COVER STORY 26 May 2024 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition Kathy Ireland Mitchell Principal The Fairwinds Group Kathy Ireland Mitchell, principal, and her husband Andy Mitchell, president and CEO of The Fairwinds Group, will celebrate 50 years of marriage in June. They have two children and five grandchildren. The Mitchell - Ireland family has been at the forefront of Fort Lauderdale's evolution for over 60 years, building on the legacy of Ireland’s Inn, opened on Fort Lauderdale beach in 1965 by Kathy’s father, Jack Ireland, and grandmother, Lillian Ireland. Kathy remembers fondly helping out with the family business, showing people rooms from the age of 12 when her family lived on the top floor of Irelands Inn. Due for a refresh, especially after hurricane Wilma damaged it in 2005, The Fairwinds Group erected the $650 million luxurious Auberge Beach Residences and Spa in its place after acquiring the needed land to expand its footprint in Fort Lauderdale. And they are currently involved in construction of The Ritz-Carlton Residences at 1380 S. Ocean Blvd. in Pompano Beach, joining forces with an exemplary team comprised of Fortune International Group, Oak Capital, Lissoni & Partners, and Revuelta Architecture International. Throughout both building projects, the Mitchells have sought God’s blessing and protection, and they recently buried a Bible in the foundation of the future Ritz-Carlton Residences building, following a blessing by Pastor Rob Pacienza, of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, witnessed by family members, by Bob and Sandy Moss and members of the development team and construction crew. However, the Mitchells have also built community by helping homeless families and veterans through their support of HOPE South Florida and Operation Lift Hope, and Kathy participates as a Chairman’s Circle Partner on the Broward Sheriff’s Advisory Council where she has supported several events to benefit children of the fallen. What is God’s calling for you? “I adopted a rescue dog that I felt God just shown a light on, and he was just crazy, so I decided to put him in the best training, and he became certified as a therapy dog. So, for about three years, I took Champ to Broward General and nursing homes to comfort people. So, I would say my calling is to bring joy to other people and be a light for Jesus then to be open to seeing needs in our community.” Do you have a favorite charity? In addition to supporting Hope South Florida, Kathy has been involved in Junior League and supported Jack and Jill Children’s Center; however, her main involvement right now is as a pledge partner in StrikeForce 421 women’s giving circle. She likes that 100% of the funds given go directly to charity and that you have the opportunity to learn about so many different charities and the opportunity to help choose which ministries receive support. Did you have a family Mission statement? “We were always teaching God's principles and fighting for our children in a world that is not easy to navigate. I’d say it was to love one another, be kind and help people. One of the biggest things to us growing up in the hotel was you treat everybody including the janitor as important as the president of a company. This was instilled in me by my father, and he was friends with everybody.” What Bible verse has encouraged you? Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight” (NIV). What was your most challenging time as a mother? “The teenage years with girls was very challenging, and I have very strong-willed girls. I would literally ask God to put angels around them because I couldn't protect them the way God did.” What was your most rewarding time as a mother? “Now we’ve got two incredibly strong, very accomplished daughters that love the Lord, are very family oriented and doing a wonderful job raising their children. That's probably the most rewarding, and the fact that I have a very wonderful husband. I feel we've been very blessed.” Brigitte Sylvestre Morning Show Co-Host and Producer Moody Radio South Florida Tune your radio to 89.3 FM during your morning commute and you’re likely to be uplifted by the voice of Brigitte Sylvestre during Mornings with Eric and Brigitte. Brigitte and Gibson Sylvestre were married at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale 17 years ago, where he was formerly on staff. A graduate of Westminster Academy, Brigitte earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Palm Beach Atlantic University and has worked at Moody Radio South Florida for more than 17 years where she is currently the Morning Show Co-Host and producer. Recognizing the power of media, Brigitte said that even as a kid she knew she wanted to work in broadcasting so she could be a part of sending a hopeful message out, and what’s more hopeful than the message of Christ! “As cohost and producer of the morning show, my role is to encourage and inspire the audience every morning as they're getting ready for their day. Some of the conversations we have point to issues of the day, sometimes it's a devotional, and I love those reminders of God's love for us. There are other times where we might be talking about how to understand cultural issues from a biblical perspective, and that can be a very challenging thing. How do we address issues in our personal lives that we may not quite know how to handle? I love the gamut of what we're able to talk about to really encourage people in their faith, especially in the morning as we help our listeners to set our minds on things above, like it says in Colossians 3:2.” Brigitte has also travelled extensively with her husband Gibson, doing short term international missions to share the gospel in India, Uganda, Romania and several South American and Central American countries as part of a 501C3 ministry formerly connected with the Louis Palau Association called Gibson Sylvestre Global Outreach. What is God’s calling for you? “A big part of my calling is to help communicate in a way that reminds people of God's love for them, God's purpose for them and the wholeness that we can find in Him.” Do you have a favorite charity? “I currently volunteer with an organization called Women in the Window International. They are a faith-based organization that helps women who are in the 10:40 Window, such as Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Because their culture is influenced by different religious beliefs, women are often seen as second-class citizens and girls are devalued because of their gender, but God says each and every individual is made in His image. They are valuable, have purpose and dignity, and this ministry helps empower women with different trainings and equip them.” Did you have a family Mission statement? “We have not written down a formal mission statement, but it probably would be living a life of impact for God's glory.” What Bible verse has encouraged you? Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. “ What was the most challenging thing you’ve experienced? “I lost my dad in 2021. My father was a quadriplegic and was in a wheelchair my entire life after he was in a very severe car accident while my mom was pregnant with me, but it was awesome to see him overcome that. He was a hero in my eyes because with this handicap, yet he was so alive and passionate about the Lord and served as pastor of a small congregation. Seeing his health rapidly decline before he passed was a challenge.” What do you find rewarding or an accomplishment you’re proud of? “It’s that my husband and I are so happily married. It’s not a perfect relationship by any means but a growing one. Being married to Gibson has helped me grow closer to the Lord. He encourages me and covers me spiritually, and I am thankful that we have a growing relationship after 17 years.” Sue Trombino Founder and President Women Impacting the Nation Sue Trombino is a passionate advocate for America and tirelessly works to embolden every Christian and American to get involved in saving the moral compass of our nation. Seeking to make a difference, Sue founded Women Impacting the Nation (W.I.N.) in the fall of 2005 to inform, inspire and initiate action from women and men of all backgrounds. W.I.N. provides resources, information and biblical knowledge to anyone seeking to take personal responsibility for their freedoms and to be accountable to God’s Word. She speaks at business-related and professional seminars, political rallies and women and church events across the country, sharing God’s truth and her strong love of America. The organization also developed small groups entitled W.I.N. Talks that are hosted in homes and churches across the country in which people meet to study a series of patriotic books followed by discussion. “We start everything with a prayer, pledge and praise,” said Sue, and the objective is to help others become educated about the founding fathers and ideals of our nation. Born in Caracas, Venezuela, and raised in Central and South America, Africa and Europe, her diverse upbringing has given her a unique perspective on America and fostered an appreciation for the Judeo-Christian values upon which it was founded. Sue takes great pride in the armed services as her father, mother and brother served with honor. She is also a graduate of the Chuck Colson Centurion Program and has served as a Bible Study Fellowship leader. Sue and her husband Michael Trombino have been married for 39 years and have one son and a granddaughter. When not travelling, the attend Cornerstone Bible Fellowship in Delray Beach or Maranatha Bible Church in Lantana. (Contunued from page 25) Brigitte and Gibson Sylvestre Sue Trombino, Mia Trombino, A. Michael Trombino, Michael Trombino and Kaitlyne Trombino Sean Glasser, Scarlett Glasser, Autumn Glasser, Kristen Mitchell Glasser, Andy Mitchell, Kathy Ireland Mitchell, Marilyn Ireland Markos, Jaxon Campbell, Kate Mitchell Campbell, Landon Campbell and Brent Campbell
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