• 9620 NE Second Avenue Suite 201, Miami Shores, FL, 33138 • 305-754-5466 e-mail: chamberinfo@ miamishores.com • www.miamishores.com • facebook.com/ MiamiShores, The Greater Miami Shores’ Egret is the official publication of the Greater Miami Shores Chamber of Commerce, and is published monthly. 7500 copies of the Egret are distributed to homes, apartments, and businesses within the villages of Miami Shores, Biscayne Park, El Portal, Little River and Upper East Side free of charge. Views expressed in this publication are those of the editorial staff and do not necessarily reflect those of the Board of Directors. Information in it is intended for Chamber member organizations as well as the residents of our communities. Please contact the Chamber for more information on membership, advertising, distribution, or content.
CARLA PETERS , EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
CARLA PETERS
, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
2026 EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
2025 EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Wes Pearce, Graber Realty Group
PRESIDENT
TREASURER
Wes Pearce, Graber Realty Group
Rich Pototsky, CPA, Miami-CFO.com
PAST PRESIDENT
Miami Shores Chamber of Commerce Community Partners
VICE PRESIDENTS
Kate Baumwell, Kate Baumwell Photography
TREASURER
Gigi Turkel, Core Design Group
Angela Young, St. Rose of Lima Church School
Rich Pototsky, CPA, Miami-CFO.com
VICE PRESIDENTS
2026 MUNICIPAL BOARD MEMBERS
Catherine McLaney, The Citadel
Angela Dorney, Miami Shores Village
Jonathan E. Groth, Esq, Mayor, Village of Biscayne Park
Kate Baumwell, Kate Baumwell Photography
Gigi Turkel, Core Design Group
Angela Young, St. Rose of Lima Church School
2026 GENERAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2025 MUNICIPAL BOARD MEMBERS
Angela Dorney, Miami Shores Village
Andrew Bellinson, Esq., Bellinson Law Firm
Roni Bennett, South Florida People of Color
Jonathan E. Groth, Esq, Mayor, Village of Biscayne Park
Robert Bourne, Robert Bourne Real Estate
Victor Bruce, Bruce & Bruce
Maria Leon, Little Stars Dentistry
SunJa Leon, The Nokkha Group
Omarr C. Nickerson, Ph.D., Mayor, Village of El Portal
Vanessa Maggi, Maggi Realty Group
Mélida Matos, Doctors Charter School
2025 GENERAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Diego Caiola, The Florida Marketplace Group
Cristine Pacheco, Rustic French Home
Margarita Perez, MD, Miami Shores Medical Group
Deb Dziena, DD Hospitality & Events
Andrew Bellinson, Esq., Bellinson Law Firm
Roni Bennett, South Florida People of Color
Liangy S. Fernandez-Calli, Resident Member
Julie Isha, Barry University
Robert Bourne, Robert Bourne Real Estate
Cory Gittner, Mediatech
Victor Bruce, Bruce & Bruce
Meghan Grimbert , MGD Shop
Diego Caiola, The Florida Marketplace Group
Robin Hechler, Horace Mann Middle School
Liangy S. Fernandez-Calli, Resident Member
Dennis Kleinman, First Equity \Mortgage Banker, Inc.
Maria Leon, Little Stars Dentistry
Mark Piper, Northwestern
SunJa Leon, The Nokkha Group
Yesenia Rodriguez, Tropical Chevrolet
Scott Smith, Ph.D., Barry University
Vanessa Maggi, Maggi Realty Group
Christian Ulvert, Edge Communications
Mélida Matos, Doctors Charter School
Carter Winkle, Ph.D., Resident Member
Cristine Pacheco, Rustic French Home
Margarita Perez, MD, Miami Shores Medical Group
Mark Piper, Northwestern
Sara Ryan, Museum of Contemporary Art
Scott Smith, Ph.D., Barry University
Paula Szlufman, Primer Microschools
Christian Ulvert, Edge Communications
Carter Winkle, Ph.D., Barry University
Gigi Turkel, Core Design Group : Liangy S. Fernandez-Calli
Omarr C. Nickerson, Ph.D., Mayor, Village of El Portal
Esmond Scott and the Spirit of Miami Shores A Public Servant at Heart:
Article by: Christine Franklin
You’ve seen him walking through downtown Miami Shores, stopping into local businesses, greeting residents, and taking it all in. You know it’s Esmond Scott, our Village Manager - because you won’t catch him without his stylish glasses and signature colorful Converse. Approachable yet purposeful, Scott embodies the balance of professionalism and personality that has come to define his leadership style since joining the Village in 2021.
For Scott, public service isn’t just a career, it’s a calling. With decades of municipal experience, he sees himself first and foremost as a public servant, guided by ethics, integrity, and a deep responsibility to serve all people. These values, he says, must be evident every day, in every situation, and with everyone. It’s what drives him, and it’s quite simply in his DNA.
As Miami Shores moves into 2026, Scott describes the Village as a true neighborhood oasis...a peaceful, green haven amid the surrounding urban skyline. Preserving that identity is a top priority. While growth and density continue to shape the region, Miami Shores offers relief from the noise and pace of city life. Maintaining this character, however, requires thoughtful planning, infrastructure improvements, operational upgrades, and targeted investments that strengthen resilience and sustainability without sacrificing charm.
That vision is supported by a strong leadership team, including Deputy Village Manager Christia Alou, whose recent arrival Scott describes as seamless. Alou brings valuable experience from managing a smaller municipality, a role that required hands-on involvement in every aspect of operations. That well-rounded background, combined with her expertise as an attorney, particularly in labor law, has already proven to be a tremendous asset to the Village.
Photo by: Kate Baumwell
Scott’s leadership philosophy has been shaped by lessons learned over a long career, including advice from his father that still resonates today: you can’t be all things to all people. Trying to do so, he believes, leads to fragmentation and fear-based decision-making. Instead, Scott is committed to leading with resolve and without fear, understanding that fear of criticism or public disfavor can cause paralysis, while confidence and clarity move communities forward.
What continues to inspire him most about Miami Shores is its people. The pride residents have for their Village is unmistakable, and contagious. That collective love for the community fuels Scott’s approach to leadership and reinforces the importance of listening closely to resident voices.
Balancing preservation with progress, Scott believes, starts with staying informed and ahead of narratives that could threaten the Village’s character. Above all, it means listening to residents. That dialogue becomes especially important as the Village tackles major strategic priorities this year, including the delivery of several master plans: Septic to Sewer, Parks, and Stormwater, which will guide future investments and decision-making. Additional efforts include coordinating major infrastructure needs, completing the seawall, overseeing new management of the Golf and Country Club, navigating impacts from South Florida Water Management District projects, and continuing to do what is best to protect the community.
Innovation and sustainability play a central role in this work. With limited capital, Scott emphasizes the importance of being both creative and responsible when it comes to service delivery, infrastructure, technology, and staffing. The goal isn’t just to sustain operations, it’s to enhance them.
When it comes to measuring success, Scott sees it as a relative and deeply personal concept. For him, success means delivering on promises, aligning with the consensus of the Village Council, and “walking the talk.” It’s about accountability, transparency, and following through, even when challenges arise. Internally, success also means ensuring that every team member feels valued, respected, and connected to the larger mission. Clear communication, he believes, is the glue that holds it all together.
Scott encourages residents who want to be more engaged in Village policymaking to take that first step. Volunteer for a board or committee. Attend Council meetings. Learn about state-level issues that affect Miami Shores and Miami-Dade County. Participate in the Citizens Academy. And, perhaps most importantly, don’t hesitate to visit Village Hall. Scott maintains an open-door policy and welcomes respectful dialogue with residents.
That spirit of collaboration extends throughout Village operations. Regular management meetings, cross-department coordination, and ongoing communication help ensure alignment internally, while public meetings, neighborhood discussions, Council engagement, and accessible communication channels keep residents informed and involved.
Looking ahead, Scott is excited to continue delivering on key projects alongside Deputy Village Manager Alou, with a particular focus on knowledge management, retention, and succession planning, ensuring the Village remains strong today and wellprepared for the future.
Outside of Village Hall, assuming he’s ever truly off the clock, Scott recharges by spending time with family, gardening, watching football (the global kind), following track and field, and cheering on the New York Knicks.
Among the many moments that stand out during his tenure, one story remains especially meaningful. In December 2022, Village staff worked tirelessly to help a widowed mother and her two teenage daughters move into a Miami Shores home just before Christmas. Survivors of the Surfside collapse, the family faced multiple obstacles, including fines and permit issues. Thanks to the dedication of Village staff, they were able to move in on December 23. The gratitude - and the smiles - are memories Scott says he will never forget.
It’s stories like these that capture what leadership in Miami Shores is all about: compassion, commitment, and a deep belief in community. And if you
spot Esmond Scott strolling through the Village in his Converse, chances are he’s doing exactly what he loves most: serving the people of Miami Shores.
Left to right: Village Manager Esmond Scott, Deputy Village Manager Christia Alou
Deputy Village Manager Christia E. Alou, Esq. Leadership, Community, and the Future of Miami Shores
For Deputy Village Manager Christia E. Alou, Esq., public service is deeply rooted in family, history, and a strong commitment to community. Growing up in 1970s Atlanta, she was surrounded by the children and grandchildren of political, civil rights, and business leaders such as Maynard Jackson, Andrew Young, and Julian Bond. At home, her grandmother, Elizabeth Martin, served as a policy and legislative aide to the Lieutenant Governor of Georgia and instilled in her family the importance of civic engagement, advocacy, and voting in every election. Those early conversations about government, justice, and community needs planted the seeds for a lifelong dedication to public service.
Christia’s professional journey began shortly after earning her bachelor’s degree from Howard University, where she majored in journalism. One of her first roles was a dream job on Capitol Hill as a media and public affairs coordinator for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute.There, she produced a video series featuring Hispanic members of Congress who shared what inspired them to serve, along with the challenges and successes they encountered along the way. Navigating the halls of the U.S. Capitol, working closely with elected officials, staff, and constituents from across the country, left a lasting impression. The experience reinforced her belief that people want transparency, accountability, and responsive governmentand that public service, at its best, delivers all three.
Throughout her career, Christia has remained rooted in government work at every level. Even during her time at the law firm Verrill & Dana, she served as a government affairs advocate on Capitol Hill. Her experience spans national, state, county, and municipal government, including more than eight years as Village Manager for neighboring El Portal. There, she led a municipality with the smallest budget in Miami-Dade County, often managing departments with just one staff member each. That hands-on environment required innovation, adaptability, and a strong reliance on technology and strategic partnerships, skills she now brings to Miami Shores, where an in-house Information Technology department is helping modernize Village operations.
Her leadership style blends coaching, transformational, and servant leadership, with a strong em-
phasis on service. For Christia, servant leadership means empowering staff, whom she considers the Village’s greatest resource and subject matter experts, by providing the tools, training, and support they need to succeed. She believes a respectful, professional, and empowering workplace is essential to attracting and retaining top talent, even when financial resources are limited. And when transitions are necessary, she believes those, too, should be handled with professionalism and respect.
What makes her role in Miami Shores especially meaningful is that it’s also home. Christia has lived in the Village for nearly 20 years. It’s where she purchased her first home, where her daughter was born and raised, and where she hopes she will always feel she can return. Serving the community she loves is both a professional honor and a personal joy. She’s excited to help preserve Miami Shores’ unique character while contributing to its continued growth and full realization.
In her first year, Christia is focused on listening and learning, working closely with the Mayor and Council, Village Manager Esmond Scott, department leaders, staff, and advisory boards. She’s committed to advancing priorities identified through strategic plans, studies, and code recommendations, while also reinvigorating efforts around economic development, particularly along the NE 2nd Avenue corridor. As an active resident and seasoned administrator, she brings both fresh perspective and deep understanding to the Village’s leadership team.
Christia speaks highly of Village Manager Esmond Scott, noting his strong reputation across the county and his commitment to mentorship and collaboration. Under his guidance, she has been immersed in day-to-day operations, from Council agenda briefings to resident meetings.Their professional partnership is further reflected in her role as current President of the Miami-Dade City and County Management Association, a leadership opportunity she credits, in part, to Manager Scott’s encouragement and support.
Community engagement is central to Christia’s approach. Having served for several years on the Miami Shores Parks and Recreation Advisory Board,
she has firsthand experience with the dedication of volunteer board members and the value they bring. She believes resident input plays a vital role in shaping policy and services, and she welcomes conversations with residents as opportunities to listen, collaborate, and work toward solutions. When the answer can be “yes,” she’s thrilled to help make it happen, and when it can’t, she’s committed to honesty and transparency.
Outside of work, Christia enjoys giving back through arts and charitable initiatives with a national organization. She finds joy in gardening, home improvement projects, and spending time with friends at local favorites like Pura Vida and the Miami Shores Country Club. One of her favorite routines is walking through the neighborhood with her daughter, combining mind, body, and spirit time with a stroll down NE 2nd Avenue to visit local shops. She’s especially excited to see continued growth and new businesses opening along the Village’s downtown corridor.
With deep roots in public service and an even deeper love for Miami Shores, Deputy City Manager Christia E. Alou brings experience, empathy, and energy to her role, helping guide the Village forward while honoring the community that has long been home.
Let Miami Shores be your Love Language
Valentine’s Day in Miami Shores is all about celebrating love through creativity and thoughtful choices. This year, explore the neighborhood’s artful side, where local shops offer inspired gifts that feel personal and full of heart. From beautiful floral designs and handcrafted pieces to unique, art driven finds, there are countless ways to surprise and delight the people you love.
Whether you are shopping for a partner, a friend, or yourself, Miami Shores invites you to give something meaningful, expressive, and made with care. Because the best Valentine’s gifts are the ones that reflect the creativity behind them and the love they represent.
Element Home & Lifestyle
Petal & Flame simmer pot blend. It’s a romantic, modern scent made with patchouli, rose, dragon fruit, lavender, and pink peppercorn comforting yet intriguing, designed to softly fill the home with floral warmth and a hint of embered spice.
Petal & Flame can be purchased as:
Individual pre-made packets – $16
Glass jar gift – $24
Complete simmer pot w/featured blend – $64
9480 NE 2nd Ave Miami Shores, (786) 663-4131
@elementhomelifestyle
Red Glass Hearts (Sculptural Pair) $160 set
These glass hearts capture love as something both fragile and resilient - luminous, imperfect, and shaped by heat and time.
Carlos Andrade, Night Flowers, 2025 Mixed media on canvas. 50” x 62” (127x157.5 cm) - $3800
Two profiles face one another beneath a vivid bouquet, turning the arrangement into a portrait of connection. Intimacy held in a shared gaze.
This Valentine’s Day, E&E Flowers is offering beautifully designed bouquets with premium Ecuadorian roses, finished with elegant wrapping, a signature bow, and care instructions. Bouquets start at $105, with free delivery to Miami Shores residents. Order via Instagram DM @ee.flowers or text 305-733-2255
Marcus Blake
This is a bold geometric portrait exploring resilience, identity, and emotional strength through vibrant color and fractured form.
Acrylic on Canvas – 24”x 36” #2023 Price - $1,500
Marcus Blake, is Jamaican born, Miami based multimedia artist @MDOTBLAKE
Velvety soft and beautifully detailed, the Elizabeth Scarlett heart collection turns everyday pouches, makeup bags, and eye masks into love-filled keepsakes, perfect Valentine’s treats from $30 – $70.
155 NE 96th St, Miami Shores (305) 491-2178 @rusticfrenchhome
Rustic French Home
Title - Jersey Girl
Where Neighbors
Connect and Just Have Fun!
What a great start to 2026. January had us on the move, from our annual board meeting and the swearing in of an incredible 2026 Board of Directors, to a lunch and conversation with Village Manager Esmond Scott alongside the Miami Shores Friendly Villagers. We wrapped up the month in true Chamber style with a memorable celebration honoring our Citizen of the Year, Liangy Fernandez-Calli, surrounded by friends, colleagues, and community champions. These moments are a reminder of how connected and engaged our village truly is.
February is already shaping up to be just as fun with a networking event at SKN Elements. Visit miamishores.com and sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on all of our upcoming events and opportunities to get involved.
A Heart That Leads
Dr. Margarita Perez Caminero
There are people whose presence quietly anchors a community. Not because they seek the spotlight, but because they show up with consistency, compassion, and care. Dr. Margarita Perez Caminero is one of those people.
A cardiologist, business owner, Chamber board member, and mother of two, Margarita’s story is rooted in service. Long before Miami Shores became home, her journey into medicine began in the Dominican Republic, where she saw firsthand how deeply a compassionate physician can impact not just a patient, but an entire family.
“Medicine felt like the perfect intersection of science, purpose, and humanity,” she says. Being present during people’s most vulnerable moments and helping them heal was not just a career choice. It was a calling.
During her early medical training, Margarita also spent time serving in the military. It is not something she leads with, but the experience shaped her in lasting ways. Balancing demanding responsibilities taught her discipline, resilience, and the importance of showing up even when things felt overwhelming. Looking back, she credits that period with helping her realize something important early on: I can do hard things.
That mindset would serve her well as her path led her to the United States. Like many immigrants, her original intention was to return home. Life, however, had other plans. Starting over in a new country was both humbling and empowering. Professionally, it meant years of additional training and perseverance. Personally, it required patience, hope, and trust that the sacrifices would one day be worth it, especially for her family.
Miami Shores began to feel like home when Margarita and her husband decided to start their family. As she began practicing here, neighbors became patients and familiar faces became friends. It is a place where relationships matter, and once they became part of that rhythm, Miami Shores truly felt like home.
Together with her husband, she co-owns Miami Shores Medical, a community-based practice offering comprehensive cardiovascular, rheumatology and endocrinology care. Their vision was simple: to create a patient-centered practice rooted in trust, continuity, and long-term relationships. “I hesitated about working with my husband,” she says with a laugh. “I worried about whether it would work. It ended up being the best professional decision I’ve made.”
For Dr. Perez Caminero, one of the most rewarding parts of building Miami Shores Medical has been caring for generations of families and watching patients grow alongside her own children. The business side of medicine exists to support the mission, not replace it. Every decision is guided by how it will affect patient
care and experience.
When patients walk through the doors, she hopes they feel seen, heard, and cared for. Not rushed. Not overlooked. Just genuinely supported.
Outside the office, life is full and fast paced. Mornings begin with school routines and workdays filled with patient care and meetings. Evenings return her to mom mode. She and her husband are raising two young boys, and like many working parents, balance is an ongoing effort rather than a fixed achievement.
Her children have taught her some of her most important lessons. Hearing comments like “Mommy, you work too much” can be difficult, she admits, but they serve as opportunities to do better and be more present. They have shown her that presence matters more than perfection, and that slowing down to appreciate the small moments is essential.
She hopes her sons grow up seeing resilience, integrity, and kindness. That hard work and compassion can coexist. And that serving others is one of life’s greatest privileges.
As a working mother, Margarita is quick to challenge the misconception that success in one role comes at the expense of another. Working mothers, she believes, are incredibly intentional and resourceful. At the same time, she emphasizes the importance of grace. Accepting that not everything will always be perfect, that some moments will be missed, and that doing your best is enough.
Her commitment to Miami Shores extends beyond her medical practice. Serving on the Board of Directors for the Greater Miami Shores Chamber of Commerce felt like a natural extension of her desire to give back to the place that has given her family so much. She believes small, locally owned businesses are the heartbeat of a closeknit community, creating relationships, keeping resources local, and giving a town its unique character.
She also believes physicians have a role beyond the exam room. As advocates, educators, and community leaders, their responsibility extends into the overall wellness and vitality of the towns they serve.
When Dr. Perez Caminero reflects on her journey so far, she is most proud of building a life rooted in purpose. Professionally, personally, and within the community, all while staying true to her values.
Her advice to women, immigrants, and young mothers who are dreaming big but feeling overwhelmed is refreshingly honest. Take it one step at a time. Accept that there will be failures and learn from them. Progress is built through persistence, not perfection.
In this season of life, success looks like balance. Being present for her family, serving her patients well, and contributing meaningfully to the community she calls home.
Compassionate, driven, and grounded. Those are the words Margarita uses to describe herself. They are also the qualities that make Dr. Margarita Perez Caminero such a gift to Miami Shores.
Remarka
Love who you’ll become.
When you realize that your story matters and you’re determined to move forward with power and purpose, Barry will give you the tools and experience you need to succeed – with flexibility, caring educators, financial support, and a comprehensive system that’s invested in helping you become a sought-after professional in your field. You are meant to do this.
A SPECIAL
Thank you!
TO OUR SPONSORS
We extend our sincere gratitude to our generous sponsors for their invaluable support of the 2025 Citizen of the Year Celebration. Your commitment and partnership made this event possible and helped us honor an outstanding individual, Liangy Fernandez Calli, who makes a meaningful difference in our community.
WINGS OF GOLD SPONSORS
Greater Miami Shores Chamber of Commerce
The Calli Family ROYAL MONARCH SPONSORS
GRAND CHRYSALIS SPONSORS
CLAUG
PAINTED LADY SPONSORS
AMPERSAND STUDIOS
KORNREICH & ASSOCIATES DOUG & GIGI TURKEL
VIDEO TRIBUTE SPONSORS
CATHERINE MCLANEY & FAMILY
CARLA PETERS & FAMILY
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