|
WILLY BERMELLO,
AIA
 Willy
A. Bermello is a worldly gentleman with many talents. Born
in Havana, Cuba, he came with his parents to Miami in 1960,
when he was ten years old. At a young age, he developed a
passion for building design and attended the University of
Florida, obtaining a bachelors degree in architecture.
To
broaden his education, Bermello decided to go beyond his home
territory to the prestigious University of Pennsylvania in
Philadelphia. It was here that he acquired masters' degrees
in architecture and city planning, where he graduated magna
cum laude and was an AIA Student Silver Medallist. Today,
he is a Florida registered architect with more than 25 years
of experience in international practice. He is also president
and CEO of Bermello, Ajamil & Partners, Inc., a leading
South Florida architecture and engineering firm.
Bermello's
career as an architect includes a broad base of public and
private projects, spanning over two decades designing airports,
seaports, transit stations, schools and commercial and residential
projects. Having realized his youthful ambitions, he set his
sights on a new dream - to become a developer. Today, as president
and chief executive officer of BAP Development, Inc., based
in Coral Gables, Bermello is fulfilling that goal.
 One
of BAP's most recent new projects is 610 Clematis, the Mediterranean-style
condominium residence being developed at the intersection
of Clematis Street and Rosemary Avenue at the northern boundary
of CityPlace, in the heart of West Palm Beach's shopping and
entertainment district. Bermello is also building apartments
in the Brickell area. This year, BAP completed the 405-unit
luxury Summit Brickell apartment project just west of Brickell
Avenue and the 600-unit Brickell View high-rise under construction
at 12th Street and S. Miami Avenue. In addition, Mr. Bermello
has two other projects under construction: Coral View, a 226
unit project with ground floor retail; and Douglas Grand in
Coral Gables which encompasses a 44,000 square foot Publix
supermarket, 22,000 square foot office space and 159 luxury
rental apartments.
In professional practice in Miami since 1975, Bermello is
an active member of the South Florida community. A past president
of the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana and the first Hispanic
to serve as president of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce,
Bermello has been appointed by the Governor of Florida and
other elected officials, to numerous advisory boards and leadership
positions in civic organizations. Currently, he serves as
chairman of the City of Miami's Urban Development Review Board;
a member of the board of directors of Colonial Bank; and a
member of the Orange Bowl committee.
Among Bermello's pastimes are horseback riding, working out,
and auto racing. Last year, he co-promoted the Grand Prix
Americas event, which returned CART and IMSA auto racing,
as part of a first time ever doubleheader, to the streets
of Downtown Miami on October 4 - 6, 2002. Attendance at the
2002 race drew more than 80,000 spectators - and national
media attention - to Miami. Ratings on CBS for the Miami race
were higher than any of the other CART races in 2002.
 After
all Bermello's professional and civic accomplishments in a
country that embraced him as a little boy, his chief role
model is still his father, who has shown unswerving devotion
to his family. "My dad's intellect, unselfish commitment,
exemplary conduct and respect of others has always been an
example for me to follow," says Bermello. "No matter
what you achieve in life professionally, it is your behavior
as a human being that matters the most."
This was written in accordance with style rules set forth
by The Associated Press. Titles such as president or director
are used in lowercase. Formal titles are only capitalized
when used before one or more names: President Reagan, Presidents
Ford and Carter.
|
