News

THE 23rd FACE EXCELLENCE AWARDS TO BE PRESENTED NOVEMBER 20TH

November 18, 2024

Facts About Cuban Exiles (FACE) will present the 2024 FACE Excellence Awards to Frank del Rio, Aida Levitan, PhD, Jorge Perez and Sam Verdeja on Wednesday, November 20th, 2024, at Rusty Pelican in Key Biscayne. FACE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to defending the reputation of the Cuban exile and Cuban-American community and to educating Americans about the contributions of this group to U.S. society. More than 350 local leaders will attend the luncheon, representing a cross-section of the business, media, education and cultural community of Miami Dade County.

The 2024 FACE Excellence Awards celebrate leaders and visionaries who have demonstrated unparalleled dedication, innovation, and positive impact across a wide range of industries. This year’s honorees are:

· Aida Levitan, Ph.D. – Excellence Award for Leadership: Dr. Levitan is the President of ArtesMiami; Board Director and immediate past Chairman of U.S. Century Bank and of FACE; and former president of the number one U.S. Hispanic ad agency.

· Frank del Rio – Excellence in Business Award: Former President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Mr. Del Rio is also the Founder of Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

· Jorge Pérez – Entrepreneurship Award: Chairman and CEO of The Related Group, Mr. Pérez is also a leading philanthropist and the namesake of the Pérez Art Museum Miami, due to his transformative contributions to the arts.

· Sam Verdeja – Lifetime Achievement Award: Co-founder of FACE, author, and Senior Executive at The Miami Herald Publishing Co., Mr. Verdeja’s legacy in journalism and community advocacy continues to inspire.