Akerman Senterfitt's Cecelia Bonifay Elected to the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission's Board of Directors
Addition of Ms. Bonifay Brings Valued Leadership in Green and Sustainable Development to Orlando EDC
October 15, 2009
Akerman Senterfitt today announced that shareholder and Board Member Cecelia Bonifay has been elected to the Board of Directors for the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission (EDC). Ms. Bonifay serves as the chair of Akerman’s Green and Sustainable Development practice and is widely recognized as a leader in land use and environmental law in Florida. Ray Gilley, EDC President & CEO recently announced the 2009-2010 officers and Board of directors at the commission’s annual meeting.
In outlining plans for the coming year, Mr. Gilley noted that, "With unemployment in Central Florida hovering in the ten-percent range, the EDC's mission of job creation and industry diversification is more important than ever before."
“This is a pivotal time for Orlando and the state of Florida, in that there are many new and challenging opportunities for investors and the business community as the region begins to emerge from the recession,” said Charles Brumback, Office Managing Shareholder for Akerman's Orlando office. “We are very pleased that the Metro Orlando EDC has selected Cecelia to contribute her leadership to the organization. Her knowledge of the real estate industry, specifically in the emerging field of sustainable development, will be a tremendous asset to the EDC, as it is to Akerman's clients.”
At Akerman, Ms. Bonifay chairs the firm’s Green and Sustainable Development practice comprised of more than 35 attorneys and consultants in 8 offices across the U.S. Under her leadership, the group is now recognized as a market leader in Florida and nationally. She is one of the few land use attorneys in Florida recognized by both Chambers USA and The Legal 500 US. She is also featured in The Best Lawyers in America 2009, where she is recognized for Environmental, Real Estate, and Land Use & Zoning Law. Ms. Bonifay is a former recipient of Real Estate Florida's "Women of Influence" award and the Florida Real Estate Journal's "Top Women in Real Estate" award.
Akerman's Green and Sustainable Development attorneys are currently representing private and public sector clients, both nationally and regionally, on a range of green building matters. Clients include commercial and residential developers, real estate investment funds, and non-profit and governmental organizations.
Akerman has more than 140 lawyers who focus on the needs of real estate and infrastructure clients worldwide. The team offers experience in complex real estate transactions, development and redevelopment projects, economic development incentives, public-private initiatives and litigation matters. Akerman lawyers manage the legal aspects of large land deals and major construction projects, assist developers in meeting environmental regulations and green building standards, conceptualize and obtain development incentives, advise on all aspects of transactional work, including leasing, acquisitions, sales, financings and workouts and restructurings, and represent clients in disputes and litigation.
The Metro Orlando EDC was founded in 1977 and has successfully assisted thousands of companies as they relocate, expand and grow in Metro Orlando. The EDC's efforts have led to the creation of more than 158,000 jobs; over $8.8 billion in capital investment; and almost 75 million square feet of office and industrial space leased or constructed. The EDC serves Orange, Seminole, Lake and Osceola counties and the City of Orlando.
About Akerman Senterfitt
Akerman is ranked among the Top 100 law firms in the U.S. by The National Law Journal NLJ 250 (2008) in number of lawyers and is the largest firm in Florida. With more than 500 lawyers and government affairs professionals, we serve clients from major business centers in Florida, New York, Washington, D.C., California, Virginia, Colorado, and Texas. For additional information, please visit the firm's Web site at www.akerman.com.
Contact:
Syvenna Siebert
RF|Binder Partners, Inc.
(212) 994-7605
Syvenna.Siebert@rfbinder.com
Pat Tucker
RF|Binder Partners, Inc.
(212) 994-7561
patrick.tucker@rfbinder.com
In outlining plans for the coming year, Mr. Gilley noted that, "With unemployment in Central Florida hovering in the ten-percent range, the EDC's mission of job creation and industry diversification is more important than ever before."
“This is a pivotal time for Orlando and the state of Florida, in that there are many new and challenging opportunities for investors and the business community as the region begins to emerge from the recession,” said Charles Brumback, Office Managing Shareholder for Akerman's Orlando office. “We are very pleased that the Metro Orlando EDC has selected Cecelia to contribute her leadership to the organization. Her knowledge of the real estate industry, specifically in the emerging field of sustainable development, will be a tremendous asset to the EDC, as it is to Akerman's clients.”
At Akerman, Ms. Bonifay chairs the firm’s Green and Sustainable Development practice comprised of more than 35 attorneys and consultants in 8 offices across the U.S. Under her leadership, the group is now recognized as a market leader in Florida and nationally. She is one of the few land use attorneys in Florida recognized by both Chambers USA and The Legal 500 US. She is also featured in The Best Lawyers in America 2009, where she is recognized for Environmental, Real Estate, and Land Use & Zoning Law. Ms. Bonifay is a former recipient of Real Estate Florida's "Women of Influence" award and the Florida Real Estate Journal's "Top Women in Real Estate" award.
Akerman's Green and Sustainable Development attorneys are currently representing private and public sector clients, both nationally and regionally, on a range of green building matters. Clients include commercial and residential developers, real estate investment funds, and non-profit and governmental organizations.
Akerman has more than 140 lawyers who focus on the needs of real estate and infrastructure clients worldwide. The team offers experience in complex real estate transactions, development and redevelopment projects, economic development incentives, public-private initiatives and litigation matters. Akerman lawyers manage the legal aspects of large land deals and major construction projects, assist developers in meeting environmental regulations and green building standards, conceptualize and obtain development incentives, advise on all aspects of transactional work, including leasing, acquisitions, sales, financings and workouts and restructurings, and represent clients in disputes and litigation.
The Metro Orlando EDC was founded in 1977 and has successfully assisted thousands of companies as they relocate, expand and grow in Metro Orlando. The EDC's efforts have led to the creation of more than 158,000 jobs; over $8.8 billion in capital investment; and almost 75 million square feet of office and industrial space leased or constructed. The EDC serves Orange, Seminole, Lake and Osceola counties and the City of Orlando.
About Akerman Senterfitt
Akerman is ranked among the Top 100 law firms in the U.S. by The National Law Journal NLJ 250 (2008) in number of lawyers and is the largest firm in Florida. With more than 500 lawyers and government affairs professionals, we serve clients from major business centers in Florida, New York, Washington, D.C., California, Virginia, Colorado, and Texas. For additional information, please visit the firm's Web site at www.akerman.com.
Contact:
Syvenna Siebert
RF|Binder Partners, Inc.
(212) 994-7605
Syvenna.Siebert@rfbinder.com
Pat Tucker
RF|Binder Partners, Inc.
(212) 994-7561
patrick.tucker@rfbinder.com
