Winterfest is proud to highlight a few of the people that are behind the scenes of the “Best Show on H20”

Renée Korbel Quinn & Shane Strum

Renée Korbel Quinn

BOARD MEMBER and 2021 BELLE OF THE BALL

Name: Renée Korbel Quinn

Company: QuinnProQuo Strategies & Communication

A South Florida resident since 1969, Renée Korbel Quinn transitioned from a successful 32 year private banking/wealth management career to founder of QuinnProQuo Strategies + Communication. She incorporates her valuable experiences into growing her clients’ businesses, connecting and creating opportunities for both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, and promoting partnerships between the two. Specialties include business and marketing strategies, relationship management, partnerships, connectivity and community advocacy.

In 2015 Quinn founded the QPQ venture Spirited South Florida, where she curates the best in hospitality, serving up the latest trends in culinary, cocktails and craft beers and the intriguing experiences to match. As @SpiritedSFL on Instagram and Clubhouse, she brings together an international audience of over 60,000 followers. Quinn is a nationally published writer and featured columnist for Food & Beverage’s PR%F, The Magazine. Locally, she is the Savor editor and part of the dynamic writing team creating unique content for Go Riverwalk Magazine’s #BITES+SIPS print column.

Quinn has successfully created and continues to strategize programs that have raised over $7,000,000.00+ for local community organizations. Highlighted @SpiritedSFL created charitable experiences include Bourbon Hopscotch, Real Men Drink Pink, CocktailRs for a Cause, Spirited Women United and Winterfest Lounge & Learn.

Renée has been actively involved with Winterfest, Inc. since 1998 and has been a secretary/executive board member and board member since 2007. Winterfest awards include Life Preserver, Social Butterfly, Spinnaker and now, for 2021, Belle of the Ball!

Shane Strum

BOARD MEMBER and 2021 COMMODORE

Name: Shane Strum

Company: Broward Health

Shane Strum is President and CEO of Broward Health, one of the 10 largest public health systems in the U.S.

Strum is a recognized leader with decades of executive experience. Most recently, Strum served as chief of staff to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Prior to his work with the state, Strum served as senior vice president at Memorial Healthcare System in Hollywood, Florida, where he was part of an executive team that managed over 15,000 employees and an annual budget more than $2.4 billion. He also oversaw Memorial’s strategic planning, marketing, community relations and global health functions. Before he joined Memorial’s executive team, Strum served on the South Broward Hospital District Board for several years, including two terms as chairman.

A native of Broward County, Strum’s legacy of public service has spanned nearly 30 years. During that time, Strum has led initiatives that have lowered costs of prescription drugs, expanded telehealth services, improved transparency and quality in healthcare, and increased awareness of mental health and substance abuse issues throughout the state.

 In addition to his healthcare experience, Strum has exceled in higher education, having served as vice chancellor of Keiser University and director of corporate and government relations at Nova Southeastern University. He has been an active board member of the Winterfest organization for 20 years.

 Strum has an MBA from Nova Southeastern University and a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Alabama.

Enjoy a Photo Gallery of the 2021 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade Black Tie Ball Belle of the Ball and Commodore

Winterfest is proud to highlight a few of the people that are behind the scenes of the “Best Show on H20”

Meet Alyssa Lovitt & Johnny Williams

Alyssa Lovitt

BOARD MEMBER and CHAIR of WINTERFEST’S WHITE HOT LAUNCH PARTY

Name: Alyssa Lovitt

Company: I LOV-ITT Events

Alyssa Lovitt, founder, and CEO of I LOV-ITT Events, is a highly passionate premier event planner and business development consultant.

Alyssa has cultivated her skills by teaming with major corporations and charities in the South Florida area by aligning their vision into seamless and memorable events and productions.

Her extensive experience in the areas of corporate special event operations, social events, hospitality, sponsorship research and solicitation, community relations, and business development allows her to offer a wide range of services while delivering high-end personalized service to all clients.

Mrs. Lovitt continuously engages herself in causes to better our society and has been an asset to the structure of countless organizations such as The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Women United, and many more!

What makes I LOV-ITT Events different and special is that they offer superior quality planning and consulting services and ideas designed to create a memorable and cherished experience for everyone involved.

The consulting specialists at I LOV-ITT Events will guide you through the entire process of designing and producing successful and well-planned events.

Johnny Williams

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER and WINTERFEST CO-COUNSEL

Name: Johnny Williams

COMPANY: ProMOTION Sports & Entertainment

Johnny Williams Jr. is Managing Partner of ProMOTION Sports & Entertainment, a firm specializing in the implementation and production of integrated marketing programs and events for pro athletes and entertainers.

Johnny leverages his knowledge and understanding of the sports and entertainment industry, along with his extensive industry experience, to strategically align athletes and performers with corporate America by enhancing their brand and generating revenue for their philanthropic initiatives.

Mr. Williams has been successful in managing comprehensive complex projects for companies such as The Don Shula Foundation, The Super Bowl XXIX Host Committee, The PGA Tour, and Pro Series, INC. At PSI, he structured major contracts that delivered a multi-million dollar ROI for their corporate partners.

His accomplishments don’t stop there! He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2003 and graduated from Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard College of Law, earned a MS degree in Sports Administration and Marketing from St. Thomas University and a BA degree in Communications from the State University of New York at Cortland.

Johnny has been recognized in Success South Florida Magazine as being one of South Florida’s most successful African American businessmen under 40 and in the inaugural edition of Who’s Who in Black South Florida.

• He has given back to the community through his work as a Guardian Ad Litem and mentoring students.
• Mr. Williams sits on the Executive Board of The Winterfest Boat Parade, The Pantry of Broward and serves as General Counsel for the O.J. McDuffie Catch 81 Foundation.

The November 2021 Winterfest Wave and Have You Met powered by I LOV-ITT Events

Winterfest is proud to highlight a few of the people that are behind the scenes of the “Best Show on H20”

Meet Our Boaters

MR. BOBB

Messingschlager Family
37 Years in the Parade

A fan favorite, Mr. Bobb has been in the Parade since 1985. Mr. Bobb, a 60-foot Hatteras Sport fisherman, is owned by the Messingschlager Family and is always an award-winner and “People’s Choice Award” favorite with Parade fans.

The lighting and decorations are all done by son Mark. Every year, this entry hosts children, grandchildren and approximately 35 friends.    

Mr. Bobb is an anticipated entry – a Parade tradition. If you think this boat is spectacular, you should see their house which was featured as a contestant on ABC’s National Light Fight.

BLUEFOOT PIRATE ADVENTURES

Captain Maurice Andrews
11 Years in the Parade

Meet Maurice Andrews (Captain Black Sparrow) – Bluefoot Pirate Adventures

Maurice is a boat captain and commercial diver who takes on the persona of Captain Black Sparrow onboard Bluefoot Pirate Adventures. Prior to becoming a “pirate,” Maurice captained research vessels for Florida Atlantic University and worked on underwater fiber optic cable installation in places such as Brazil, Panama, Chile and Peru. His love of boating started after his time in the United States Army when he was a captain on the US Navy Base on Andros Island. 

When Maurice isn’t telling pirate tales to children on his ship, he enjoys underwater video and photography. 

Bluefoot Pirate Adventures has been a part of the Parade since their inception in 2011. The crew bring swashbuckling fun to Winterfest. Bluefoot Pirate Adventures is ranked as one of South Florida’s top-rated boating attractions for the entire family. They host daily pirate treasure hunts along Fort Lauderdale’s Intracoastal Waterway filled with action, adventure, and just a touch of magic! 

THE ICE CREAM FLOAT BOAT

AMY MCGILL
First Time In Parade

Meet Amy McGill with the Ice Cream Float Pompano. She is a first-time entry to the Parade. This cute little boat brings ice cream conveniently to boaters throughout the waterways of Pompano Beach. The idea for this business began when Amy and a friend were boating on a hot Florida day and wishing they had a cold treat. Now all boaters can benefit from their confectionery desires and wave them over when you see them passing by. They will also stop by your dock, come to your dockside BBQ, or bring ice cream to your birthday party.

This summer the Ice Cream Float Pompano brought all of those ice cream truck favorites to the water, and they also added some locally made Florida products such as scoops of “Mermaid Bubbles” and “Bait Bucket” ice cream and Key Lime Pie bars dipped in chocolate. Are you a fan? Follow them on Facebook and Instagram. Wonder what they will be serving their guests Parade night?

Meet Our Board Members

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER: Rob Kornahrens

Rob Kornahrens’ humble business beginning started in 1983 when he borrowed $15,000 from his father to start his own business. From the purchase of a pick-up truck, the seeds of Rob’s roofing entrepreneurship were born. His focus on customer service in the commercial reroofing business is the foundation of his company’s steady growth for the last 35 years.  Today, Advanced Roofing has been in the top 10 Commercial Roofing Contractors in the United States and #1 in Florida, with seven branches throughout the State, which employs approximately 500 people. 

In 2007, Advanced Green Technologies (AGT) became a solar distributor for a thin film solar panel. Rob also started a solar contracting business to support AGT. Fourteen years later, AGT is the top commercial rooftop solar contractor in the State of Florida and recently completed two 2 Mega Watt Solar carports at Lockheed Martin (approximately 600 cars).  

As a boating enthusiast, Rob enters the Parade every year with a “wow” entry showcasing his creative adaptivity to the Parade’s theme. It was his actions during his early years in the Parade (spinning his boat in front of the judges to give them a 360-degree view of his decorations) which got him involved with the board.

Twenty-five years later, Rob prides himself as an award-winning parade participant, past chairman of the board, and a member of various Winterfest committees. You will see Rob at all the Winterfest celebrations every year leading up to the Parade.

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER: Gregg Snowden

Gregg Snowden is a highly passionate VP/Account Director for GTB, one of Ford’s global marketing agencies. GTB is part of WPP which is the largest ad agency holding company in the world. Gregg manages the South Florida Ford Dealers account with a thorough knowledge of the client’s business, the consumer, the marketplace and all aspects of advertising and marketing including creative, media, financials, research, and production.

Gregg has over 20 years of marketing and advertising experience, of which 18 years have been completed at nationally recognized ad agencies. His eagerness to stay abreast of marketing trends has kept his clients at the forefront of social, digital, and experiential marketing.

Gregg is also a husband and father of two kids, Nicholas and Gianna. In his spare time, Gregg has a passion for fitness, enjoys golfing, and playing in the pool with his kids.

Gregg is a long-time supporter of Winterfest, an active board member since 2012, and currently serves on the Executive Board.

South Florida Ford is the sponsor of the 2021 Fireworks.

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER and VIP PARADE AREA PARTNER: Karla Thatcher

Twelve-time Emmy Award winner, Karla Nelson-Thatcher, Vice President of Corporate Communications, Government and Public Affairs for Hotwire Communications is an accomplished Public and Government Relations strategist, bringing over twenty years of creative and negotiating experience to her work. After getting her start as a television writer and producer, Ms. Nelson-Thatcher migrated to broadcasting where she held several positions as a Creative Services Director, analyzing Market Research and applying it to the development of talent teams, show formatting, and station branding to achieve market position in the wildly competitive world of television overnight ratings.

Her creative career continued as co-founder of K&L Consulting with international clients including an airline, an Island Government, and several not-for-profits in her hometown of South Florida. On the heels of success, Karla was picked by Comcast Cable in the Florida region, where over the course of thirteen years her role evolved from ensuring compliance with municipal franchise agreements to overseeing ad campaigns and the execution of Public, Education and Government programming.

Ms. Nelson-Thatcher developed news conferences for product launches, internal electronic based learning and a heavily viewed local on Demand portal that featured an array of programming, some of which won Emmy awards. Now, as VP of Corporate Communications, Government and Public Affairs at Hotwire Communications, Karla is building the foundation of Hotwire’s community profile and aligning with local CBOs, School Boards, Not for Profits, and Elected Officials.

During Ms. Nelson-Thatcher’s extensive career, she has been a part of Winterfest and recently accepted the position as assistant secretary on the organization’s Executive Board and is chairwoman of the Marketing Committee.

ADVISORY MEMBER: Bill Feinberg

Bill Feinberg, President of Allied Kitchen and Bath in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has been an advisory member of Winterfest since 2013. Bill and his brother, Joe, founded the company in 1984. A self-made man with his roots in Philadelphia, Bill had a vision for the design and remodeling business. He successfully brought that vision to South Florida and has been reshaping the community for the last 35 years.  A man who lives by the motto “Pay it Forward,” Bill has hosted more than 100 charity events in the Allied showrooms with 100% of all funds raised going directly to the charity, often raising between $10,000-20,000 in just a few hours.

Bill is involved many with trade organizations for the Kitchen and Bath Industry and has served on numerous committees and Boards within the BKBG and the NKBA (National Kitchen & Bath Association) organizations. He recently served as the 2020 Chair of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce.

Along with the Winterfest Advisory Board and the organization’s Marketing Committee. Bill currently serves on the boards of Habitat for Humanity and is the immediate past Chair, The Fort Lauderdale Chamberof Commerce. He is also involved with the US Army Advisory Council of Broward County, The Economic Advisory Council of Broward County (which works closely with The Federal Reserve Board), and is the past President of The South Florida Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the Oakland Park Wilton Manors Chamber.