A cheering audience at the 65th Annual State Leadership Conference for the Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL) welcomed two Florida International University (FIU) College of Business students into state-wide leadership roles.
Kevin Carballe, an FIU junior majoring in marketing, was elected Florida FBLA-PBL president, and Elizabeth Alvarez, a sophomore majoring in finance and management, was named parliamentarian at the conference, held in Orlando on March 26-28, 2015. FBLA-PBL at FIU students were also recognized many times at the awards ceremony.
Carballe joins the list of past Florida presidents from FIU, including graduating senior Gedma Estrada and Yanyn San Luis (BA ’10), who now serves chapter advisor and assistant director, Alumni Relations.
“A dream of mine has come true,” said Carballe, who took office immediately. “I believe in this organization and the difference it makes in the lives of students about to enter the business world. I feel privileged to lead the Florida collegiate students of FBLA-PBL.”
As a result of receiving the highest grade in the Parliamentary Procedure test, Alvarez was named state parliamentarian. She is also eligible for the national position, to be determined at the 2015 National Leadership Conference in Chicago, June 24 to 28, 2015.
“The theme of this conference was ‘Journey to Success,’ and was indicative of the many workshops and opportunities at the conference,” said Alvarez, who was among the 15 students from FIU who attended the conference.
Chapter and members capture other awards.
At the awards ceremony, the FIU chapter of FBLA-PBL also learned they were receiving the Gold Seal Chapter Award of Merit.
“This national recognition, earned by only a few chapters, shows the level of excellence the students have achieved by consistently bringing opportunities to members and serving others,” said San Luis.
Members of FIU’s FBLA-PBL were presented with other awards for competitions held at the conference as well as for previous projects on campus:
First place award
Emerging Business Issues: Elizabeth Alvarez and Lais Negron
Second place award
Future Business Executive: Kevin Carballe
Third place awards:
Job Interview: Eric Semino
Macroeconomics: Adrian Peart
Fourth place awards:
Statistical Analysis: Adrian Peart
Local Chapter Annual Business Report: chapter award
Community Service Project: chapter award
Additional recognition
March of Dimes Participation: chapter award
CMAP Executive Level:
Elizabeth Alvarez, Kevin Carballe, Gedma Estrada
Membership Madness:
Elizabeth Alvarez, Kevin Carballe, Gedma Estrada, Lais Negron
Membership Mania:
Elizabeth Alvarez, Kevin Carballe, Gedma Estrada, Lais Negron
