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2010-2011 OFFICERS

Paula Pirozzi, President

The Coral Springs Charter Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association selected Paula Pirozzi as their Top Ten Candidate. She will compete with candidates from across the nation for the honor of being one of the “Top Ten Business Women of ABWA.”

A 10-year member of the association, Paula also belongs to the Northern Palm Beach Chapter in North Palm Beach, Florida. She is a former ABWA District I Vice President, chapter President, Vice President, Treasurer and Woman of the Year. For the 2009-2010 chapter year, she will serve the Coral Springs chapter as President-Elect. A member of ABWA's prestigious Inner Circle , Paula is a Top Ten candidate who was named Coral Springs ’ Chapter Woman of the Year in 2004. She has also been chair, vice chair and secretary of the Tri County Council. Paula has been active in groups that include the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast , Lupus Foundation and the American Cancer Society. Starting her career in the banking industry, Paula has worked her way from a teller to a branch manager with various different financial institutions. Advancing yet further in her career, Paula is now a training officer for SunTrust Bank in Deerfield Beach, Florida . She is responsible for planning, scheduling and conducting training programs.

Paula lives in Boca Raton, Florida with her husband of 15 years, Vinny and their two dogs, Apache and Star. Paula’s hobbies include reading, beading and doting on her nieces and nephews.

Jo Burdette, President-Elect

Jo Burdette is a Ftr. Executive Senior Sales Director, with Mary Kay Cosmetics, an internationally known company with yearly wholesale sales of over $2 billion. Jo consults regularly with women from a variety of fields to help them look and feel their best. Jo epitomizes the company motto of “Enriching Women’s Lives ®”. Having been with Mary Kay for 30 years, Jo has recruited, trained, and helped women reach their dream of financial independence while working in a fun career.

Raised in West Virginia, Jo now lives with her husband and three dogs in Coral Springs, Florida. She has two children and two grandchildren. Jo is also very active in her church and community organizations, namely the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA), where she has been named Membership Chairman. In her free time, Jo donates her time to many charitable organizations in South Florida

Randee Abramson, Vice President
Welcome! My name is Randee Abramson. I was born in Long Island, NY and am one of three sisters. I moved to South Florida in my teen years and graduated Cooper City High School. I continued my education at Florida Atlantic University and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting.      After obtaining my Certified Public Accountant designation, I joined Arthur Anderson as an auditor, and went to work for one of my clients, Development Corporation of America (DCA) and continued my business experience with real estate companies such as Wilshire Corporation, Homes of South Florida, Transeastern Homes, and Lennar Homes of Broward County in the capacities of Controller or VP of Finance. I am married to my high school sweetheart, Stuart, and have two wonderful and challenging teenagers, Brian-16 and Nicole-15. I enjoy gourmet cooking, traveling, and dancing, although it is not often I get the opportunity.
     In 2007, I had changed career paths and decided to get out from behind the desk and work with people in a position where I could help them achieve their goals, whether they are looking to find the perfect home, selling their existing home, relocating to another area, leasing or purchasing commercial property or marketing their businesses. I completed courses at the Coldwell Banker University honing my core and specialized real estate skills, and completed a Harvard Business School Professional Real Estate Investing course, to assist my clients with the technical knowledge needed to succeed. I hold certifications as Certified Negotiation Specialist (CNS), and Transnational Referral Certification (TRC). I serve on the International Real Estate committee of the Realtor Association of Greater Fort Lauderdale (RAGFL) and as Hospitality chair of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA).
     I work at the Coral Springs/Heron Bay office of Coldwell Banker selling residential and commercial real estate in the Coral Springs/Parkland and surrounding areas, and am a licensed real estate agent and a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the Florida Association of Realtors (FAR), and the Realtor Association of Greater Fort Lauderdale (RAGFL). I am focused on the highest quality customer service and bring years of professional experience and dedication to the customer, in every process, every day, and also work as an associate for John Sommerer & Co., P.A., CPA’s running a successful CPA practice during tax season.
     My objectives for this year are to build professional relationships with other successful women, who will both understand the roadblocks as well as the rewards of business ownership. I hope to become more comfortable with public speaking and develop lifelong friendships. I would also like to give back to our community through volunteer projects that improve the lives of others less fortunate.

Sherri Miller, Secretary

Sherri is happy to be a new member of ABWA. She is eager to serve the community thru our chapter and is looking forward to serving as Secretary and learning about ABWA and it’s many functions.

Sherri represents Kuhn Flooring Gallery in the Coral Springs Chamber of Commerce, serving as an Ambassador and participating in a Referral Group. She belongs to the Coral Springs Newcomers. She feels it is a pleasure and a responsibility to be a working part of the community.

Sherri's and her daughter Jordan moved to Coconut Creek 13 years ago. They became instant Floridians and it is hard to imagine living anywhere else. Since then they have lived and worked in Boca Raton, Delray Beach , Fort Lauderdale , and Coral Springs .

Sherr is from a suburb of Chicago and graduated from Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin . She has a degree in Art and in Education. Sherri taught elementary, secondary and adult art for almost 15 years, in Waukegan, Illinois . She moved to Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband and daughter for his business. Sherri decided to take a break from teaching and enter the design field. She went into sales, specifying and design with McSwain Carpets and worked in residential, commercial and builder sales and designed custom area rugs for 10 years. This led to furniture sales and design.

After attending a family wedding in Miami , Sherri and her daughter decided to move to Florida to be near family and live the good life. Since moving to South Florida she has worked for Robb and Stucky Interiors in Boca Raton , ABC Carpet and Home in Delray Beach , and now with Kuhn Flooring Gallery in Coral Springs . Kuhn Flooring Gallery is a family owned business that has been selling and installing wood, laminate, carpet, area rugs, porcelain tile and marble for over 30 years. We do work from Miami to Vero Beach and specialize in customer satisfaction and service

Barbara Weiss, Treasurer
Barbara is a mother of 3 children and 5 grandchildren She was raised in the Bronx and New Jersey and attended Paterson State Teachers College. Barbara spent 30 years as a purchasing manager for different types of manufacturing companies.

Barbara moved to Florida 20 years agao and started a bookkeeping service in 2003 called Keeping it Straight. Keeping it Straight caters to small businesses as well as individulas in need of bookkeeping assistance.

Dr. Dora Vilk-Shapiro, President
Dora is active in many business groups. She is the current Woman of the Year for ABWA, recognized for 2008 Hispanic Woman of Distinction, a past board member of WEC-Women's Executive Club, a Past-President, Past Secretary, and past-program chair of NAWBO-National Association of Women Business Owners: Broward/Ft. Lauderdale chapter. Dora is a life member of National Council of Jewish Women, a member of Temple Beth Orr, and an award winning member of WOSO-Women of Spanish Origin.
In addition, she has been the recipient of many other awards including: Pioneer 2000, a NAWBO National Leadership award, the Triple Teal Heart, NAWBO's State award, the Crystal Slipper Award, and is also a past Honoree of the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Broward County-Mother of the Year Award. She was also a semifinalist in S. Florida Business Journal's Entrepreneur Awards. Dora received her Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Dental School in 1986 and her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Florida. Dora is a Family and Cosmetic Dentist who merged her practice of Dental Visions with Dr. Alan Bussell at The Tamarac Dentist in Tamarac.She is also Adjunct Faculty and Clinical Dentist for Broward Dental Research Clinic, Dental Hygiene Program at Broward Community College.
Originally from Cuba, she is fluent in Spanish. Dora lives in Kensington, in Coral Springs with her husband Larry Shapiro, PhD who works for Merck and Jordan her adorable 20 year old son and future dentist! She also is the proud mom of her furry son, Mr. Peanut, her 8 year old Boston Terrier. Dora enjoys swimming, biking, reading, and community service.