RE Log - Fall 2023

FALL 2023 Ransom Everglades LOG 79 Community builders join RE’s board of trustees The Ransom Everglades Board of Trustees increased its expertise in real-estate development and educational leadership with the addition of one of Coconut Grove’s most respected develop- ers and two RE alumnae with a history of successful outcomes with schools, adolescents and children. Joining RE’s board of trustees on July 1, 2023: David P. Martin, the chief executive officer of Terra; Vanessa Chartouni-de la Serna ’90 , who has been deeply involved with RE for years; and Kimberly (Gray) Mendelson ’85 , who has served as board chair and chair of development at Lehrman Community Day School. “We are honored to welcome three distinguished and talented members of our community who will help us execute our ambitious plans for Ransom Everglades,” RE Board Chair Jonathan Fitzpatrick P’20 ’23 said. “All bring to our board great experience and a passion for uplifting communities. We are delighted they are joining our team.” Martin, a Coconut Grove native, has been the force behind the most innovative development projects in his hometown – including Mr. C’s Residences, Grove at Grand Bay and Park Grove – and his family was widely lauded for acquiring Miami’s Freedom Tower in the early 2000s order to donate it to Miami Dade College. Chartouni-de la Serna, who in 2020 received Ransom Everglades’ prestigious Head of School’s Award, recently com- pleted a two-year term as Co-President of RE’s Alumni Board. She also served on the Head of School Search Committee, and co-founded and directs Steps for Success, a therapeutic school in South Miami for teens with autism spectrum disorders. Mendelson, after beginning her career as Vice President of Marketing at Federal Discount Centers on Miami Beach, turned her attention to education, working as a science and business teach- er and serving on the boards of Lehrman Community Day School, the Everglades Foundation and the Frost Museum of Science. She helped Lehrman raise $12 million during a recent capital campaign. The trio will replace departing board members Melissa E. Krinzman ’86 and Eric Mendelson. Miguel F. Dueñas ’95 , managing partner at Dimension Capital Management, will serve as vice-chair, stepping into the chair role next summer. Krinzman, the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Miami-based venture-capital fund Krillion Ventures, departs after one term on the board. Eric Mendelson, a former board chair and husband of Kimberly Mendelson, has served five terms on the board since joining in 2008. During his tenure, he helped engineer the purchase of the La Brisa property that has expanded and transformed RE’s upper school. He is Co- President and Director at HEICO Corp. and President & Chief Executive Officer at HEICO Aerospace Holdings Corp. “We are extremely grateful to Eric and Melissa for their dedication to our board of trustees,” Fitzpatrick said. “Eric’s hard work as board chair set the stage for the building of the Fernandez STEM Center and the development of La Brisa. Both love Ransom Everglades and have made significant and lasting contri- butions. They will long be remembered for their class and service.” David P. Martin Vanessa Chartouni-de la Serna ’90 Kimberly (Gray) Mendelson ’85