Eli Tourgeman – Chair

Eli Tourgeman was born in Panama and was educated at Long Island University, NY, earning a Bachelor's in Science degree "cum laude". Mr. Tourgeman is the Vice President of HSBC Bank in Surfside, FL, which he opened in 2005. His experience in the banking industry and credibility in the community made him a natural choice as leader for the Surfside-Bal Harbour office. Currently, he is the President of the Surfside Business Association and Chairman of the Surfside Tourist Board.

Ricardo Mualin – Vice Chair

Ricardo was born in Barranquilla, Colombia and was educated at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL. He later attended Barry University in Miami Shores, FL where he received his Bachelor's degree in Health Services Administration and a Master's degree in Public Administration. Ricardo has served at various non profits, public, and health care companies in managerial positions, namely as the Executive Director of the Colombian American Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Surfside 75th Anniversary Committee, and CEO of Project Access Foundation.

He brings to the Tourist Board his knowledge and expertise in fundraising, marketing, and program and business development. Ricardo currently works for the Alzheimer's Association-Southeast FL Chapter as an Associate Director of Development. He has been a Surfside resident since 2003, where he lives with his family and is involved in several social and civic organizations.

Barbara Cohen – Secretary

A former upstate New Yorker, Barbara attended Syracuse University and graduated from Russell Sage College with a BA in Social Sciences. Prior to working as a liaison between commercial installations and a computer company, she worked as an educational consultant for the New York State Education Department.

Moving to Surfside full time in 1994, Barbara, a long time volunteer, has served on the Tourist Board since 2006. She is a life member of Hadassah and remains active in the Miami-Dade Citizens' Coalition for Public Schools. In 2010, Barbara was the liaison for Surfside during the Census and is very active in political affairs.

Jacobo (Jack) Blachar – Member

Born in Havana Cuba, Jack arrived in New York in 1960. There he worked in a textile export company, eventually becoming the Export Manager for their Latin American Division. For 16 years he traveled to every country in Central and South America as well as the Caribbean. In 1976 he formed his own textile export company.

He and his wife moved to Surfside in 2001 to be closer to family members. Jack would like to make Surfside a "Jewel of a Town" and will put every effort into doing so.

Elaine Killeen – Member

Born in Pittsburgh, PA, Elaine's family connection with Florida extends back to 1964; moving to Surfside in 1970. While in PA, she attended Penn State University. Having worked for the US Steel Corporation and as a Travel Agent in Bay Harbor Islands, Elaine now divides her time as past President of the North Shore Kiwanis Club and her condo association, as Treasurer for the Miami Children's Hospital Auxiliary, as well as Tourist Board Member.

Vice Mayor Joe Graubart – Commission Liaison

Joe Graubart was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and has lived in Surfside from the age of six – when his parents, Samuel and Shirley, and brother David moved here in 1956. He was a Cub and Boy Scout here. He attended Bay Harbor Islands Elementary School, where in the past he has served as a volunteer. Joe is also an alumnus of Nautilus Junior High and Miami Beach Senior High Schools. He received a Bachelors Degree from Florida International University in 1975.

During his college years at FIU, Mr. Graubart opened a small leather shop on the coast of Maine, and eventually owned and operated gift shops for 25 years on the coasts of Maine and New Hampshire seasonally (Memorial Day – Labor Day), while living in Surfside the remainder of the year. In 1998, Mr. Graubart returned to live in Surfside year 'round. He has previously served as Chairman of the Town of Surfside Planning and Zoning Board for four years under two different administrations and was a member of the Surfside 75th Anniversary Committee."

Duncan Tavares – Tourist Bureau Director

Joining the Town Administration in December 2008, Duncan graduated from the Florida International University School of Hospitality and Tourism Management
with a Bachelor of Science in Travel and Tourism Management. He brings a wealth of experience from previous positions as Area Marketing and Sales Manager, New England, for an island destination and a career in hotels with the Marriott Corporation and a Relais et Chateaux property.