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Beverly Raphael guest lecturer at the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship

Through its Distinguished Lecture Series, the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship recently hosted Beverly Raphael, President and CEO of RCC Associates, Inc., as a guest lecturer. Before an audience of more than 125 students, faculty members, staff, and community leaders, Raphael spoke about her family, vision and hard work.

She joined RCC in 1998 after the untimely death of her husband. Richard Raphael, Chairman and CEO of RCC had been battling with cancer and passed within four months of diagnosis. Raphael’s decision to join the company was not for personal well-being but rather one that involved all those who had become part of the RCC family—employees, clients, and contractors. It was also an opportunity for her to re-invent herself at the age of 50 and defend her husband’s company from ruthless buy-out offers.

Today, RCC has earned the reputation of being one of the country’s top retail and restaurant buildout specialists. Raphael has grown the business from $19 million to $70 million in 2005 with revenues expected to be more than $100 million in 2006. Its long list of clients include: Benihana, Capital Grille, Banana Republic, The Gap, Limited Brands, Louis Vuitton, Victoria’s Secret, Elizabeth Arden, Tiffany & Company, and Tommy Bahama to name a few.

Being in a male-dominated industry, competitors have tried to portray RCC as a "girls’ club." But the company was determined to be a dynamic force in the industry by delivering incomparable results. It has received many industry awards and community accolades. "The last five years have been good," said the eloquent leader. Most recently, its Grand Luxe Café project at Sawgrass Mills Mall was recognized as "Project of the Year" by the Developers & Builders Alliance. Normally a 24 week project, RCC was able to complete it in 17 weeks. They now have a request to complete the Boca Raton Grand Luxe project in 14 weeks.

RCC also developed a management team to re-write company policies, implemented benefit packages to attract and retain top-notch executives, and created a new division to capitalize on their expertise in the restaurant market. The company signed its first national client, The Cheesecake Factory in 1990. RCC continues to do work for the unique and upscale casual dining restaurant group 16 years later. Raphael’s passion for the company has been key to its broad range of loyal clients. Not knowing that it would be a $100 million business, Raphael stated that she "broke all the rules in the textbooks."

Dean Pohlman concluded the lecture by reiterating a few of Raphael’s values—don’t believe it when someone says you can’t do something and work, work, work, you must have a strong work ethic.

The Distinguished Lecture Series is sponsored by BankAtlantic. The next Distinguished Lecturer will be Mark A. Emkes, Chairman/CEO of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc and Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC.