For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Judy Erickson
(954) 924-2980, (954) 214-2456

Two of Hollywood Beach’s familiar faces were recognized for their dedicated service to beach visitors at the Dec. 20 baord meeting of the Hollywood Beach Community Redevelopment Agency.

Beach CRA Executive Director Gil Martinez presented plaques to Martin Bertuzzi and Wade Bragg, recognizing and commending them for being nominated for the 2005 Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau’s SUNsational Service Courtesy Awards.

Bertuzzi, a Beach Ranger, and Bragg, a Hollywood Beach Business Association Board member who runs Joe’s Market, were nominated by the Beach CRA for the 17th annual hospitality awards program for “going above and beyond in creating a ‘wow’ experience” for visitors to Hollywood Beach.

Martinez said Bertuzzi and Bragg are goodwill ambassadors for Hollywood Beach who are deserving of recognition.

“These awards of special recognition allow the Beach CRA to publicly applaud these individuals who embody the highest standards of hospitality,” Martinez said.

Martin Bertuzzi has a dedication to customer service that exceeds his duties as a Beach Ranger. A friendly and familiar presence on Hollywood Beach, Bertuzzi constantly interacts with the public on a one-on-one basis, offering assistance to all who need it. He provides maps, directions and information to visitors, and helps promote a safe, clean and enjoyable beach environment for tourists, locals and business owners alike.

Bertuzzi is regarded as a knowledgeable source of information on beach history and events, as well as code enforcement issues and public safety. As an employee of the Beach Ranger Program, which was initiated by the Hollywood Beach CRA, Bertuzzi also serves as an extra set of eyes and ears for the Hollywood Police Department.

Wade Bragg not only lives and works on the beach but also serves as an active member of the Hollywood Beach Business Association Board. An invaluable source of information on all that is Hollywood Beach, he promotes the area to everyone he comes in contact with, both on the job and off, whether they be tourists, locals or would-be investors.

Bragg assists visitors as well as other Hollywood Beach businesses by distributing fliers for beach-area restaurants and pamphlets for local hotels and motels to his customers at Joe’s Market. In addition, he helps publicize beach happenings to both tourists and locals, and he encourages other beach businesses to get involved in the many events presented by the City of Hollywood and the Hollywood Beach CRA.

“Hollywood Beach has much to offer those who live, work and play here – our beautiful, award-wining beach, the unique, picturesque Broadwalk, our ongoing redevelopment efforts, and the many businesses that offer visitors and locals alike anything they might want or need,” Martinez said. “But when we talk about the CRA District’s many assets, we definitely should include the people, like Martin and Wade, who help make Hollywood Beach the wonderful seaside community and destination location that it is.”