Arthur J. Furia, an international business partner at Shutts & Bowen LLP, recently hosted a private reception on behalf of the law firm to welcome Italy’s Consul General Cristiano Musillo, recently appointed to Miami.
Based in Miami, the Consulate region includes all of Southeast USA and the Caribbean countries of Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Jamaica, St. Marteen, St. Eustatius, Saba, British and US Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, and Turks & Caicos.
More than 125 business, cultural and community leaders attended the reception at Shutts’ downtown Miami office, including German Consul General Annette Klein, Mayor George Scholl (City of Sunny Isles), Pamela Fuertes-Berti (Head of International Affairs-City of Coral Gables), U.S. District Court Judge Ursula Ungaro, Circuit Court Judge, Migna Sanchez-Llorens, Civil Court Judge Linda Singer Stein, Circuit Court Judge Daliah Weiss (Palm Beach), Circuit Court Judge Patricia Marino-Pedraza, Dr. Aldo Serafini (University of Miami), Dr. Joaquin Martinez (MDC Wolfson Campus President) and Mark Cole (Executive Director of Miami Dade College Foundation), David Arditi (Board Member Miami Dade College Foundation), Alfredo Salas (Board member Miami Dade College Foundation), Rene Ruiz (Fashion Designer), Elio Schiavo (Head of Latin America – Apple, Inc.), Arnaldo Perez (General Counsel-Carnival Corporation), and Linda Gassenheimer (PBS; food author).
City of Miami Director of International Affairs, Alejandro Servalli presented a proclamation of the Mayor and City Commission designating November 8 as “Consul General Cristiano Musillo Day” in Miami.
The Consul General spoke about the Italian influence in the region and how to strengthen the nation’s presence in South Florida. Although consumer goods and the Italian marine industry are fundamental to Italy’s links with South Florida, there are economic opportunities being examined in the health sector as well as infrastructure, public works and creative industries.
“We are honored to welcome Consul General Musillo to our global community,” said Furia. “South Florida is a natural gateway to North and South American regions given its geographical location, multi-cultural and diverse population. With the marked increase in Italian foreign nationals residing in our community and ongoing Italian developments, we anticipate an increase in investment opportunities for Italy and a welcoming, sophisticated marketplace.”
Furia, who is very active in the Italian and Italian-American communities both locally and nationally, served as General Counsel of the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) and was a member of its Board of Directors and Executive Committee for 20+ years. He is also the State of Florida representative for the American Chamber of Commerce in Italy (AMCHAM). For nearly 35 years, Furia has actively organized numerous business and trade development missions to Italy.
“We’re delighted to welcome Consul General Musillo to South Florida,” said Bowman Brown, chairman of Shutts’ executive committee and a prominent international banking lawyer. “Building partnerships across international lines is key for South Florida’s community and for us as a firm.”
To view pictures from the event, please click here.
About Shutts & Bowen LLP
Established in 1910, Shutts & Bowen is a full-service business law firm with more than 290 lawyers in offices in Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Sarasota, Tallahassee, Tampa and West Palm Beach. Learn more about Shutts & Bowen at www.shutts.com.