The Pioneer Group Recognizes Community leaders with Pioneer of

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The Pioneer Group Recognizes Community leaders with
Pioneer of the Year Awards
By Key Biscayne Pioneer
For the firs year, the Pioneer Group,
which is home to the Key Biscayne Pioneer,
awarded eight outstanding community
members with the Pioneer of the Year
Award.
The ceremony took place March 5th
at The Museum Club Miami and was
hosted by successful radio personality and
Univision talent Enrique Santos. During the
ceremony, Vice-president and co-founder
of the Pioneer Group, Rene Buroz Morales
announced their newest publication,
Miami Pioneer, which will be distributed in
the whole Miami area. The Miami Pioneer
aims to continue with the pioneering work
of their Key Biscayne publication, which
promotes new was of getting your news
through social media outlets and print.
The ceremony welcomed many close
friends of the group including NBC’s
Bachelor Juan Pablo Galavis and his
father, Architect and sculptor Saúl Galavis,
Venezuelan actress Mimi Lazo and her
husband, Luis Fernández, Former CIA
operative Félix Rodríguez, Miami Symphony
Orchestra Director Eduardo Marturet
and his wife, model and actress, Athina
Marturet; and many more.
Assistant Chief of Police Jorge Gómez
Ever since the beginning of his
exciting career in the Miami Dade
Police Department, this extraordinary
man has always procured to get
involved and give back in any way.
It is important to highlight the hard
work and dedication of Assistant Chief
of Police Jorge Gómez. His personal
commitment with society makes him
one of the most valuable members of
the organization. Through his social
work, he puts the wellbeing of the
residents of Miami first.
He is involved in many projects
including: “More Bikes Less Guns”,
an initiative that promotes a friendly
exchange of guns owned by families of
different areas of Miami whether they
Pioneer Group CEO, Rene Buroz handing the Award
to Ass. Chief of Police, Jorge Gómez.
are registered or not, in hopes of making our
neighborhoods safe for the younger generations
and making a positive impact in our community
by removing guns from the wrong hands.
Pioneer Group CEO, Rene Buroz with Mr. Julio Morales.
Miami Symphony Orchestra
conductor Eduardo Marturet
From an early age, Venezuelan
native and the Miami Symphony
Orchestra conductor Eduardo
Marturet loved music, and even
though he didn’t take music
seriously until after he graduated
high school, it didn’t take him
long to discover his true talent
and become one of the most
outstanding conductors ever
seen. His success came at an
early age, he dedicated part of
his early career to Venezuela,
serving as conductor of the
Caracas Philharmonic Orchestra,
artistic director of the Venezuelan
Symphonic Orchestra, and
music director of the Teatro
Teresa Carreño, the country’s
preeminent theatre. He spent
years traveling the world,
including a significant stint at the
Berlin Symphony, and conducting
Assistant Director-Printing at The Miami Herald Julio
Morales
The word professionalism fits our next Pioneer very
well, for over twenty years he has been successful at
the Miami Herald. Due to his experience, he’s making
possible the permanent interest of the community in
print journalism. His levels of commitment make him
an excellent Father, Friend, university professor and
community leader.
Chief of Key Biscayne Police
Department Charles Press
Known for his work in
establishing stricter marine
control laws. The Chief
of Key Biscayne Police
Department is also known
for using his personal
experiences to grow as
a person and a Chief to
serve and protect the lives
of his community. Charles
Press was born in south
Florida and attended
Barry University to obtain
his Associates Degree in
Accounting. Despite both
his father and brother
being distinguished police
officers, Press had no
intention of being a cop.
One day his brother asked
him to ride along with him
during one of his duty
shifts. After denying the
invitation several times, he
finally decided to give it a
shot. During the ride along,
Press’s brother took him to
the most southern part of
the county where they got
Pioneer Group CEO, Rene Buroz handing the Award to
MISO Conductor, Eduardo Marturet.
in countries as far-flung from Miami as Norway and
South Korea.
He is a versatile musician that pushes every
boundary. He is classic, professional, and energetic
and possesses an irreverent personality. He is known
for his particular style of footwear and explosive
performances on stage. After ten years with the
company, he has been able to position the MISO as
one of the top orchestras in the world and continues
his journey on a path to success.
MARCH 2016 / ISSUE 3 – © 2016 Key Biscayne Pioneer
Left to Right/ Pioneer Group CEO, Rene Buroz, Radio host, Enrique Santos and Former CIA
operative Félix Rodriguez speaking on behalf of the Anti-Castrista Movement in Miami.
Chief of Key Biscayne Police Department Charles Press.
involved in a chase between two cars that were shooting at each
other.” After pulling over the two cars, Press’s brother hands him
a shotgun and firmly explains that if he gets shot Press needs to
just start shooting back. Without any backup, the two brothers
arrested all parties involved.
Press remembers this moment as the greatest high he’s ever
felt in his life.” Since that fateful encounter, and after his risky
career as an undercover officer, Press’s life has been dedicated
to protecting and serving his community as a police officer and
through his charitable foundation that benefits children in one of
the poorest areas of Miami.
Former CIA operative Felix Rodriguez
Born in Cuba in 1941, Former CIA operative Felix Rodriguez
was fascinated with guns and the military from an early age.
He moved to the United States at the age of twelve, and even
though he was reluctant at first about leaving his country
and roots behind, he finally made the decision and went to a
school in Pennsylvania. When he was a junior in high school,
his country experienced the takeover by Castro and his fellow
revolutionaries. Ever since, Rodriguez has dedicated his life to
fighting communism. He participated in the historic manhunt and
capture of Marxist revolutionary Ernesto “Che” Guevara. He is a
Vietnam Veteran who fought in the Bay of Pigs invasion and due
to his outstanding career he received the Pioneer of The Year
Award.
www.thekbpioneer.com
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Pioneer Group CEO, Rene Buroz handing the Award to Marketing Strategist and
Founder of The Museum Club Miami, Ivan Sherman
Pioneer Group CEO, Rene Buroz handing the Award to ASU
Bronze Founder, Lázaro Valdés
ASU Bronze Founder, Lázaro Valdés
Born in Pinar del Rio, Cuba, he has always been
passionate about art in all of its forms, he devoted himself
to pursuing his artistic aptitudes at a time of scarcity and
economic crisis. Back in his country, he combined his
work in the fields with his studies in geography; however,
he found his real passion in woodcarving. Today, he is a
successful sculptor working hand-by-hand with prominent
artists such as Botero, Deredia, Alirio Palacios, Abigail
Varela, Carbonell and many more.
Marketing Strategist and Founder of The Museum Club
Miami, Ivan Sherman
As the famous Alexander the great once said: “There
is nothing impossible to him who will try” A quote that
perfectly fits our Next Pioneer. This undefeatable pioneer
occupied the most prestigious positions in important
companies where he applied his innovative marketing
strategies. He is a phenomenal university professor, father
and friend. Ivan Sherman has also been recognized for his
remarkable vision in the world of real state where he often
pioneers in expanding new horizons in the industry.
He is a collector by nature and admirer of the big
pioneers and leaders of the world. Today, he has been able
to gather a priceless collection of pieces from around the
world and will soon be in charge of Miami’s first veterans
and war museum.
Key Biscayne K-8 Center’s Principal Silvia Tarafa
Charisma, love and passion are some of the few words that describe Key
Biscayne K-8 Center’s Principal Silvia Tarafa. For eight years, she has been
an outstanding leader able to combine her ability to bring parents, faculty
members and students together to form a cooperative team that goes above
and beyond to reach goals and objectives in the school system.
Principal Tarafa has been a resident of Key Biscayne for over 30 years.
Today, Tarafa is in charge of 1,476 kids enrolled at the K-8 Center, plus the staff
members.
In her long career, Tarafa has made great memories with the children, she
loves getting birthday cards that fill her heart with joy, but what she loves the
most about her profession is seeing kids learn new things every day and feel
proud about it.
MARCH 2016 / ISSUE 3 – © 2016 Key Biscayne Pioneer