The Miami Lakes Chamber of Commerce held elections and made appointments to fill some seats on its board, the business boosters announced during their March 12 luncheon.      Fred Senra stepped down as president of the chamber after leading it for nearly five years.           During his tenure, it has grown to 185 members, created a functioning website; launched an annual...

     The University of Florida named alumni Helen Roldan one of its 40 Gators Under 40 awardees for 2025.      “I’m honored,” Roldan said on March 14. “UF shaped a lot of my world view and things I’m passionate about. It’s special to go back to the university and be recognized. I hope I can do them proud.”      Honorees are chosen for their impact...

Miami Lakes Optimist Club Treasurer Jim Hamilton presents a plaque to Fred Senra in January. Senra is a partner at Miami Lakes AutoMall, and the recognition was for the dealership’s sponsorship in 2024 of the youth sports organization’s baseball program. 

     Ray Palacios is the newly-elected president of the board of the Miami Lakes Chamber of Commerce.       Palacios, 48, previously was vice president of the chamber and in 2020, moved to the Young Professionals Committee so he could focus on his business.            A career in banking led to his founding of ASJ Financial Group mortgage brokerage in 2006. In 2013, he...

     If there was any doubt that Miami Lakes needed a professional group for women who practice law, 17 attorneys showed up to a Galentine’s Day lunch on two days’ notice.      “Things have changed so much with Zoom hearings,” said attorney Gloria M. Garcia. “A lot of our attorneys are lacking mentors. A lot of organizations cater to women in the law, but there’s nothing...