Hall of Fame Induction Year
1992
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Inductee Biography
Shepard Broad received his law degree from New York Law School in 1927, and he was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1928. From 1928 through 1940, Mr. Broad practiced law in New York City. In August 1940, Mr. Broad was admitted to The Florida Bar and opened a law office in Miami Beach, Florida, the next year. On January 1, 1946, he founded the law firm of Broad and Cassel, which continues to this day with offices throughout Florida. In 1946, Mr. Broad helped organize the Bank of Hollywood Hills and the North Shore Bank of Miami Beach. The following year, he helped establish the American Savings and Loan Association of Florida. He subsequently served as the president of the Mercantile National Bank of Miami Beach. He assisted in founding the Bank of Miramar, Florida. He and 21 other Jewish men met in a New York City apartment in 1945 and agreed on an audacious plan to help create a homeland for the world's Jewish people. Among his colleagues: David Ben-Gurion, who later became Israel's first prime minister. As World War II drew to an end, Broad, Ben-Gurion and their colleagues met in New York City and created an underground infrastructure to raise funds for Israel, provide weapons for its eventual 1947–1949 Palestine war and help Holocaust survivors and others reach what was then called Palestine. Broad became intrigued by 253 acres (1.02 km2) of mud and mangroves that rose out of Biscayne Bay. He envisioned apartment complexes, single-family homes, golf courses, and shops. The $600,000 asking price seemed out of reach, so Broad traded his interest, 2+1⁄2 floors, of the downtown Biscayne Building for the swamp. He sketched the plans for what he called Bay Harbor Islands, designing it in two pieces. One piece for single family and one for multiple family. His vision was realized and the result was single-family homes on the western island, condos and rental apartment on the eastern island. The town was incorporated in 1947 and Broad was elected to 26 consecutive one-year terms as mayor. His pay: $1 a year. Shepard Broad's other community activities include serving as a member of the Board of Governors at the Shepard Broad College of Law of Nova Southeastern University, earning honorary degrees from Nova University and Barry University, participating in the leadership of several hospitals, and endowing the Shepard and Ruth Broad Center for the Performing Arts of Barry University. Shepard Broad and his wife Ruth, through the legacy of The Shepard Broad Foundation, Inc., have given generous support to major universities and hospitals throughout the world including: Florida International University, Barry University, University of Florida, Florida State University and the Shepard Broad College of Law at Nova Southeastern University. In 1995, he donated $174,350 for computer equipment at the new Ruth K. Broad Bay Harbor Elementary School, which was named for his late wife.
Digital Collection
Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame
Disciplines
Business
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