President: Howard Elfman
Howard Elfman is the Managing Partner/Broker of The Agency Florida and has owned and led successful real estate brokerages for over Twenty years, personally selling thousands of homes and closing over a billion dollars in real estate. Howard’s breadth of experience includes working with local and international clients, representing several prominent South Florida development and institutional investors. Howard has served the real estate industry as President of Greater Fort Lauderdale Realtors, National Association of Realtors Director and District Vice President for Florida Association of Realtors. A South Florida resident for more than three decades Howard was appointed to and has taken leadership roles on the City of Fort Lauderdale Planning and Zoning Board, Code Enforcement Board, Nuisance Abatement Board, Broward Housing Council and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Riverwalk Trust and the Chair of the City of Fort Lauderdale Board of Adjustment.
Vice-President: Alan L. Gabriel
Alan is a Partner at Weiss Serota Helfman Pastoriza Cole & Boniske, P.L. concentrating in matters of land use, zoning, communications law, administrative law, transportation and local governmental law. In addition to his private clients, Alan serves as General Counsel for the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization and as special counsel to the School Board of Broward County in matters concerning concurrency and zoning. Alan is also a member of the City of Fort Lauderdale Northwest Progresso Community Redevelopment Agency, and the Downtown Fort Lauderdale Rotary Club.
Director/Social Media: Carolyn Burns
Carolyn Burns is a Broker-associate with Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate – Las Olas, with over 30 years experience. She serves on the Advisory Council of Mission United – United Way of Broward County, and is dedicated in serving several non-profits in the Broward County area – Broward Partnership for the Homeless, 211 Broward, the American Cancer Society Making Strides against Breast Cancer, American Cancer Society Jail & Bail, MADD; and also a member of Tower Forum. Carolyn is an occasional contributing writer of real estate articles to various trade publications.
Director: Barry Max Levy
Barry Max Levy, QKA is a Pension Consultant and President of Levy & Associates, providing professional counsel in the design, installation and administration of employee benefit programs.; and has been recognized in federal and state court as an expert in the area of qualified retirement plans. He serves on ASPPA’s (American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries) Board of Directors. Locally he is President of the ASPPA Benefits Council of South Florida (ABC South Florida). Barry remains active in many community events, Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, Tower Forum, and non-profits, including American Cancer Society (among others).
Director: Eugenia Duncan Ellis
Eugenia Duncan Ellis currently services as the President/CEO of Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, Inc. and is actively engaged in local government and strong advocate for sustainability and smart growth. Before retiring and cruising on their sailboat, Genia worked for US Navy (Ret.) , Department of Defense, and Loral Corporation negotiating US and foreign Friendly Nation contracts for Decoy/Decoy Launching Systems for both air and sea delivery. Raising their 5 children in Boston, Ma. and following retirement, Genia and her husband, Dick, moved to Fort Lauderdale more than 20 years ago and became active community volunteers and activist. Genia have been recognized by many organizations during her work career and some of the ones below following her retirement. She holds a number of degrees and certifications.
Director: Jack Seiler
John P. “Jack” Seiler is a principal of Seiler, Zaden, Rimes & Wahlbrink and a Martindale-Hubbell AV rated preeminent lawyer practicing in all areas of civil litigation. During his thirty (30) years as a trial lawyer in South Florida, Mr. Seiler has extensive jury trial and non-jury trial experience throughout Florida’s State and Federal Courts. Jack has extensive public service as Mayor, City of Fort Lauderdale 2009 – 2018, State of Florida House of Representatives 2000-2008, Chair of the Broward Legislative Delegation 2007-2008, Vice Chair of the Broward Legislative Delegation 2006-2007, City of Wilton Manors, Mayor 1998-2000, Vice Mayor 1996-1998, Council Member 1993-1996. He also sat and current sits on numerous boards and continues to give his time and expertise in public service.
Forum President Emeritus: Rob Dressler
Rob was elected Mayor of Fort Lauderdale in 1982, re-elected in 1985 and is a former six-year term member on the Board of Regents of the State University System of Florida. He is a native of Fort Lauderdale and a retired private practice attorney.
The Forum Founder: Jack Latona
Jack was a Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner from 1991 through 2000 and is currently an attorney in private practice.