(WEST PALM BEACH, FLA) – A Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) tradition is celebrating its milestone 40th year on November 14! Dating back to 1984, American Free Enterprise Day (AFE) at PBA has honored local individuals whose hard work and achievement exemplify the best of the American free enterprise system. This year, PBA will award The Breakers CEO, Paul Leone, as its main medalist. Kelly Smallridge, president and CEO of the Business Development Board (BDB) of Palm Beach County and Troy Maschmeyer, CEO of Maschmeyer, Inc., have been named companion medalists.
“PBA is not just within the top six percent of business schools worldwide, having earned AACSB accreditation,” said Dr. Debra A. Schwinn, PBA president, “we share this hallmark of excellence with Ivy League and major state universities, setting a high standard for business education that is rooted in core business skills, servant leadership and integrity. Celebrating American Free Enterprise Day by honoring local business leaders reflects those ideals and gives our students an opportunity to see real-life examples in entrepreneurship and free trade in action through our prestigious medalists.”
Paul Leone serves as CEO of the 128-year-old, privately held Breakers Palm Beach, Inc. and its parent company, Flagler System, Inc. Leone was exposed to the hospitality industry at a young age, working in his family’s motels and restaurants. Since his 2016 appointment as CEO, he has been credited with engineering and sustaining the turnaround of one of the greatest resorts in the world by creating and fostering a unique company culture and achieving best-in-class employee fulfillment, guest satisfaction, community service and financial performance. He is actively involved and widely recognized for his work with numerous civic and professional organizations.
Kelly Smallridge is the longest-tenured economic development president in the State of Florida. She has a formidable track record, spearheading some of the largest job creation projects in the region. Under her visionary leadership, the Business Development Board (BDB) has revolutionized Palm Beach County’s economy, earning numerous state and national accolades for recruiting and expanding companies in the region. Credited with launching the Wall Street South initiative, the BDB has attracted over 100 financial service firms to Palm Beach County, contributing to the economic transformation of the area.
Troy Maschmeyer brings nearly four decades of development expertise to the area. His company, Maschmeyer Concrete of Florida, is one of the leading concrete and block producers with over 500 trucks and 42 locations. In 2024, his business was listed #154 of the biggest companies headquartered in the state of Florida. In 2021, he was given the Hicklin Award in recognition of outstanding commitment, dedication and contribution to the concrete products industry. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Club of Palm Beach County for more than 30 years. He is also committed to a number of charities including Habitat for Humanity and Tunnel to Towers, to name a few.
“The real measure of our success at PBA is how we invigorate our local economy and the community through graduates who enter the workforce with values-based leadership that impacts not just corporations but everyone,” continued Schwinn. “Paul Leone loves to tell me that he can spot our PBA graduates among the staff working for him at the Breakers. They exemplify true leadership principles and give back to their community. It’s especially rewarding to hear these comments as we work to further enhance our commitment to the Palm Beaches. The new Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Business Hall, set for completion in spring 2026 as part of our downtown West Palm Beach campus expansion, marks a significant step in our ongoing commitment to the Palm Beaches. This development is celebrated as part of our 40th anniversary, recognizing both our future and the local leaders shaped by PBA.”
This year’s AFE Day will be held at the PBA’s Rubin Arena. The ceremony which features patriotic music and Paul Leone as the main speaker start at 11 a.m. followed by lunch at 12:30 p.m. The event is free for attendees. Donations can be made in support of American Free Enterprise at PBA.
For more event information, or to make a donation, please visit pba.edu/about/growth/free-enterprise-day. For information about Palm Beach Atlantic University, visit pba.edu.
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About Palm Beach Atlantic University
Palm Beach Atlantic University, founded in 1968, is a private, Christian university, offering 100 different programs and pathways, including undergraduate degrees, graduate degreesand professional degrees. The university has a 19-acre campus in West Palm Beach and an Orlando campus, and the 78-acre Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Athletic Campus provides facilities for training and hosting intercollegiate sports. Sailfish athletes compete in 18 NCAA Division II and Sunshine State Conference varsity sports. PBA affirms the values that have built American society, including religious liberty and the free enterprise system. The university is dedicated to the integration of biblical principles to prepare students for learning, leadership, and service. Learn more at www.pba.edu.
