Three Prominent Leaders Join St. Thomas University Board Of Trustees

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Jun 05, 2013, 02:06 ET

MIAMI, June 5, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- St. Thomas University (www.stu.edu) recently announced the appointment of three business and public service leaders to its Board of Trustees.

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Alex Penelas – former Chief Executive (Executive Mayor of Miami Dade County) of one of the most diverse communities and fourth largest county in the United States – has demonstrated his ability to bring people together and build consensus to address myriads of community issues. His former governmental responsibilities extended across a broad range of issues such as education, healthcare, transportation, crime and corruption, jobs and economic development, and homelessness. After leaving a long career in local, state, national and international public service, he became a Senior Fellow and Professor of Government at St. Thomas University in Miami and still enjoys a successful private law and consulting practice, AP Consulting, AAP. The University will benefit from his economic development and public affairs expertise.

Jorge Rico is a Co-Founding Partner of MBF Healthcare Partners, L.P. and has served as Managing Director of the firm since inception. He has directed MBF's development (since its co-founding with business leader Mike Fernandez) and manages all aspects of MBF's investment activities. His background includes 25 years of progressively responsible positions in healthcare companies, specializing in the development and implementation of strategic plans which create value. Prior to joining MBF Mr. Rico was the Chief Operating Officer of Ramsay Health Care, Inc., a publicly-held psychiatric hospital company and had been Executive Vice President of Administration and a key member of the management team of Ramsay-HMO, Inc., the second-largest publicly-held HMO in Florida during the early 1990's. In 1994, RMO was sold to United HealthCare for approximately $500 million, representing a return on investment capital of more than 10 times. Mr. Rico remained with UHC as a key member of the senior management team and assisted the Company in becoming the largest HMO in the State of Florida. He is a member of the board of directors of Navarro Discount Pharmacies, Nutri-Force Nutrition, Omni Home Care (Chairman) and Simply Healthcare Holdings, among other organizations. He holds a Master in Business Administration specializing in Healthcare Administration from the University of Miami.

Anita D. Britt, C.P.A., has also joined the St. Thomas University Board of Trustees. Ms. Britt is a strategic professional with over twenty-five years' experience in all aspects of finance and accounting. Her expertise in staff management and development, project execution, capital markets, financial planning and analysis, and stakeholder relations will much contribute to the University's growth plans. She is the Chief Financial Officer of Perry Ellis International since 2009, managing all financial aspects of a one billion dollar apparel, accessories and retail business.

For additional information on St. Thomas University programs please contact Chief Marketing/Communications Officer Marivi Prado at 305.474.6880, [email protected]

SOURCE St. Thomas University