Co-chairs seek cabinet of influential business leaders and philanthropists
David A. Barkus of Holland & Knight, Jose R. Mas of MasTec, Inc. and Peter Montadas of Momentum Consulting Corporation are co-chairing United Way of Miami-Dade’s Tocqueville Society, a 768-member elite group of Miami’s most generous givers who contribute nearly $18 million to empower residents and help build a stronger Miami. Barkus, Mas and Montadas are building a cabinet of influential business leaders and philanthropists who make it a priority to lead by example, give at the highest levels and encourage others to do the same. Mas is a returning co-chair for this group.
During the 2016–2017 fiscal year, Tocqueville Society members will continue to give, advocate and volunteer to ensure that children receive the best possible start in school and life, families are able to set a path to financial stability, people have access to health screenings, and older adults receive the food and attention they need to live independently in their homes.
“We are grateful to have David, Jose and Peter at the helm of our Tocqueville Society,” Harve A. Mogul, president and CEO, United Way of Miami-Dade, said. “Their commitment to our community, creativity in bringing people together and diverse backgrounds are a perfect combination to invigorate and grow our Tocqueville Society.”
David Barkus is a partner at Holland & Knight, a well-known international law firm. He focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions and private equity. He also represents both insureds and underwriters in connection with transactional risk products. In addition to serving on the United Way's board, Barkus serves as vice chair on the Easterseals South Florida's board of directors and teaches as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Miami School of Law. He is annually ranked in for Florida Corporate/M&A & Private Equity inChambers and Partners, received numerous "Dealmaker of the Year" awards and was named a "Top Lawyer" by the South Florida Legal Guide for 2015-16. Barkus earned his law degree with high honors from the University of Florida Levin College of Law and his bachelor of business administration in management and entrepreneurship from the University of Miami.
Jose Mas is CEO of MasTec, Inc., one of the largest and most diversified infrastructure service providers in North America. From 2007 – 2014, under his leadership, MasTec revenue increased from $930 million to over $4.5 billion. Mas grew up in the business, working his way from the field to the boardroom. In addition to serving on the United Way board, Mas serves on the board of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. In 2011, he received the Ernst & Young National Entrepreneur of the Year award, and in 2012, was featured on CBS’s hit show “Undercover Boss.” Mas earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Miami.
Peter Montadas is co-founder and president of Momentum Consulting Corporation, a Miami-based technology and professional services firm serving many of South Florida’s Fortune 500 companies. Momentum has been recognized as a “Best Place to Work” by South Florida Business Journal for six consecutive years. Prior to Momentum’s success, Montadas worked as a management consultant with large national consulting firms including Touche Ross & Co. and Deloitte and Touche. In addition to serving as a Tocqueville Society Cabinet co-chair, Montadas is a Belen Alumni Association Board member and founder of the Belen Information Technology Section and a board member of the Association of Cuban Engineers. He is also vice-chairman and board member of the Florida International University Center for Leadership. Montadas earned his master’s in Business Administration from American University and a bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering from the University of Miami.
Last year, the Tocqueville Society contributed $18 million to support the Miami-Dade community through United Way, which represents 40 percent of the overall annual campaign. The society was named after a French historian who recognized, celebrated and immortalized the voluntary spirit he witnessed in America during the 1800s. Since 1991, United Way of Miami-Dade’s Tocqueville Society honors those individuals who demonstrate an extraordinary sense of philanthropy and give $10,000 or more every year.
About United Way of Miami-Dade
Since 1924, United Way of Miami-Dade has been an innovative force in the community, successfully responding to emerging needs and transforming people’s lives. Today our work is focused on education, financial stability and health—the building blocks for a good life. We invest in quality programs, advocate for better policies, engage people in the community and generate resources. To learn more, give, advocate or volunteer, visit www.unitedwaymiami.org, www.facebook.com/
