Adam Hasner of Florida Atlantic University
- Harry Moon of Nova Southeastern University
- Ava Parker of Palm Beach State College
Professional Services
- Stephen Riggs of Carr, Riggs and Ingram
- Marc Feigelson of Kaufman Rossin
- Mike Griffin of Savills
Technology, Information, and Media
- Joe York of AT&T
- Daniel Cane of ModMed
Logistics and Transportation
- Patrick Goddard of Brightline
Agriculture
- Pepe Fanjul Jr. of Florida Crystals Corporation
Retail and Wholesale
- Holly Borgmann of ADT
Legends
- Dale Hedrick of Hedrick Brothers Construction
- Mike Pappas of Illustrated Properties
Why These Leaders Invest in the BDB Mission
The leaders on this list are not simply BDB members. They are active participants in the organization’s work — serving on the board of directors, chairing industry task forces, steering council strategy, mentoring interns, hosting executive convenings, and opening doors that advance economic development across the region. They invest in the BDB’s mission because they understand that the strength of Palm Beach County depends on coordinated private sector leadership — and because their participation gives them a direct voice in the strategies shaping where capital, talent, and investment flow next.
Their investment in BDB is an investment in the community that enables their companies to scale.
How They Contribute to Palm Beach County’s Transformative Economy
Every honoree on this list is part of the leadership base that has taken Palm Beach County from a seasonal market to one of the fastest-rising economies in the country. Collectively, their companies employ tens of thousands of local residents, generate billions in investment, fund the civic and philanthropic institutions that define the community, and attract the next wave of corporate relocations through the credibility only established leadership can provide.
When the editors of Florida Trend recognize 47 of these leaders in one class, the signal is clear: Palm Beach County is where Florida’s most consequential business decisions are being made.
Congratulations to each of the honorees, and thank you for the leadership you bring to Palm Beach County every day.
Explore more about BDB membership, the companies choosing Palm Beach County, or how the Business Development Board of the Palm Beaches supports employers at every stage.
The Business Development Board of the Palm Beaches is the official economic development organization for Palm Beach County, recruiting new business, assisting local companies with expansions, and retaining the quality industries that create career opportunities for current and future generations.
