Barbieri Inducted as President of Boca West Rotary Club
BOCA RATON, FL – A local businessman, writer and community leader was installed June 26, 2014, as president of the Boca West Rotary Club.
Carlo Barbieri, president of the Shrimp House LLC and CEO of the Oxford Group, was administered the oath of office by Phil Lustig, past district governor of Rotary International District 6930, before an audience of nearly 100 people in the Humanities & Technology Building on the Palm Beach State College campus in Boca Raton.
“To be a Rotarian is to be part of a unique group where you can interact with people who come from a multitude of professions and cultures,” the newly installed president said. “A group where diversity is not just tolerated, but celebrated.” The Boca West Rotary Club’s members are mainly of Brazilian descent and live in the West Boca Raton area. Meetings are conducted in Portuguese with simultaneous translation into English. While Mr. Barbieri spoke, his speech was displayed on screens behind him in both languages.
“During weekly club meetings, we discuss and promote efficient and ethical ways to do business and initiate charity work,” he said. “We strengthen relationships with other club members and build possible networking connections.” He said the presidents of all five Rotary clubs in Boca Raton have been meeting regularly in Boca Raton for an exchange of ideas.
“This is how the Rotary Club works – together,” he said. As Mr. Barbieri thanked his wife and two children, tears welled up in his eyes.
Mr. Barbieri accepted the gavel from outgoing President Angelica Blakely, who called the event “a great night to share with fellow Rotarians and friends.”
Other offices and members of the Board of Directors sworn in were: Dini Heizer, vice president; Lea Barbieri Zinner, secretary; Tania G. Fileti, treasurer; sergeant-at-arms, Paulo Schneider; advisor, Douglas Heizer (who also received a Lifetime Achievement Award); New Generations chair, Marcia Da Silva and club directors, Katina Pagano and Dario Israel. Blakely assumed the title of past president.
Boca Raton Mayor Susan Haynie congratulated both Mr. Barbieri and newly installed members of the Boca West Board of Directors. “We are so thrilled to have you doing your good works in our community,” she said.
Among other dignitaries on hand were Deputy Mayor Constance Scott, City Council member Scott Singer and Boca state representative, Bill Hager.
During the meeting, the Rotary announced the recipients of its scholarships: Jason dos Santos, who is going to attend Cornell University, and Nicholas da Costa, who will be a freshman in the fall at Yale. Both youths are natives of Brazil.
With a degree in economics from Faculdade Sao Luiz and a degree in law from Mackenzie University, Mr. Barbieri has taken more than 60 postgraduate courses in Brazil and overseas, studying such disciplines as business administration, finance, politics and administration.
As president of Shrimp House LLC, he has overseen the opening of three Shrimp House restaurants at malls in Coral Springs, Miami and Boca Raton since late in 2013. A grand opening for his restaurant in the food court of Town Center at Boca Raton mall was held June 9, 2014. Shrimp House catered the Rotary meeting.
He is CEO of the Oxford Group, the largest Brazilian consulting firm in the US, and has worked as a consultant in more than 70 countries for such companies as General Electric, Kodak, Cummins, Black and Decker and BASF, among others. Co-founder of the Boca West Rotary Club and a member of many American and Brazilian business organizations, he wrote “Abuso do Poder Economico” (The Abuse of Economic Power) and co-authored many other books, including “Historia do Brasil” and “Meandros do Congresso Nacional” (Hindrances of Legislative Power).
For more photos of the event click on the link below:
