Chamber History
Locations
The Greater Miami Shores Chamber of Commerce was granted a charter on June 17, 1926. Records indicate that our first President, Lee Ward, took office in 1949. We consider April 13, 1949, to be our anniversary. We have had our office in downtown Miami Shores throughout our existence. We moved to our present location in the spring of 2018.
April 2018 to Present: 9620 NE 2nd Ave.
Previous locations have been:
1987 to 2018 9701 NE 2nd Avenue
1977 to 1987 174 NE 96th Street
1968 to 1977 9523 NE 2nd Avenue
1959 to 1968 9620 NE 2nd Avenue
1949 to 1959 Unknown
Presidents
Current President:
Catherine McLaney 2022
Past Presidents of the Chamber of Commerce:
Neil Kodsi 2021
Patrice Gillespie-Smith 2020
John Hornbuckle 2019
Gladys Coia 2017, 2018
Jonathan Meltz 2015, 2016
Lance Harke 2013, 2014
John McPhee 2012
Georgee’ Kluck 2010, 2011
Douglas Stokesberry 2007, 2008, 2009
Lynn Waterman 2006
J. Patrick Lee 2005
S. Lowery Camp 2004
David H. Walker 2003
James McCoy, Jr. 2001, 2002
Spero Canton 2000
Herta Holly 1999
Spero Canton 1997, 1998
Mary Ross Agosta 1996
Steve Johnson 1995
Dennis Kleinman 1994
Christopher Kelley 1993
Betty Lasch 1992
Patrick Duffy 1991
Owen D. Henderson III 1990
Susan B. Drombrowsky 1989
Fred Astor 1988
Kay O. McCoy 1987
Barbara North Burton 1986
Vincent Schafmeister, Jr. 1985
Paul D. May 1984
Frances Farina 1983
Robert Orlando 1982
George Swanson 1981
Charles W. Minter 1980
L. Melvin Roberts 1979
T.C. Fletcher 1978
James M. Maury 1977
Preston H. Rice 1976
Thomas B. Glendinning 1975
J.S. Palmer 1974
Howard D. Cawein 1973
William E. Byrd 1972
Joe T. Arnold 1971
Thomas B. Baden 1970
Jean W. Loudermilk 1969
Robert E. Day 1968
Elizabeth M. Anstine 1967
William H. Pierce 1966
James W. Dunaway 1965
Gordon Boulton 1964
Roy M. Abagnale 1963
Matthew L. Walsh 1962
Kenneth B. Stucker 1961
John O. Hauschild 1960
Clyne C. Chambers 1959
Col. Thomas F. Burke 1958
Glenn McElwain 1957
Lee Ward 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952,
1953, 1954,1955, 1956
Executive Directors
Current Executive Director:
Carla Peters July 2019-Present
Previous Executive Directors have been:
Megan Gerstel Feb 2017 to 2019
Jessee Walters July 2011 to 2017
Lewis Soli 1994 to 2011
Mickie Connolly 1986 to 1994
M. Antoinette Vigneron 1985 to 1986
C. James Stuart 1978 to 1984
Michael Koury 1971 to 1977
Curtis Ashworth 1968 to 1971
Lorraine Stanley 1965 to 1968
Clyne Chambers 1959 to 1965
Records not available prior to 1959