South Florida's business personalities: The return of Ghomeshi - People

South Florida CEO, Dec, 2003 by J.P. Faber

When Mehdi Ghomeshi retired last year from his post as president of BankUnited, that institution had achieved record growth and profits. That was merely the last act in a career that included running the Miami division of Barnett Bank (until Barnett was taken over by NationsBank) and then running the Miami division of NationsBank (before it was taken over by Bank of America). Now the man with the golden touch is back, this time in charge of a bank he is forming with some very potent partners. Ghomeshi and his backers expect to launch Great Florida Bank sometime in the first quarter of 2004, with the ultimate goal of making it the largest bank based in Florida. "Hopefully we are going to prove that the name is very appropriate for it," says Ghomeshi. The banker will be joined by a board of directors who include Joseph P. Lacher, president of BellSouth Florida (who will be chairman of the board); former Deloitte & Touche managing partner Sherrill Hudson; legendary marketing man Leslie V. Pantin Jr.; and attorney/Mayor of Coral Gables Don Slesnick. And the bank to beat for the title of biggest based in Florida? BankUnited, now with more than $7 billion in assets.

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