By Dessalines Ferdinand
The Haitian American Chamber of Commerce of Florida (HACCOF), a not-for-profit corporation, comprised of people, professionals and companies from all types of industries and backgrounds, held its annual membership meeting at Scott Galvin Center in North Miami last Thursday, February 23, 2023, during which the board of elections was held to renew the leadership of the Miami-based organization.
HACCOF was established in 2005. Its mission is to serve as an advocate for its communities as well as a resource for consumers and businesses dedicated to serving both the needs of its members and the economic development needs of the broader Haitian-American community. It also promotes investment and trade with the Haitian private and public sectors.
During the special meeting, the organization’s Board of Directors voted to expand to 13 members, an increase from 10, and welcomed four new members and said thank you to one member who has departed. The Board also appointed Mr. Prinston Jean-Glaude as Chairman. Mr. Jean-Glaude has recently served as Vice-Chairman and member of the Executive Committee while Chairwoman, Dr. Lumana Joseph, PT, DPT (2021-2023) presided.
The four new members of the HACCOF are: Lory M. Freiman, CPA (Treasurer), Vladimir Tranquille (Financial Advisor/Board Member), Pedro Gassant, Esq. (Board Member), and Dr. Sandra Severe, Ph.D., MPH. (Board Member).
At the opening of the meeting, several board members addressed the audience (attendees in the room as well as by Zoom), including Herve Bony, CPA, the former treasurer, who left the board after serving for over six years. He said he is leaving his position with a sense of satisfaction, a feeling of accomplishment.
Dr. Lumana Joseph also addressed the audience, expressing her gratitude to have served and encouraging her successor. “In the same way Mrs. Paola Pierre chose me to be the next chairwoman,” she said, “she worked with me, she supported me, and the board elected me as chairwoman for the best two years, the time has come where I have to pass on the baton, all the work to the next one, and I am excited for the future of this organization.”
“Let me tell you, we do so much for HACCOF and the community,” added the business owner and mother of two. “No one would understand. It is when you are in the shoes of the chairperson that you understand the work it takes to run the chamber. We have great board members, they all contribute. But, the chairperson carries everything on her head.”
Sharing her experience as chairperson during the last two years, Dr. Joseph praised her predecessor Paola Pierre who, she said, held her hand, supported her, and gave her guidance to do the job. “She believed in me. She saw in me that person who could be a great chairperson for the organization.”
“I learned a lot. It was like I was in the University of the Chamber for two years. Sometimes, it was difficult, other times it was rewarding, but at the end, it made me a better person, so I am thankful to the board for supporting me during my term,” she continued.
“The same way Paola did, of course, I have to choose someone. This person has been instrumental, and has been by my side all the time because he understands the stress I go through at times; the financial difficulty we face sometimes, and whenever I call him, he is always there for me. Throughout the year, I figured out that he will be the next chairperson. I have been working with him diligently so he can be this next chairperson. And tonight, as the chairperson of the Haitian American Chamber of Commerce of Florida, I nominate Priston Jean-Glaude as the incoming Chair, but the board has to vote on him,” said Dr. Joseph.
The outgoing chairperson then called on all the members to vote on the choice of Mr. Jean-Glaude for the position. At that point, it was just a formality because all the other members said ‘yes’ for the CEO and co-owner of Primary Medical Care Centers.
After receiving the unanimous confidence vote of the members, the new Chair took the mic to officially accept the position for a two-year term (2023-2025).
“It is with humble honor that I accept the position of Chairman for the Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce of Florida,” said Jean-Glaude in a short address to the gathering. “My sincerest thanks and appreciation to my fellow members of the board for choosing me to serve as HACCOF’s new leader.”
“As you know, this position has been held by some of the greats and I have big shoes to fill. I’d like to thank our Chairwoman, Dr. Lumana Joseph for the great work she accomplished during her tenure. She leaves behind a strong foundation we can continue to build on, but we’re not done with you (Dr. Joseph) so don’t go too far. The Chamber never really lets go of its greatest assets. You’ll find some of these faces in the crowd today, including Jeff Lozama, Paola Pierre, and the founder, Philippe R. Armand.”
“I want to also thank our board members for finding the time to provide support, strategies and lending their expertise to better serve our community and chamber members.”
Being very optimistic about how he is ready to handle this leadership position, Jean-Glaude concluded by saying, “I’m motivated by the opportunities and potential the future holds for the Chamber and I look forward to working with our board members, chamber members, community leaders, and sponsors to create a thriving and prosperous chamber of commerce for all of us.”
Once he officially took charge, the new chairman successively nominated Carl Momplaisir as his 1st Vice-Chair, and Jean G. Belizaire as his 2nd Vice-Chair, and Dr. Stephanie S. Thomas, DHSc, MPA, as Secretary. Jean-Glaude also nominated Lory M. Freiman, a CPA, as a new board member first, and once confirmed by the other board members, as the new treasurer.
While two of the four new members were present in the room to vote in person (Lory M. Freiman and Evans St. Fort), the two other new members (Pedro Gassant and Vladimir Tranquille) took part in the election via Zoom. Three other board members (Marie Lissa Letin, Gepsie M. Metellus, Dr. Sandra Severe, Ph.D., MPH) also attended via Zoom.
As guests enjoyed some great wine and appetizers, the evening closed with a group picture of the new Board of Directors, taken by professional photographer Ricardo Saint-Cyr. The new Chair posed for pictures with several attendees to celebrate this great moment of his life.
Meet the New Chair
Born and raised in Port-Salut, a coastal town in the Sud Department of Haiti, Prinston Jean-Glaude came to the United States to take advantage of the education and economic opportunities available and did just that by earning an associate’s degree from Miami-Dade College, his bachelor’s in health science administration from Florida International University (FIU), and a master’s in information technology from Barry University. Before embarking on his entrepreneurial pursuits, Prinston worked his way up the corporate ladder and became the Lead IT for Wachovia Bank in the State of Florida in the Capital Market Department for almost ten years. In June, 2022 the business owner graduated from the Harvard Global Healthcare Executives Leaders Program.
Along with his wife Edwige, the CEO and Co-owner of Primary Medical Care Centers now operates five well-established community clinics (North Miami, Miramar, Lauderdale Lakes, Pompano Beach, and West Palm Beach). The couple also own and operate two home health agencies located in Miami Lakes and Miramar, Florida.
As a Christian who is deeply rooted in faith, Prinston Jean-Glaude is driven to give back as much as he can to his community, both here in Florida as well as back home in Haiti. Through his partnership with several non-profit foundations, thousands of people in underserved communities in Haiti receive medical supplies, toys, and monetary donations annually. Through their free community events throughout the year in South Florida, such as their Mother’s Day Celebration, Father’s Day Celebration, Thanksgiving Turkey Drive, and the Seniors’ Holiday Giveaway, Prinston leads Primary Medical Care Centers’ spirit of giving joyfully.
His business, Primary Medical Care Centers, has been recognized for several honors, such as the 2018 Star Honoree for Empowering Women & Families in Healthcare Services by the Global Women’s Initiative and the Outstanding Healthcare Organization Award by the Community Health & Empowerment Network.
HACCOF’s new Chairman was also among Legacy magazine’s honorees for South Florida’s Most Powerful Black Leaders in Business & Industry for 2019. Prinston Jean-Glaude and his wife and business partner, Edwige have two children and reside in Weston, Florida.
As a well-known philanthropist, successful entrepreneur, and CEO, Prinston Jean-Glaude is a rare combination of highly sought-after skills in South Florida’s Haitian Community. His business acumen, intense focus on the needs of clients, and his ability to provide sound governance insights on business decision makes him a strong addition to HACCOF’s Board of Directors. It is without doubt that Jean-Glaude will leave his chairmanship trademark on the organization’s history after his two-year term is concluded.
From all of us here at Le Floridien and throughout our wonderful community, we wish the new Chair and the entire board continued success and a positive impact on our society, and influence that stretches around the world.