MIAMI, Fla. (October 23, 2009) — Vice Prime Minister of Israel Moshe Ya’Alon was the guest of honor at a breakfast reception on October 16 hosted by Gunster, Attorneys at Law and the Florida Israel Business Forum (FIBF). Nearly 100 business and community leaders attended the event to hear the Vice Prime Minister’s presentation on the Middle East’s challenges and achievements, and Israel’s emphasis on innovation and technology.
“As the Vice Prime Minister noted, there is a natural synergy between the entrepreneurial spirit and the technology communities of Florida and Israel,” said Kevin Levy, a member of Gunster’s Israel Practice and a founding board member of the FIBF. “Gunster and the Florida Israel Business Forum look forward to continuing to facilitate business relationships between Florida and Israeli companies to strengthen both economies and the ties that bind us.”
Guests at the reception included Israel Consul General Ofer Bavly, who also introduced the Vice Prime Minister; Lt. Colonel Allen West; Rep. Yolly Robinson; Daniel Pedreira on behalf of Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen; Laura Raftovic on behalf of Senator Bill Nelson; Alberto Dosal, founder, president and CEO, Compuquip Technologies, Inc.; Juan Martinez, CFO, John F. and James L. Knight Foundation; Alejandra Aguirre, deputy editor and publisher, Diario Las Américas; and James S. Cassel, Vice Chairman and Senior Managing Director of Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc.
Minister Ya’Alon served a full career in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) with many command positions that lead him to become head of Military Intelligence, Commander of Central Command, and finally the 17th IDF Chief-of-Staff. He holds a Master’s degree from Harvard University and is a member of Israel’s inner cabinet of six ministers, serving as the government’s point person on Iran.
The FIBF is a nonprofit economic development organization, supported by the Consulate General of Israel that seeks to actively promote bilateral trade, commerce and economic relations between Florida and Israel. For more information call (305) 925-9455.
About Gunster
Established in 1925, Gunster is a full-service Florida law firm with eight offices around the state, providing counsel to leading businesses and individuals. Our statewide presence and culture reflect the firm’s status as Florida’s lawyers for business. Gunster services clients from its offices in Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Palm Beach, Stuart, Tallahassee, Vero Beach and its headquarters in West Palm Beach, with 140 attorneys and 200 committed support staff.
