Three New Corporate Leaders Selected to Serve on the BDB’s Board of Directors
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October 28, 2022 – Palm Beach County, FL – The Business Development Board of Palm Beach County (BDB) selected three new board members to serve on the BDB’s Board of Directors. The vote took place at the BDB’s economic development luncheon on October 26, 2022. The three members include Chris Kennedy, Noreen Payne, and Deana Pizzo.
“It’s an honor to have a group of powerful leaders to guide the Business Development Board’s economic development efforts as we position Palm Beach County for a healthy economic future. Their commitment to supporting and growing business in Palm Beach County has prepared them for this role as a board member of the BDB Board of Directors. I look forward to shaping the future of Palm Beach County together,” said Kelly Smallridge, President and CEO of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County (BDB).
Chris Kennedy,
Vice President of Preconstruction at Suffolk
Director at Large
With more than 30 years of experience in the construction industry, Chris Kennedy is Vice President of Preconstruction for Suffolk’s southeast region. Chris started with Suffolk as Project Manager, quickly proving his leadership ability. As Vice President, he provides top management involvement projects, and stays continually aware of the status of Suffolk’s preconstruction and construction services, the budget and progress of construction. He has successfully led project teams on some of Suffolk’s most complex projects including the Iconic Las Olas River House, MET 2 – JW Marriott Marquis & Wells Fargo Center, the Miami-Dade Children’s Courthouse, and Met Square. Mr. Kennedy is a Board member for Associated Builders and Contractors and is known among industry peers for his generosity; he previously led a partnership with the community to rebuild the home of the Gorenflos – a family with special needs in Palm Beach County. Mr. Kennedy is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering. |
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Noreen Payne
Representing the Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce
 Noreen Payne and business partner, Amy Snook joined forces in 2015 and together have built a successful residential real estate practice. Noreen’s edge is one of personality and passion. A champion for her community, her care for helping others comes through in that extra level of concierge service to their clients. Noreen’s community service and leadership efforts span the community. The 2020 Chair of the Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce and current board member, Noreen’s involvement with supporting local businesses has seen her serving as Ambassador Chair, Vice Chair of Membership, and Vice Chair of Programming along the way. In the past, she’s been recognized as the first ever recipient of the Richard Ohstrom Award established by The HOW Foundation and a finalist for the Ken Ellingsworth Community Service Award. As a committed volunteer, she devotes much of her time to supporting The Achievement Center for Children and Families, serves on the Board of Directors, and Co-Chairs the Annual Delray Beach Home Tour. Also currently serving as Co-Chair of Grants Committee with Impact 100 PBC and current board member with Old School Square in downtown Delray Beach. A fierce fighter of food insecurity, she starts every week with the Caring Kitchen, making sure meals find their way to children and the homebound across Delray. From Championing local businesses to mutual aid and Impact, Noreen believes it is this deep commitment to, and connection with, one’s community that forms foundation for business success.
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Deana Pizzo
Founder and CEO of I.T. Solutions of South Florida
Representing the Economic Council of Palm Beach County
 Deana is not only an owner and cofounder of I.T. Solutions of South Florida, a Certified Woman Owned Business, she is also a hands-on CEO and is responsible for the company’s marketing, development and management. Deana is an industry trendsetter and featured on the cover of ChannelPro Magazine (August 2017) for her breakthrough managed service offering: Co-Managed I.T. Deana earned a Women in Leadership Award (WILA) 2018 nomination, and has led I.T. Solutions of South Florida to a spot on the Managed Service Provider (MSP) 500 List and the TOP 100 in the Managed Security Category annually since 2018. The company continues to win awards every year under Deana’s leadership, including being named as one of the 2019 Best Places to Work by the South Florida Business Journal. Most recently, Deana was named to the prestigious 2020 Women of the Channel list by the CRN and the 2021 Influential Business Women List by the South Florida Business Journal. Deana spends most of her free time serving her community and her family. She currently serves on the board of NonProfits First, Leadership Palm Beach County, and South Florida Tech Hub. Deana is also a Corporate member of the BDB, a Corporate Trustee in the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce, and a board member of the Economic Council of Palm Beach County.
As the official economic development organization for Palm Beach County, the Business Development Board facilitates corporate relocations and expansions in the County. Over the past five years, such efforts have resulted in 140 companies that have created or retained more than 13,110 direct jobs with average salaries greater than $80,000, resulting in more than $1.12 billion in capital investment to Palm Beach County. |
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