The 100 most powerful people in South Florida

South Florida CEO, Jan, 2004

George Feldenkreis

Chairman/CEO, Perry Ellis International

Acquiring licensee Salant last year turned Perry Ellis into a $600 million company, making Feldenkreis an ever bigger player on the international fashion stage, where he already owned the rights to such brands as Jantzen, John Henry, Penguin and Nautica. He's South Florida's largest clothing player. In the Cuban Jewish community, few rival his stature.

Ray Ferrero, Jr.

President, Nova Southeastern University

Ferrero's business connections have largely contributed to the rapidly increasing prestige of the university, one of Broward's largest employers. A call from Ray Ferrero is always taken.

Hamilton and Austin Forman

Landowner and President, American Marketing & Management

This father and son stay quiet, and have managed to wield big influence without ever surfacing in the spotlight. But they are believed to be the State of Florida's largest landowners; they own at least 700 acres in Broward. Austin sits on the boards of the Museum of Discovery and Science, and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, and Hamilton is a behind-the-scenes political broker.

Phil Frost

CEO, Ivax Corp.

One of South Florida's true corporate titans and most successful entrepreneurs. Besides his bioscience holdings, he's chairman of Whitman Education. The chairman of the University of Miami's Board of Trustees, Frost made headlines this year with a $33 million donation to UM's school of music. He has also committed enough money to FIU's museum to get it named after his family.

Calixto Garcia-Velez

President, Citibank Florida/Business Manager, Citibank South Division

It's the money, honey! 2004's Beacon Council chairperson heads Florida operations for the nation's largest bank. This year, he got the added responsibility of business manager for Citibank South--a region which extends from Washington, D.C. to Puerto Rico.

Linda Gill

President, Gill Hotels

Her touch has influenced--and helped--nearly every facet of Broward tourism. Taking the family mantle and expanding her mandate, she's on tourist boards from Fort Lauderdale to the State of Florida, and maintains strong Republican political credentials.

Carol Graham Wyllie and William E. Graham

CEO/President and Executive Vice President, The Graham Companies

Even though the city of Miami Lakes has incorporated, William remains its corporate patriarch. Sister Carol runs day-to-day real estate operations at the $80-million company, and is its most active community representative.

Nancy Graham

Director, West Palm Beach Downtown Development agency

Even after her mayoral years ended in 1999, it seemed no one could make a move in West Palm Beach without her OK. After helping elect a new mayor in 2003, the new urbanist consultant was appointed executive director of the city's downtown development agency.

Howard Greenberg

Director of Circulation, Sun-Sentinel

Every day, more than 600,000 readers in Broward and Palm Beach counties get the news thanks to his touch. Though Bob Gremion is the publisher, Greenberg is the public face of the paper, serving as a key player with the Broward Alliance and maintaining strong links to the business community.