WIT-MIAMI AWARDS MIAMI'S
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESSWOMEN OF THE YEAR

MIAMI – November 17, 2004 – The Miami Chapter of the Organization of Women in International Trade (WIT-Miami) held its fourth annual INTERNATIONAL BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS last week (Nov. 10th) at the Omni Colonnade in Coral Gables to recognize outstanding women in the Miami community for the role they play in enhancing international trade and business in South Florida through their professional, and/or community activities.  The winners and finalists in each of three categories were:

LARGE COMPANY (over 200 employees):

  • Winner:  Ana Guevara, Vice President, Corporate Affairs for the Americas, United Parcel Service

  • Finalist:  Klaudia Bermudez-Key, General Manager and VP, Latin America, Sony Pictures Television Intl
     

  • Finalist:  Beatrice Rangel, President and CEO, AMLA Consulting

SMALL TO MEDIUM COMPANY (200 employees or less):

  • Winner:  Carole Ann Taylor, President, Miami to Go, Inc. and Little Havana To Go, LLC
     

  • Finalist:  Monique Hamaty-Simmonds, President, Tortuga Rum Cake Company
     

  • Finalist:  Genie Medina Milgrom, Vice President, Farma International

SERVICE PROVIDER (any size):

  • Winner:  Irene Marie, President, Irene Marie Management Group
     

  • Finalist:  Betsy S. Atkins, President & CEO, Baja, LLC
     

  • Finalist:  Elba Hentschel, Regional Executive Director, U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce

The members of the WIT Board also presented a special award to one of their own, Lisa Landy, an attorney and shareholder with Akerman Senterfitt & Eidson P.A., for her leadership, vision and many contributions to WIT-Miami and to the community.  Jill Beach of Jill Beach Productions, Inc. was the Mistress of Ceremonies and Angela Gittens, Director of the Miami-Dade Aviation Department and Miami International Airport presented an engaging Keynote Address.  Ms. Gittens described the impact of this key strategic asset on the local economy, and highlighted present and future challenges and opportunities.  Last year, proceeds from the event funded two scholarships awarded to two women attending Barry University’s international business program.

WIT-MIAMI is a networking and informational organization established in 1993 to promote international trade and commerce. It Is one of 40 chapters in the Organization for Women in International Trade (OWIT) who has 5,200 members worldwide.
For more information on WIT, write to daisy.pagan@ey.com