Chairperson of the MPA Board of Directors – Jami Reyes
Jami Reyes is an accomplished and integrity-driven professional with more than 20 years corporate business experience and strong South Florida connections. She currently serves as strategic partnerships director for one of South Florida’s leading general contractors. Prior to her current role, she worked as development manager for an international developer. Her career in South Florida began in public affairs and corporate communications specializing in real estate and development. Jami’s expertise lies in her ability to effectively interact with clients and business partners and assist in identifying and resolving complex issues to reach mutual goals.
Jami is a staunch believer in giving back to her community and has served on the boards of the Latin American Business Association, the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, the Latin Builders Association, the Builders Association of South Florida, and the City of Miami Bond Oversight. Throughout her career, Jami has provided pro-bono public relations/community outreach services to various local organizations, such as Kristi House, Voices for Children, the Lotus House, and the South Florida chapter of March of Dimes. Currently, Jami spends her volunteer hours as vice-chair of the board for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami and as chair of the Leadership Institute Alumni Committee for Urban Land Institute (ULI) South Florida/Caribbean.
Jami is Honduran-born, Washington DC-raised, and Miami-adopted.
Elected in 2003.
Thomas B. Jelke, Ph.D
Mr. Jelke is President and CEO of t.jelke solutions, a consulting firm offering assessment, curriculum development, research, strategic planning and leadership training services for universities, non-profits, and fraternal organizations. Dr. Jelke was born and raised in the city of Miami and he has taught at Florida State University, Indiana University, and Florida International University. Dr. Jelke has also served in various staff positions on Semester at Sea, including Executive Dean. He is the Past Grand Chapter President of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, immediate Past Chairman of the Board of the Association of Fraternity Advisors Foundation, sits on the National Board of Directors for Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, Board of Directors for the Association for Fraternal Leadership and Values, and is the current Chairman for the Thomas B. Jelke Foundation. He also serves on an advisory board for the Actor’s Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre. Elected in 2005.
Marvin Wilmoth
Mr. Wilmoth is the Managing Principal of Intersection Ventures. In that capacity, he serves as a community developer and consultant focusing on housing solutions at the intersection of sound public policy and community-centered private development.
From 2018 to 2022, he served as Vice Mayor and Harbor Island Commissioner of North Bay Village, leading the city’s sustainability, wellness, and housing efforts. He led the passage of the first ordinance limiting fertilizer usage to protect Biscayne Bay in Miami-Dade County. He also secured over $3 million for waterfront infrastructure projects to provide access to Miami residents. His signature accomplishment was leading the adoption of one of the first mandatory inclusionary workforce housing ordinances in Miami-Dade County.
Wilmoth earned a B.S. and M.B.A. from Florida A&M University and an M.S. in Real Estate Development from Columbia University in New York.
“Marvin is an exceptional business and civic leader, and we are excited to welcome him to the Board,” said Jami Reyes, Chairperson. “His insights and skills complement and enhance the board’s composition at a time when population growth, demographic shifts, and technology adoption are driving parking and mobility innovation in the Miami urban core.”
“I’m excited to join the Miami Parking Authority Board of Directors and have the opportunity to serve with a respected group of leaders and a committed and talented staff,” said Wilmoth. “I look forward to serving on the Board and contributing to the transformational evolution of the authority.”
Wilmoth is a board member of the Nyah Project, an organization that unlocks opportunities for underrepresented youth through college admissions and fellowships abroad. He also serves on the Board of Miami Waterkeeper, is a Miami Foundation Miami Fellow, a 2020 Presidential Leadership Scholar, and a Leadership Florida Connect Class VI graduate.
James Cassel
James Cassel, chairman and co-founder of Cassel Salpeter & Co., is an investment banker who uses his unique experience as a dealmaker and attorney to guide clients and help them achieve their goals.
Focused on representing middle-market companies, Jim has successfully negotiated, structured, and executed a broad spectrum of transactions including mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures, corporate and transactional financings, and public offerings for clients nationwide and worldwide. Having developed a keen understanding of the issues faced and alternatives available for distressed companies, he has particular experience in developing financial restructuring plans, negotiating with creditors, and guiding debtors through bankruptcy proceedings.
Nationally recognized for his investment banking expertise, Jim frequently lectures on timely issues related to middle-market investment banking.
Before founding Cassel Salpeter & Co., Jim was co-founder and chairman of Capitalink, an investment banking firm that was acquired by Ladenburg Thalmann & Co., a New York Stock Exchange member firm where Jim continued and served as vice chairman, senior managing director, and head of investment banking. He also was chairman of a significant company that owned hospitals.
Jim is a former board member and president of the South Florida Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth. He is also a former advisory board member of the University of Miami’s “The Launch Pad” business incubator program for entrepreneurs. He has served on the executive committee of Broad and Cassel, one of Florida’s largest law firms, and also served on the board of Equity One (NYSE:EQY). He has been a member of the American Association of Arbitrators, National Investment Banking Association and the NASD Board of Arbitrators. He also writes a column for The Miami Herald about emerging trends and strategies and tactics for middle-market business owners.
Jim received a bachelor’s degree in 1976 from American University, in Washington, D.C., and a law degree in 1979 from the University of Miami School of Law, in Miami. He is a member of the New York and Florida Bar Associations.
Deborah Ladron de Guevara, CPA
Appointed to the Miami Parking Authority Board of Directors on September, 2022, Deborah Ladron de Guevara, CPA, has been a partner in the Miami office of BDO USA, LLP since January 2021. Formerly, she was a principal at MBAF, LLC from August 2002 until BDO acquired the firm in January 2021. Deborah has specialized in audit engagements in the private and public sectors since the start of her professional career.
She earned a Master of Accounting Information Systems in December 2002 and a Bachelor of Accounting in December 1998 from Florida International University.
Deborah served on the United Way of Miami-Dade’s Audit Committee for many years. She is a member of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA) and the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA).