Norman Braman
Category Billionaires
Company Braman Enterprises
Industry Automobile
What Makes Him Haute: Braman Motors is where many of the Haute 100 members turn to for their luxury rides, such as Bentleys, Rolls-Royces, Bugattis, BMWs, Minis, and Cadillacs. Braman not only owns some 23 auto dealerships in Florida and Colorado, but is also an avid art collector. His portfolio of works by Picasso, Jasper Johns, Andy Warhol and others is what put him in the billionaire category in late 2008.
Jonathan and Criselda
Breene
Category Power Couples
Company The Setai Group
Industry Real Estate
Development, Philanthropy
What Makes Them Haute: He is the cofounder of luxury hotel and residential property management company, The Setai Group, while she is a socialite and philanthropist with a wardrobe to envy. Together the Breene’s are regular fixtures in the Miami circuit, playing integral roles in the development of the city on many levels.
Romero Britto
Category Artist
Company Romero Britto
Industry Art
What Makes Him Haute: After moving to the United States from Brazil and opening a public studio in Miami, Britto was commissioned by Absolut Vodka to design an artwork from their well-recognized logo, placing him in the ranks of past Absolut collaborators such as Warhol and Haring. Today, Britto’s work is recognized around the world–over twenty cities have his sculptures as permanent installations. He was even invited to display his iconic works of art at the Salon Nationale des Beaux-Arts exhibition at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris. Recently, Britto was commissioned to paint a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II in honor of the 60th anniversary of her reign. An artistic activist for charitable organizations worldwide, Britto also donates to over 250 charities a year, including this year’s Brazil Foundation gala, where he was an honoree, which was held for the first time in Miami at the W South Beach Hotel and Residences and The Miami Children’s Museum.
Paula and Bob Brockway
Category Power Couples
Company Bill Ussery Motors
Industry Automobile
What Makes Them Haute: She is a philanthropist and 2007 “Woman of Spirit” award winner; he is chairman of Bill Ussery Motors in Coral Gables, which has been operating for more than 50 years, making it the secondoldest Mercedes-Benz dealership in the nation. This couple is highly dedicated to philanthropic endeavors through support of local institutions like the Red Cross of Miami and the Florida Keys, CHARLEE Homes for Children, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, and more.
Michael Capponi
Category Entrepreneurs
Company Capponi Group Corporation
Industry Real Estate / Nightlife
What Makes Him Haute: While his nightlife ventures may have put him on the map, it was his other businesses (Capponi Group Luxury Properties, Capponi Building Company, and Capponi Casa) that caught the fickle attention of Miami’s luxe-seeking crowd. From revamping Miami Executive Airport to major home renovations—including JR and Loren Ridinger’s Casa de Sueños—Capponi is at the center of the city’s entrepreneurial scene, as well as the philanthropic one. Following the devastating earthquake in Haiti, he went to the island nation and ended up building a proper camp for hundreds of families on a soccer field. Similarly focused journeys to impoverished nations such as Cuba act as his testament to the difference one person can make.
RAUL CASARES
CATEGORY Entrepreneurs
COMPANY RC Aluminum Industries
INDUSTRY Construction
What Makes Him Haute: He not only shelters us from the storms by providing hurricane shutters for Florida homes, but his company’s highend glass products adorn luxury structures like Apogee, ICON South Beach, Acqualina Resort, American Airlines Arena, and Trump Tower. Casares arrived in Miami from Cuba in the 1950s and founded RC Aluminum in the early 1990s. He spent the subsequent two decades building RC Aluminum into a powerhouse with more than $100 million in revenue each year. Today, under Casares’ brilliant direction, RC Aluminum continues to invest in researching the very best in aluminum and glass technology so that every shutter, window, or door stamped RC promises safety and style. His most recent projects include: William Island, Bellini Aventura Optima Plaza and The Children’s Court House, Miami Dade
Robert and Brenda Nestor Castellano
Category Power Couples
Company Choice Therapeutics & Victor
Posner Enterprises
Industry Medical & Real Estate
What Makes Them Haute: Brenda is a former model and actress who is now chairman of Victor Posner Enterprises, a Miami-based real estate development firm. Robert’s Choice Therapeutics develops, manufactures, and commercializes innovative medical devices such as TheraBond, an antimicrobial barrier system that helps prevent infections in hospital settings. Their involvement for the betterment of the community reads like a laundry list. The Easter Seals Florida Derby Day, Fairchild’s Gala in the Garden, Miami Science Museum’s Building the Future Gala, and the American Red Cross Ball are only a few of the philanthropic events that this couple is involved in.
Helio Castroneves
Category Athletes
Company Penske
Industry Formula 1 Racing
What Makes Him Haute: Castroneves has driven and danced his way into the hearts of people around the world. As the only active driver to have earned the distinction of being a three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 and the only racecar driver ever to become a “Dancing with the Stars” Champion, the Fort Lauderdale resident was also a Haute Living Miami cover star in 2009. In 2010, Castroneves also released a popular book about his life entitled Victory Road – The Ride of My Life, which chronicled his rise to stardom and how he handled his high-profile tax case and triumphant return to racing. Recently, Castroneves spearheaded the Brazil Foundation’s annual Gala at the W South Beach Hotel and Residences.
The Cayre Family
Category Entrepreneurs
Company Midtown Equities/Core Group
Marketing
Industry Real Estate
What Makes Him Haute: Joe Cayre founded Midtown Equities LLC (MEQS) in 2000 to expand his real estate holdings. He went on to develop Midtown Miami – a $2.3 billion mixed-use community, and acquired five million square feet of retail and office space in Washington, D.C., amongst other properties. A leading philanthropist, he serves on the boards of several institutions including his own, “The Joe and Trina Cayre Foundation.” His sons Jack and Michael also currently work in the family business. Jack, currently serves as a Principal, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the firm’s investment platform. Michael is responsible for commercial acquisition and leasing activities.
Wayne Chaplin and Arlene chaplin
Category Entrepreneurs
Company Southern Wine & Spirits of
America/YogArt
Industry Liquor & Wine Distribution
What Makes Them Haute: Wayne Chaplin serves as President and Chief Operating Officer for Southern Wine & Spirits of America. In addition to being a savvy businessman, Chaplin is active in the social and philanthropic circuits as well, volunteering in various leadership activities at his alma mater. He serves on the University of Miami’s Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee, and acts as the current Chairman of the Master Planning and Construction Committee for the University. His wife Arlene is also involved in developing community-bettering initiatives such Yo- Gart, a concept offering sunrise and sunset yoga sessions so that people could “Take a Breather during Art Basel.”
