After the election of the new board at MDPL’s Annual Membership meeting on Nov 18th, the directors met to appoint the officers for the upcoming 2023-2024 term. On Nov 20th, Joel Levine was appointed as Chair of the Board, succeeding long-time Board Chair, Jack D. Johnson, who was named as a Chair Emeritus of the League.
Joel Levine moved to Miami in 2013 after retiring from a career in healthcare and educational management. A graduate of MDPL’s volunteer Tour Guide Academy, Joel has provided walking tours to visitors from around the world since 2014.
In 2017, he was elected to the Board of Directors and has served in various leadership capacities on the board – including Board Treasurer, member of the Executive Committee, Chair of the Art Deco Weekend committee, member of the Governance and Nominating Committee, member of the Finance Committee, member of the Art Deco World Congress Committee, and most recently as co-Vice Chair alongside Nina Weber Worth.
Joel has authored and presented a series of popular presentations and tours, including Lost Treasures of Sunny Isles, Hidden in Plain Sight – examining the hidden meaning of symbols on South Beach, Accidental Witness to History—Movie Lovers Guide to Miami Beach, and Preservation in the White City – covering Tel Aviv architectural preservation.
Joel has also presented on behalf of the League at the Napier Art Deco Festival in New Zealand, the African Union of Architects in Mauritius, the Tel Aviv Bauhaus Center, and at other locations in Florida.
Joel and his wife, Barbara Pickell, are also leading donors to the Art Deco Museum Capital Campaign, as part of its Founders Society.
Behind the scenes, Joel has worked closely with MDPL’s Executive Director Daniel Ciraldo on important strategic initiatives to strengthen the organization’s processes and impact.
“It’s been a pleasure working with Joel in various capacities over the years, and I look forward to continued collaboration as he steps up to lead the Board and help MDPL reach new milestones,” says Daniel.
Joel earned a BS from CCNY, an MS from Columbia University, an MBA from Cornell University and a Certificate in Telecommunications Management from NYU.
“I look forward to working together with Daniel and the Board of Directors to continue strengthening our mission to preserve, protect, and promote. My wife Barbara and I are longtime supporters of the League, and we look forward to helping ensure its continued sustainability and resiliency.”
