Miami Science Museum recently welcomed five new members to its Board of Trustees, as plans move forward to build the new Miami Science Museum in downtown Miami. Internationally recognized for his leadership in the legal, corporate, and charitable sectors, Cesar L. Alvarez, Executive Chairman of Greenberg Traurig, PA, heads the list of newly elected Trustees and joins the Executive Committee to enhance both governance and fundraising. Other elected Trustees include Alexander P. Adams, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Personal Financial Services at The Northern Trust Company; Julia R. Bianchi, long-time community leader; Gregory W. Barnes, President and Chief Operating Officer of Bill Ussery Motors Group; and Hank Klein, Vice-Chairman of Blanca Commercial Real Estate.
“This is shaping up to be a very positive and important year for our new Museum project”
“We are honored that such strong community leaders are joining our Board as we move toward beginning construction. Each Board member brings a separate skill set and will play an invaluable role as we move forward. Having Cesar Alvarez serving on the Executive Committee will be an additional asset. We are making great progress in fundraising and expect to start construction towards the end of the year,” said Trish and Dan Bell, Co-Chairs of the Board of Trustees. “This is shaping up to be a very positive and important year for our new Museum project,” they added.
Miami Science Museum will break ground on its new building later this year. Designed by Grimshaw Architects, the new museum will have the most distinctive design of any building in Miami, from every direction. It will incorporate advanced communications and energy-conservation technology, as well as a host of visitor-friendly features. Structured around a lushly landscaped indoor and outdoor “living core” of terrestrial and aquatic exhibits, featuring one-of-a-kind aquarium components, a state-of-the-art digital dome, hands-on exhibits and interactive digital technology. The entire complex, in fact, will act as a demonstration of ecological and sustainability principles, harnessing energy from water, wind, and sun to power exhibits and conserve resources. Every aspect of the five-story, 250,000-square-foot building is planned to inspire the mind, engage the senses and stimulate the imagination.
Cesar L. Alvarez became the Executive Chairman of Greenberg Traurig in 2010. Prior to this time, he served the firm as its Chief Executive Officer for 13 years beginning when the firm had 325 lawyers in eight offices in 1997 and directed it through its growth to more than 1800 attorneys and government professionals in more than 30 locations in the United States, Europe and Asia. With fervent belief in education, Alvarez has served on numerous boards of higher education, including Florida International University; Florida International University College of Law; University of Florida Levin College of Law; University of Miami School of Law; Miami Dade College; and Manhattanville College. Some of his present commitments include, serving as Chair of the American Bar Association’s Commission on Hispanic Legal Rights and Responsibilities; on the Board of Directors, National Council of La Raza; and as Vice Chairman, Trustee and Chair of the Audit Committee for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. He is a former Chairman of the Board of Directors and former Campaign Chair of the United Way of Miami-Dade. Alvarez holds B.S., M.B.A, and J.D. degrees from the University of Florida.
Alexander P. Adams is Managing Director of Personal Financial Services for The Northern Trust Company at its Miami offices. Having joined Northern Trust in 1995, he has served in various capacities in both commercial and private banking. Prior to joining Northern Trust, Adams was a commercial lender for First Union National Bank, and a private banker and branch manager with Citibank. He has been involved with several civic and charitable organizations, including the United Way of South Florida, Make-A-Wish Foundation of South Florida, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami and Belen Economic Development Council. He holds M.B.A. and B.A. degrees from University of Miami.
Julia R. Bianchi is committed to helping build a stronger and healthier community for children and at-risk families through her volunteer work. She is most noted for her years of dedicated service to the American Red Cross by serving as current National Co-chair of the Tiffany Circle Society of Women Leaders and as a member of the South Florida Region’s Board of Directors. She is past President of the Junior League of Miami and of Kristi House. Bianchi has chaired and served as a member of numerous charitable event committees and has raised a cumulative small fortune for their missions in the community. Her professional background includes extensive experience in marketing communications, special events and broadcast media.
Gregory W. Barnes joined Bill Ussery Motors in 1999 as Operations Manager at Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables and became President and Chief Operating Officer of its parent company, Bill Ussery Motors Group, in 2009. Barnes has most recently served on the boards of directors of the Coral Gables Community Foundation and Westminster Christian School. Additionally, he has served on the boards of Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, the Ronald McDonald House of South Florida, the Coral Gables Rotary Club, and as President of the Robert Morris Association (RMA Banking Association). Barnes began his career in 1984 as a commercial lender with NCNB, upon graduating from Florida State University with a B.S. in Finance and later worked for Northern Trust in Miami.
Hank Klein joined Blanca Commercial Real Estate in 2010 and currently serves as Vice Chairman. Klein previously served as Executive Director of business development at Cushman & Wakefield of Florida and Vice Chairman of Flagler Realty Services. He currently serves on the boards of directors for the Adrienne Arsht Performing Arts Center, Downtown Development Authority, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Performing Arts Center Trust, United Home Care Services and Miami Finance Forum. He holds a B.Ed. from University of Miami.
To view the complete Miami Science Museum Board of Trustees, visit: http://miamisci.org/www/board-of-trustees.php