Development in Palm Beach North Panel Luncheon, hosted by the Young Professionals Council

The Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce invites you to a powerful and engaging forum spotlighting the future of development in our region—from the urban corridors of West Palm Beach to the coastal communities of Tequesta.

As Palm Beach County continues to emerge as a national hub for business, finance, and innovation, this event will explore the transformative projects and development driving our area forward—including the rise of Wall Street South, a movement bringing top financial firms and C-suite talent to our region.
 

Kelly Smallridge
President & CEO, The Business Development Board of Palm Beach County
Kelly L. Smallridge is President and CEO of Palm Beach County’s public/private economic development agency, the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County (BDB) where she has worked for over three decades. She serves as the longest tenured economic development President in the State of Florida and has a solid track record in facilitating some of the largest job creation projects for Palm Beach County. In 2013, Governor Rick Scott awarded Kelly with the Governor’s Ambassador Medal recognizing her hard work in creating jobs in Palm Beach County.

In 2022, Kelly was inducted into the University of Florida’s Golden Gators. Kelly oversees all operations of the Business Development Board which is one of only six Accredited Economic Development Boards in the State of Florida. In 2004, she became the first female President of a South Florida economic development board after serving in many different capacities within the organization including the lead role for the Recruitment, Retention and Expansion from 1988-2004. In addition, she serves on the following boards: Select Florida, Southeast Economic Development Council, international Economic Development Council, South Florida Fair, the Homeless Coalition, the Housing Leadership Council and The Education Foundation.

In 2013 and 2019, she was featured on Fox News, CNBC and the NY Post touting the assets of Palm Beach County and leading the Wall Street South initiative. Under her leadership, the BDB has received numerous state and national awards for its work in recruiting and expanding companies to Palm Beach County and is credited with facilitating two of the world’s largest bioscience organizations to the state: The Scripps Research Institute from San Diego and the Max Planck Society from Germany. Her aggressive style in facilitating relocations and expansions has led to big announcements of jobs for this county from companies like Carrier Corporation, Amazon, ADT, Pratt & Whitney, G4S, Fed Ex, Sikorsky Helicopters, Aldi, and TBC Corporation to name a few. Kelly is also credited with creating several new programs for Palm Beach County: the first Expedited Permitting Ordinance which was adopted by 15 cities in Palm Beach County; a countywide “Shovel Ready” program to identify sites ready for construction within 12 months as well as several education initiatives involving high school and college level students.

Peter Baytarian
Managing Partner, Forest Development
Peter Baytarian is the Founder and Managing Partner of Forest Development, a multi-faceted team of real estate development professionals with decades of experience. Forest Development acquires and develops undervalued and primarily waterfront properties in or adjacent to growing cities in Florida. Investing in areas on the path of development empowers the team to create destinations and shape vibrant communities. The diversified investment strategy of the company includes adding value through strategic partnerships and opportunities with mixed-use, multifamily, luxury condominiums, hotels, retail, restaurants, and marinas.

Forest Development has various projects in process on both the east and west coasts of Florida. Nautilus 220, a luxury mixed-use development currently underway with completion anticipated for Spring 2025 at 220 Lake Shore Drive in Lake Park, FL, will include 330 condominium residences in two towers, SeaHawk Prime by David Burke, a restaurant with golf + sport simulators, a café, retail, and office alongside the Lake Park Harbor Marina. Oculina is a luxury mixed-use development with Intracoastal Waterway and Atlantic Ocean views at 3700 Broadway, Riviera Beach, FL. The 25-story, two tower project will include 399 condominiums, resort style amenities, a cafe, fast casual and fine dining restaurants, retail and office. Oculina is fully entitled and sales are slated to launch in the fall of 2025.

Additionally, Peter is the Founder and Managing Partner of two firms based in New York, NY focused on the renovation, ownership and management of high-end value-add properties including townhomes, condominiums, and commercial sites in Manhattan. Previously he was a developer and home builder in Cape Cod, MA completing more than 150 residences. Peter was born in Beirut, Lebanon, attended high school at The American School in London and studied economics at Boston University. He resides with his wife and two daughters in Palm Beach County. Peter serves as a member of the Executive Trustee Council for the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce.

Jack Weir
President, CEO & Founder, Eastwind Development
Mr. Weir founded Eastwind Development in 2007 and has served as President/CEO since then. Eastwind is based in Palm Beach Gardens with a second office in Orlando. The company has developed over 4,000 units in 24 multifamily projects throughout the state of Florida, including workforce, affordable, market and active adult rental residential communities. Before Eastwind, he was responsible for the financing and development of over 6,000 units in Florida and five other states. He has considerable experience in arranging debt and equity financing from multiple private capital sources, and has extensive knowledge of the housing tax credit program, tax-exempt revenue bonds, and a wide variety of public loan programs.

Since 2020, Mr. Weir has served as Chairman of the Housing Leadership Council of Palm Beach County, a nonprofit housing advocacy and policy advisory group for workforce and affordable housing. He was chairman of the successful campaign to persuade the voters of Palm Beach County to approve the $200 million housing bond in November 2022, and worked closely with County Commission and staff on the recent approval of the County-wide Housing For All Plan. He also chairs the Workforce Housing Subcommittee of the Economic Council. He is a graduate of Harvard Law School and is a member of the Florida Bar.

• Sponsorship deadline is ONE WEEK before the event! Click the blue "Register" button at the top right corner of the event webpage (see this video tutorial) to secure your spot. Email Brittany Cartwright for further questions.
• *Sponsorships are available for PBN Chamber members only. Membership start at just $565 for businesses with up to 2 employees or $175 for an individual Young Professional. Become a member today!