The Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that its Board of Governors has chosen Alan Lips as the winner of the 2009-10 James McDonnell Award. This most coveted award is presented annually to the outstanding Board of Governor based upon criteria such as length of board service and contributions to both the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce and the community at large. “Alan’s commitment to our organization and his integrity are unmatched” said Immediate Past Chair Aaron Perry.
“During my term as Chair, there was no one who worked harder or smarter than Alan and I’m proud to call him my friend”. Alan played an instrumental role in the Chamber’s recent restructuring and turnaround. “Alan’s guidance and leadership has helped steer us through some challenging times and he’ll continue to play a paramount role in my vision for the Chamber moving forward” stated new Board Chair Jason Loeb. “I look forward to presenting the James McDonnell Award to this well deserving leader.”
Lips has been serving on the Chamber’s Board of Governors for the past six years, having spent five of them as treasurer and a member of its Executive Board. “Alan has contributed so much to the Chamber and is truly admired by his peers,” stated Jerry Libbin, President and CEO of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce.
Lips is a partner with the Miami Beach accounting firm of Gerson Preston Robinson & Company handling complex international and local tax matters and financial reporting for significant clients from all over the U.S., South America and throughout the world. Loved by his partners and staff, Lips has served both the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce and the local community as a dynamic leader and friend through his commitment to giving back.
Lips has served on various Miami Beach government boards and has been a prominent fundraiser and member of the Board of Trustees at Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach’s largest employer and South Florida’s premier medical center. “Alan continues the rich tradition of his firm in giving back to his community. As a Chamber Board member, he consistently displayed perseverance, vision and unbridled support in moving the Chamber’s mission forward. Over the years he has balanced his Board responsibilities with his personal abilities to lead, mentor and befriend Chamber members in to future leaders”, stated Michael Milberg, Executive Director of the Mount Sinai Medical Center Foundation and Past Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce Chair.
Lips’ senior partner, Gary Gerson, CPA, is no stranger to the Miami Beach Chamber and has been a prominent leader in our community for many years. Gerson started the GPR accounting firm on Miami Beach in 1959 as a small accounting office and never looked back. Today the firm has three offices with locations in Miami Beach, Brickell and Boca Raton, and has close to 100 employees. In 1997, Gerson was also recognized by the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce for his impact on our local community. His leadership over the years has been extensive including service as the Chairman of the Board of Mount Sinai Medical Center during the 1990’s. The University of Florida named its accounting school, Gary R. Gerson Hall, the only free standing accounting school at a major university in the world.
The Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce is proud to have people like Alan Lips and Gary Gerson as contributing members of the Chamber and the community as a whole. Alan will be presented the James McDonnell Award at the Chamber’s Champions of Business Luncheon in January.
