The 13th Annual Beacon Awards salutes business achievers

For Immediate Release Media Contact: Maria Camacho mcamacho@beaconcouncil.com (305) 579-1341 The 13th Annual Beacon Awards salutes business achievers  (Miami, FL - March 26, 2015) - More than 500 business and community leaders are scheduled to attend the sold-out 13th Annual Beacon Awards presented by Florida Power & Light. The awards ceremony to be held at 5:30 p.m. April 2 at the University of Miami Student Activities Center honors Miami-Dade County's corporate citizens and the organizations that strengthen the business community.  "This is our signature event and our yearly opportunity to honor the accomplishments of our business community's standouts," The Beacon Council Chair Donna Abood said. "This year's honorees represent people and organizations making an impact in our local economy." The prestigious Jay Malina Award, sponsored by Wells Fargo and named after the late founder of the first One Community One Goal (OCOG) initiative, will be given to Jorge M. Pérez, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of The Miami-based Related Group. He is being recognized for his leadership and notable contributions to the growth of the Miami-Dade County economy. "There are so many great efforts going on in our County that it was difficult to choose the winners this year," The Beacon Council President & CEO Larry K. Williams said. "The efforts of civic and business leaders in Miami-Dade are coming together in many ways." The Distinguished Award winners are: eMerge Americas: Chairman's Award, sponsored by Florida Blue Miami Lighthouse for the Blind: Education Award, sponsored by Bank of America Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses at Miami Dade College: Judges' Special Award, sponsored by Baptist Health South Florida The Industry Award winners are: KLX Aerospace Solutions: Aviation, sponsored by Suntrust Bank Apollo Bank: Banking & Finance, sponsored by AXA Advisors Miansai: Creative Design, sponsored by Carlton Fields Jorden Burt Venture Hive: Entrepreneurship, sponsored by TD Bank HeartWare: Life Sciences & Healthcare, sponsored by Avison Young and 20/20 Ponce International Air Transport Association (IATA): Hospitality & Tourism sponsored by rbb Public Relations Tierra Nueva Fine Cocoa: Small Business, sponsored by Dosal Tobacco Ryder System: Trade & Logistics, sponsored by FirstBank Winners were chosen by the Judges' Committee, which included The Beacon Council Chair and Past Chairs. The Beacon Awards are made possible by the following supporting sponsors: American Airlines, eMerge Americas, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, the Miami Herald Media Company, Multivision Video & Film, TURKEL brands, The City of Doral and the University of Miami. Thank you to CBS4 news anchors Rick Folbaum and Irika Sargent for moderating the ceremony. About The Beacon Awards The Beacon Awards are a component of the current One Community One Goal (OCOG) initiative to diversify the local economy and promote higher-paying jobs. OCOG was updated from the 1998 original founded and co-chaired by the late Jay T. Malina. Proceeds help fund the The Beacon Council's efforts on behalf of Miami-Dade County businesses to promote the community's assets to the world, diversify our economy and assist local companies with expansion needs. About The Beacon Council The Beacon Council, Miami-Dade County's official economic development partnership, is a not-for-profit, public-private organization that focuses on job creation and economic growth by coordinating community-wide programs; promoting minority business and urban economic revitalization; providing assistance to local businesses in their expansion efforts; and marketing Greater Miami throughout the world. For more information, visit www.beaconcouncil.com. ---end---