Point of View

Odebrecht Construction, Inc., the Coral Gables-based construction and engineering firm, has distinguished itself by building some of Miami’s most iconic structures. Honored in 2008 by the Miami Chapter of the American Institute of Architects as “Contractor of the Year,” the Brazilian Odebrecht Group subsidiary’s projects are integral to the Miami downtown cityscape.

Gilberto Neves, CEO of Odebrecht Construction in the United States, has been quoted as saying, “One of our company’s core beliefs is that we do not build structures, but we also contribute to building communities.” Nowhere is this more evident than Odebrecht’s financial support and on-going involvement in the Adrienne Arsht Center. As a part of the Performing Arts Center Builders, a joint venture with The Haskell Co. of Jacksonville, Florida and EllisDon Corp. of Ontario, Canada, Odebrecht realized the architectural vision of Cesar Pelli when the Center’s doors opened in 2006 to Miami and the world.

Left to right: Tony Ojeda, ITC Executive Director, M. John Richard, President & CEO, Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, Bill Johnson, Seaport Director, Port of Miami, Ralph Gazitua, ITC Board Member, and Adam Peters, Senior Sister Cities Coordinator

Left to Right the four gentlemen speaking: Ralph Gazitua, ITC Board Member, Tony Ojeda, ITC Executive Director, Honorable Sergio Barroso, State Secretary for Economic Development for the State of Minas Gerais, and Gilberto Neves, Oderbrecht.

Gilberto Neves and Odebrecht continue to play an active role at the Adrienne Arsht Center as a Corporate Underwriter and in the community at large. Most recently, Odebrecht sponsored the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Trustee Luncheon honoring the Center’s Official Airline, American Airlines and a networking reception for an inbound delegation from Brazil hosted at the Center by the International Trade Consortium in the Terra Group Patrons Salon in the Ziff Ballet Opera House.

Odebrecht’s presence in Miami is experienced in its skyline, cityscape, and within the walls of some of its most important buildings, like the Adrienne Arsht Center. The support that we have enjoyed extends beyond the success of our fundraising team and permeates the community we serve in our programming and outreach activities.