Florida real estate leaders make the Swanepoel Power 200 list
Nine Florida real estate veterans have been named to the 2020 Swanepoel Power 200 list, considered “the definitive ranking of the leaders and executives in the residential real estate brokerage industry,”
Those recognized include:
- Mike Pappas, CEO, The Keyes Company, at 72 on the list
- Michael Saunders, founder and CEO of Michael Saunders & Company, at 88
- Budge Huskey, CEO, Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, at 100
- Teresa King Kinney, CEO, Miami Association of Realtors, at 108
- Rei Mesa, president and CEO, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty, at 114
- Merri Jo Cowen, CEO, Stellar MLS, at 121
- Dionna Hall, CEO, Broward, Palm Beaches and St. Lucie Realtors, and Beaches MLS, at 141
- Margy Grant, CEO, Florida Realtors, at 153
- William “Bill” Watson, chairman of the board, Watson Realty Corp., at 158
The SP200 is produced and published annually by the Swanepoel T3 Group, the real estate consulting firm run by Stefan Swanepoel. The SP200 team invests more than 400 hours researching and analyzing bios, transaction and sales volume data, annual reports and other announcements and statistics from the past year.
According to the list, leaders are evaluated based on the office they hold, the decision-making power associated with that office, the financial resources at their disposal, their organization’s industry significance and geographical reach, public announcements about imminent changes, their tenure and their personal influence in the industry.
57 Ocean appoints new director of sales
Luxury Miami Beach development 57 Ocean has promoted top-producing real estate agent Nirka Burns Padilla to director of sales for the ocean-facing property.
Located at 5775 Collins Avenue, the 18-story, holistic wellness-focused boutique condominium is being developed by Multiplan Real Estate Asset Management, with Fortune Development Sales serving as its exclusive residential brokerage.
Burns Padilla, who most recently served as a sales executive for the project, will spearhead sales for the building, oversee its promotion worldwide, and bolster relations between brokers and buyers.
“Nirka (Burns Padilla) is a highly effective leader with an inherent understanding of all aspects of luxury development – from the planning stages to completion,” said Marcelo Kingston, managing partner of 57 Ocean. “With her finger on the pulse of the market, I am confident that she will contribute to the successful sellout of our project.”
A native of Caracas, Venezuela, Burns Padilla was formerly with ONE Sotheby’s International Realty, where she helped launch The Fairchild Coconut Grove, and later joined the sales team at One Thousand Museum.
“I am thrilled to be spearheading sales at 57 Ocean and showcasing this incredible project to savvy buyers across the globe,” said Burns Padilla. “The beauty and singularity of this building, its setting, and holistic wellness-focused amenities cannot be overstated.”
Designed by architect Bernardo Fort-Brescia of ARQUITECTONICA, the 71-residence 57 Ocean is slated for delivery in 2021 and will offer two to four-bedroom residences starting at $1.5 million. One penthouse, priced at $35 million, remains. Features include expansive terraces, Italian kitchens and baths by Poliform and amenities include a holistic spa, wellness pavilion with a thermal suite, poolside treatment cabanas, pool and beachfront concessions and more.
Benworth Capital launches Presto Payday
Residential and commercial mortgage lender Benworth Capital has launched Presto Payday, the first in a chain of stores involved in the financial services sector with a focus on microlending, check cashing, wire transfer and bill payments.
Located at 2240 Coral Way, the company will partner with UniVista Insurance to provide a full range of insurance products to customers.
“We are very excited to embark on this new venture, which is giving us the opportunity to offer different products to the community,” said Benworth Capital President Bernie Navarro.
“Presto Payday will allow us to continue supporting our mission of being a leader in the lending industry with specialty products that will help the community achieve financial independence.”