Page 2 - The Islander - December '24

Page 2, The Islander

cHamber Happenings

Palm Beach North Chamber Of Commerce

President And CEO Noel Martinez Honored

With 2024 Florida Chamber Chair Award

The Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce is The Florida Chamber Chair Award recognizes individuals North Chamber of Commerce and our collective vision to
thrilled to announce that Noel Martinez, our president and who have gone “above and beyond” to support the Florida establish Palm Beach North as the best place to live, work,
CEO, has been honored with the prestigious 2024 Florida Chamber’s mission and deliver meaningful progress toward and play. I’m deeply grateful to the Florida Chamber for
Chamber Chair Award. Presented by the Florida Chamber securing a prosperous future for all Floridians. As chair, Koenig this recognition and look forward to continuing our work to
of Commerce’s Board Chair Keith Koenig at the annual remarked, “These recipients have truly moved the needle on secure Florida’s future.”
Florida Chamber meeting, this award celebrates Martinez’s our goals, helping us accomplish big things for Florida.” The awards highlight a shared commitment among
exemplary leadership and dedication in advancing initiatives Joining Noel Martinez in receiving this distinguished these leaders to foster growth, innovation, and success
that are driving positive change across the state. award are: throughout Florida’s business landscape. Please join us in
• Javi Correoso – Head of Policy and Communications, congratulating Noel Martinez and his fellow recipients for
Uber Technologies their remarkable achievements and ongoing dedication to the
• John Couris – President and CEO, Tampa General Hospital Florida Chamber’s mission.
• Heather Kasten – President and CEO, Greater Sarasota Their efforts are paving the way for a stronger, more
Chamber of Commerce resilient Florida.
• Karen Moore – Founder and CEO, The Moore Agency About Palm Beach North Chamber Of Commerce
• Andry Sweet – President and CEO, Children’s Home Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce is one of the
Society of Florida largest and most active business organizations in Southeast
• John Trevathan – Vice President of Corporate Services, Florida. They were awarded the “Chamber of the Year” for
Guidewell and Chair, Florida Chamber Leadership Cabinet the state of Florida in 2023. Serving businesses in the eleven
• Sam Verghese – COO, Florida Virtual School municipalities that make up Palm Beach North, the chamber
• Michele Watson – CEO, Florida Association of fosters a partnership of private, public, educational, and civic
Children’s Councils and Trusts organizations working together to ensure Palm Beach North
• Michael Wynn – President, Sunshine Ace Hardware is Florida’s “Prosperity Coast.” The chamber’s four strategic
“Receiving this award from the Florida Chamber is a imperatives are: a prosperous economy, high quality of life
tremendous honor,” said Martinez. “It reflects the hard for all residents, a smart and connected region, and regional
Noel Martinez, Heather Kasten, Karen Moore, Keith Koenig work and dedication of our entire team at the Palm Beach leadership. For more information, visit www.pbnchamber.com.

singer profiLe from page 1 Sonny and Cher, Tina Turner,
Willie Nelson, Madonna and
infant with Aicardi Syndrome, a rare congenital neurological Elvis, partygoers reached into
seizure disorder which inhibits the normal development of the archives for inspiration.
motor skills, sight and speech, causing mild to profound The muse for this annual
developmental delays. When she was diagnosed, the Gumsons affair – Lissa and Adam’s
were informed that Ava’s life expectancy was no more than daughter Ava – came as a
two years. Pink Lady from Grease (as did
Now 20, Ava continues many others in attendance),
to defy the odds. She attends bobbing her head and cheering
The Learning Academy on on those who boogied on the
the campus of the Els Center dance floor. The tip jars on
of Excellence and although the pianos were lined with
she is non-verbal, severely generous donations as guests requested their favorite songs,
delayed and has multiple with 100 percent of the band’s tips donated back to the cause.
daily seizures, she is a happy, Photo ops in front of a blanket of draped gold tassels adorned
joyful girl whose smile and with famous album covers and disco balls set the mood and
laugh lights up a room. What the food, drinks and service from Tequesta Country Club staff
started as a small party with made it a rocking (and rolling!) good time.
friends and family hosted at “Because the condition is so rare and affects such a
the Gumsons’ home in the early years has blossomed into small population, research is just so limited, and the only
a major annual event held for the last five years at Tequesta way for us as families to encourage institutions to delve
Country Club. The monies raised since 2006 help the deeper into the causes of Aicardi Syndrome is to fund
foundation fund research grants at both Baylor University and research grants,” Adam Gumson stated. “And the family
the University of California at San Francisco and underwrite conferences are so essential to creating and developing
the cost for Aicardi families to attend the every-other-year a community of families who are all going through the
family conference where people from all over the world gather same things, like what medicines and diets work best to
to exchange information. This, in turn, enhances each family’s combat seizures, what medical procedures and therapies
ability to care for its own Aicardi child. Since only 4,000 girls have helped, what equipment and other technology have
worldwide are afflicted with Aicardi Syndrome, there is very improved the quality of life” chimed in Lissa Gumson.
little money for research and the foundation is made up entirely Adam Gumson continued, “One family conference
of volunteers (mostly the affected families and their extended costs aover $100,000 when calculating all of the food,
family and friends). rooms and audio visual equipment necessary to put on a
From the sequenced head caps of ABBA to the wild hair and successful conference, so our party, and other families’
famous black and white face makeup of KISS to John Lennon, fundraising efforts, are absolutely essential to support
the continuation of the great work that the foundation
Editorial copy appearing herewith is not necessarily the viewpoint of does.” The Gumsons have become more and more active
Seabreeze Publications of Central Florida. Most editorial copy is created by in the foundation over the years, with Adam lecturing
the homeowners and is edited by their appointed editor.
at the conferences on various topics such as estate
planning, guardianship and fundraising, and assuming
1102 W. Indiantown Rd., Suite 5, Jupiter, FL 33458 the presidency of the foundation this past June. but, if there is a silver lining, it is that it has introduced
(561) 746-3244 Lissa handles a variety of tasks, too, and the Gumsons’ us to such incredible people from all over the world and
FAX (561) 746-2509 other two children, Lilly and Zane, attend the conferences taught us and our children that there is a higher calling
and assist with child care and speak on the sibling panel, to help others than just being concerned with ourselves.
Seabreeze Publications answering questions from new families about what it It has been incredibly rewarding for our whole family to
Publisher is like to have a sister with Aicardi Syndrome. “Their be so involved,” Lissa commented.
M. Sean Reid participation has helped them feel like they are not To learn more about Aicardi Syndrome, the Aicardi
S. Miller • E. Miller alone since they get to see and meet other families, and Syndrome Foundation or Ava Shaye Gumson and/or the other
especially other siblings, dealing with similar issues, Aicardi girls, log on to www.aicardisyndromefoundation.
Sales and both of them have become so much more grounded org and/or www.ouraicardilife.org or contact Jupiter Law
Tom English, Laura Berrio, Bret McCormick and empathetic by just being present at the conferences Center at (561) 744-4600 if you have any other questions
www.seabreezepublications.com and being exposed to the highs and lows of living with about Aicardi Syndrome or about how you can help
an Aicardi child. No one wanted to be a part of this club support the foundation.