Municipal Candidate Exposition at February Meeting

Along with the Presidential Preference Primary (PPP) on March 17, is a non-partisan election for municipal officers – Mayors, Councilmen and Commissioners in the cities, towns and villages in Palm Beach County. When you go out to vote for President Trump in the Republican primary, look toward the bottom of the ballot and vote for your municipal officials as well.

Since the municipal races are non-partisan, the candidates are not allowed to campaign as members of a political party. We as a Republican Club on the other hand, can offer our support to those candidates that share our Republican values. Those who meet that criteria have been invited to this forum. Some are running against each other, others are facing Democrats.

As of February 22, Wayne Posner, Cameron May, Darryl Aubrey, Rick Maharajh, and David Katz have agreed to participate.

City Councils and Commissions are the entry points for many civic leaders who go on to higher office. Even if you do not live in one of these cities, come and hear from the leaders of tomorrow talk about the issues in their jurisdictions. They all need volunteers, contributions, and overall support.

In the table below, click on the candidates’ picture to access their website (if available).

Boynton Beach Seat 4 D + 25	Incumbent	Rick Maharajh	David Katz
Jupiter Seat 1 R + 13	Wayne Posner (incumbent)	Cameron May
North Palm Beach Seat 3 R + 14	Darryl Aubrey (incumbent)	Kathleen Wallenhorst (Conflict)

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Bahamas Relief and Some Holiday Cheer at our December Lunch

The Mitchells will describe the work of the Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line in providing post-Dorian relief on Grand Bahama Island.

As Co Founders of the 501c3 charity Bahamas Relief, they will report on why the charity was formed, the process to develop the organization, how it got its start, the mission of the group, what has transpired since then, what relief has been sent to the Bahamas since Hurricane Dorian hit in September and what work there is left to do.

We will also hear some holiday tunes from a surprise artist and her saxophone accompaniment.

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Anita Mitchell, a former Chairman of the Republican Party of PBC,is the owner and president of The Mitchell Group in West Palm Beach, one of Florida’s best known marketing, event planning, and corporate relations firms. The firm has provided government relations, new business development, and communications services to a wide range of statewide and national clients. Mitchell has also worked such prominent organizations as Florida TaxWatch, Walt Disney World, and the American Film Institute. Currently, she is Vice President, Corporate and Community Relations, with the Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line (BPCL).

As an active leader in the community, Mitchell has served in numerous high-level civic roles. She has been a board member with the Leukemia Society, the American Cancer Society, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, and the Florida Department of Children & Families Health and Human Services Board. She was the first woman elected President of The Forum Club of the Palm Beaches.

Kimberly Mitchell is a former West Palm Beach City Commissioner who served from 2002 to 2015. During her tenure on the Commission, Kimberly was a leading proponent of water supply management for the City and region. Having been a leader during numerous droughts, water shortages and polluted water releases from Lake Okeechobee, she understood that in order to assure a lasting water supply, with good quality water at an affordable price, a comprehensive restoration of the Everglades system would be required as part of the solution for water supply.

Kimberly has a well-rounded career that includes working as a governmental affairs professional in Tallahassee where she specialized in local and state representation – and managed local, state and national campaigns.

Probably her most memorable client was the iconic Everglades protector George Barley. In 1994, Kimberley cut her teeth on Everglades restoration when she was part of the team that got Everglades Forever passed in the Florida legislature.

For the past 13 years, in addition to serving as a prominent City Commissioner in Palm Beach County, Kimberly was a managing director for a national investment bank and served accounts throughout Florida, including the South Florida Water Management District.

Congressman Brian Mast at our Veterans Lunch on 11/6

Congressman Mast, currently serving in his second term for District 18, will bring us up to date on the state of play in Congress. With the Democrats irrational attempt at impeaching the President likely sucking the air out of the House of Representatives for the foreseeable future, there will not likely be much Legislation to talk about. He can share with us the prospects for trade agreements, the Federal budget, 2nd amendment issues, and closer to home – water issues in Florida.

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Prior to his election to Congress, Brian followed in his father’s footsteps by serving in the U.S. Army for more than 12 years, earning medals including The Bronze Star Medal, The Army Commendation Medal for Valor, The Purple Heart Medal, and The Defense Meritorious Service Medal. While deployed in Afghanistan, he worked as a bomb disposal expert under the elite Joint Special Operations Command. The last improvised explosive device that he found resulted in catastrophic injuries, which included the loss of both of his legs.

While lying in bed recovering at Walter Reed Medical Center, Brian’s father gave him advice that has stuck with him to this day–to ensure the greatest service he gave to our country and the best example he set for his children was still ahead of him. Brian took this advice to heart and dedicated himself to finding new ways to serve our country and his community.

Brian remained on active duty following the injuries and provided expertise to the National Nuclear Security Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms during his recovery process. After his retirement from the Army, he continued working in counter-terrorism and national defense as an Explosive Specialist with the Department of Homeland Security. Brian subsequently received a degree from Harvard University and volunteered to serve alongside the Israel Defense Forces to show support for the freedom Israel represents throughout the Middle East and the world.

In Congress, Brian strives to serve as he did on the battlefield: without regard for personal gain or personal sacrifice. He is a member of two committees:

• The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where his priorities include fixing the pressing water quality issues stemming from Lake Okeechobee
• The Foreign Affairs Committee, where he uses his military expertise to help strengthen the safety and security of the United States

Brian lives in Palm City, Fla. with his wife Brianna and four children: Magnum, Maverick, Madalyn and Major.

Armand Grossman on American Exceptionalism

What is it about our country that sets us apart from all others? Some would say the uniqueness of our founding with rights derived from our creator has put us on a clear path of liberty, equality and prosperity. Many on the left of course reject that notion, postulating that we are no different or better than any other nation and do not deserve our place in the world.

Join us in September as Armand Grossman, current President of the Boca Raton Regional Republican Club, explores this concept.

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Armand Grossman has a long standing, highly distinguished affiliation with Florida Atlantic University. Grossman’s deep affinity for FAU began the same year the university opened, as he was a member of the inaugural class. As an undergrad, he was a founder of the Student Government Association, wrote the SGA Charter and served in the first student senate. He was also a founder of the student newspaper, The Atlantic Sun and served as its first sports editor .Grossman received his bachelor’s degree in political science from FAU, along with a master’s degree in education and an MBA in 1977. Along his academic path, he also has earned a certificate in real estate finance from Harvard University.

Grossman is the former vice mayor of the city of Miami Springs, where he served two terms prior to his candidacy for the state legislature. He also served two years as director of the Dade League of Cities.
Professionally, Grossman has spent 35 years in public and private education. While serving in Dade County schools, he was the basketball coach at Miami Northwestern Senior High School where his teams lost a total of six games over a four-year stint. In the past 18 years, he has conducted nearly 1,500 seminars worldwide on the subject of personal transition and individual achievement.

Professionally, Armand is a commercial real estate broker and developer. He is currently working in the Donald Trump Organization. Grossman served as president of the FAU National Alumni Association for two consecutive terms and as the chair of the FAU Foundation Board of Directors in 2004. Most recently, he was appointed to the FAU Board of Trustees and continues to serve as a member. Grossman and his wife Gina reside in Boca Raton with their sons, Michael, 17, and Mark, 12.

Joe Budd on the 2020 Outlook

Joe Budd, State Committeeman and Trump Club 45 President, gave us a positive rendition of our chances for 2020.

An early Trump supporter, Joe was on board within a couple of weeks of the escalator ride. He noticed that it was the outsider candidates (including Fiorina, Cruz) that were getting most of the attention, and Trump was the best of these. Working as volunteer co-chairman of the campaign in the county, Joe helped his candidate achieve 52% of the vote in the primary and more votes in the general (41%) than Romney, McCain or Bush.

In 2020, it looks like the outsiders have the energy among the Democrats as well, with Biden falling and candidates like Kamala Harris making their mark. Joe expects the eventual candidate to move away from current Democrat leadership. Socialism and massive spending programs though, are not likely to do well in our center-right country.

He had some advice for our Congressional candidates. The only state-wide race in 2020 is for President, so that is where the focus and energy will be. Republican candidates need to attach themselves to the Trump agenda and the Trump campaign, otherwise it will be hard for them to raise funds or get noticed. Going it alone is not a smart strategy for next year.

Florida of course is very important to a 2020 victory, and we constitute a campaign region by ourselves with a state Chairman already in place. Unlike 2016, this time the RNC and the Trump campaign are joined at the hip and working smoothly together. This is true also of RPOF.

Joe and the Snowdens started Trump Club 45 to keep track of the large group of voters who came out to vote for Trump, maybe as first-time voters. Turnout was 52% better than in 2012 and we want to keep it that way. The club took the PBC Trump email list that we had compiled during the campaign, and more than doubled it. It is now the largest such club (of many) in the country. Unlike chartered Republican clubs, TC45 is independent, and has a fair number of Democrat members. This is a good thing as the support for the President here in PBC is bi-partisan.

PBC Committeeman and Trump Club 45 President Joe Budd for July Meeting

2020 is coming! What are the state and local plans to re-elect the President and win Republican seats next year? What can we do to help?

With the Florida Democrats pulling out the stops to register 1 million voters and turn the state blue, the 2020 election will be a struggle. Joe Budd will share some of our party’s plans, as well as what the Trump Club 45 will be doing.

Come prepared to get charged up and ready to go!

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President and founder of the Trump Club 45, the largest such club in the country, Joe Budd is our State Committeeman and has been a member of the Palm Beach County Republican Executive Committee Board of Directors. He is a past President of the Boca Raton Regional Republican Club and has been locally active in politics since his run for Congress in 2009. Joe served as a vice chair of the Palm Beach County Trump campaign helping President Trump win a decisive primary victory with 52% of the vote in our county.

Joe has been married to his wife Sherry for 33 years and has three children and one grandchild. Joe operates a successful Financial Planning firm in Boca Raton as well as an Insurance Brokerage firm.

Former Congressman Tom Rooney to Present 2019 Ann Roberts Scholarships

Presenting the awards for the club will be our featured speaker, Former Congressman and Senior Fellow at the LeMieux Center for Public Policy at PBAU, Tom Rooney.

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Tom Rooney recently retired from his position as US Representative for Florida’s 17th Congressional District. Having served since 2008, he was on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Military Construction and Veteran’s Affairs, and State and Foreign Operations. He also served on the House Select Committee on Intelligence and was Chairman of the Intelligence Subcommittee on Emerging Threats. He was also deputy whip when the GOP was in the majority.

Prior to his election to Congress, Rooney worked as an Assistant Attorney General, and was CEO of The Children’s Place at Home Safe, a home for abused and neglected children. He was later appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to the Children’s Services Council of PBC. An attorney, Rooney was in private practice with a Stuart Law Firm.

He has a degree in English Literature from Syracuse University, a master’s degree from the University of Florida, and a JD from the University of Miami School of Law.

Legislative Update at May Lunch

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Gayle Harrell represents Florida Senate District 25, which includes Martin and St. Lucie Counties and part of Palm Beach County. She was elected to the Florida Senate in November 2018 after serving two term in the Florida House of Representatives from 2000-2008 and 2010-2018.

Senator Harrell has over 25 years of experience in healthcare. She has worked as a Healthcare Administrator, managing the Ob-Gyn. practice of Dr. James E. Harrell and was the founder of the Breast Imaging Center, a mammography center specializing in preventive care for women. Her experience in healthcare has made her a leader in setting healthcare policy for the State of Florida

Senator Harrell is Chair of Committee on Health Policy and Vice Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services. Senator Harrell is also a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice; Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Military and Veterans Affairs and Space and the Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight.

Senator Harrell has won numerous awards for her legislative service. Among her many awards she has received the Legislator of the Year by the Florida Medical Association, the Legislative Leadership Award by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the Legislative Award by the Florida Children’s Forum, an “A” Ranking by the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Friend of Free Enterprise Award by the Associated Builders and Contractors, the Legislative Achievement Award by Keep Florida Beautiful, and the Distinguished Legislator Award by the Florida Police Benevolent Association.

A resident of Florida’s Treasure Coast for over 40 years, Senator Harrell is committed to serving our community having served as president of many civic organizations such as Hibiscus Children’s Center, Education Foundation of Martin County, Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee Counties, and HPS – Helping People Succeed. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish and a Master’s Degree in Latin American History from the University of Florida where she received the Edith Bristol Tigert award as an Outstanding Female Graduate and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

Gayle has been married to Dr. James Harrell for 51 years, has four children and eight grandchildren, and is an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Stuart.

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Rick Roth, a 39 year Wellington resident, grew up in Belle Glade. He is the President of the 5000 acre Roth Farms east of Belle Glade, and has been producing vegetables and sugar cane there since 1976.

Although never holding a public office before 2016, Rick has been involved in politics for years, including fund-raising for former Governor Bob Martinez, and he has held a variety of leadership positions with the Florida Farm Bureau Federation and the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association and is on the board of the Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida. In 2016, he defeated Andrew Watt with 62% in the Republican primary and then beat Democrat Robert Simone in the general with 57% of the vote.

NCNC President Sal Faso at April Meeting

April’s speaker will be Sal Faso, President and founder of the North County Neighborhood Coalition (NCNC). The NCNC is composed of 23 communities from West Palm Beach to Jupiter, and represents 45,000 residents and 30,000 voters. Advocating for quality of life issues in the north county, Sal works with county and city elected officials and staff to relay his member’s positions on western development, traffic issues and the environment, and supports community involvement through candidate forums and invited speakers at monthly meetings. NCNC is similar in operation and influence to COBWRA (Coalition of Boynton West Residential Associations) which operates in south county.

As developer lobbyists and other special interests have increasing influence on the leaders of our cities, organizations like NCNC organize and present the positions of the citizens and insure us a seat at the table. They also foster awareness of issues and candidates for office.

Sal will present an overview of some of the issues of interest to county residents, such as the State route 7 extension, traffic issues on Northlake Boulevard and elsewhere, the status of the new developments being constructed west of the turnpike, and what to expect from the fresh crop of elected officials sworn in after the March elections in the Gardens, West Palm Beach and the other northern Municipalities.

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Sal is an experienced executive with sales, marketing and operational knowledge in leading businesses both nationally and internationally.

He retired in 2000 from IBM after working 30 years with geographic responsibilities for customers within the United States, Europe and South Africa.

His organizations were responsible for significant revenue and profits. He held positions such as General Manager for all sales within the Midwest United States, he was CEO of IBM South Africa, a public company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and worked with Emerging markets in Europe.

Soon after retiring he engaged with the local communities, West Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens and became a civic leader. He led the Transition Team for the mayor of West Palm Beach in 2011 and had chaired the City Budget committee and conducted the Fire and Police Pension Task Force. He participated in activities for the WPB and PBG Police radio dispatch system. He currently serves on his community Property Owners Association Board of Directors.

The North County Neighborhood Coalition was formed in 2010 with seven communities and now has grown to 23 communities with 45,000 residents and 36,000 voters. The NCNC promotes working with Government, Business and Community leadership to plan for a better county. The NCNC is a not for profit organization filed as a 617 chapter in the State of Florida.

He recently became the President of the North Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce Foundation and a member of the Strategic Planning committee and Technology and Connectivity committee.

He and his wife celebrated 51 years of marriage and they have two children and four grandsons. Loves golf, tennis and the Arts (Opera). He is a native Floridian born in Coral Gables and graduated from the University of Miami.

March Lunch to Feature Everglades Foundation CEO Eric Eikenberg

As CEO of the Everglades Foundation, Erik Eikenberg has helped bring widespread national and international attention to the perennial toxic algae crisis in Florida that threatens the state’s waterways and tourism industry. He leads a team of nationally recognized scientists, educators, lobbyists, and communications and development professionals, all working together to achieve a decades-long campaign to restore America Everglades – roughly three million acres of endangered habitat that is vital to Florida’s economic and environmental viability.

Join us on March 27 to hear Erik’s assessment of the water crisis in the state.

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Eric Eikenberg is a seasoned political strategist and environmental policy expert who leads one of the country’s most prestigious and respected environmental non-profits – The Everglades Foundation, which has an annual operating budget of more than $10 million.

As CEO, Eikenberg oversees a team of nationally recognized scientists, educators, lobbyists, and communications and development professionals, all working together to achieve a decades-long campaign to restore America Everglades – roughly three million acres of endangered habitat that is vital to Florida’s economic and environmental viability.

Appointed CEO by the Foundation’s board of directors in 2012, Eikenberg has extensive policy and political experience in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C., and served as chief of staff to former Gov. Charlie Crist and former U.S. Rep. E. Clay Shaw, Jr., the latter who authored the landmark $8.4 billion Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).

Prior to joining The Everglades Foundation, Eikenberg served as senior policy advisor at the law firm of Holland & Knight, LLP, co-chairing the firm’s Florida Government Advocacy Team with former Gov. Bob Martinez.

A sought-after public speaker on the importance of preserving one of America’s most unique natural habitats, Eikenberg is a regular OpEd columnist and a widely quoted source for national and local media outlets, including National Public Radio, CNN, The Associated Press, U.S. News & World Report, Politico, The Miami Herald, and many others.

Eikenberg has been a long-time champion for expediting Everglades restoration, with a knack for innovation and engaging partners in the corporate, philanthropic and political arenas.

This included, most recently, leading an intense public awareness campaign that ultimately led to the passage of critical state and federal legislation authorizing construction of a $1.6 billion reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee – a key component of CERP.

During his tenure as CEO, Eikenberg has helped bring widespread national and international attention to the perennial toxic algae crisis in Florida that threatens the state’s waterways and tourism industry; launched the world’s largest water incentive prize – the $10 million dollar George Barley Water Prize; expanded the Foundation’s Everglades literacy program to reach tens of thousands of students across Florida; and provided scientific, technical and policy support to numerous decision makers in executing CERP.

A graduate of The American University, Eikenberg, his wife Tonya and four children reside in Miami.

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