VURAL CENGİZ, President
He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Finance from Ankara University’s School of Political Sciences (SBF), a Master of Arts degree in Economics and a MBA from State University of West Georgia. He was a member of the teaching staff of Ankara University and Cukurova University from 1980 to 1986.
He has been in the US since 1986 and served Turkish-American community in several organizations. He helped 130 Bosnian families to settle in Atlanta area working together with World Relief and International Rescue Committee. He received volunteer of year awards from IRC and Save the Children. Cengiz was the president of Georgia Turkish American Cultural Association between 1994 and 1996.
He received High Service Award of TACA in 1998, in national level, Cengiz has been serving as a volunteer in ATAA since 1996. He was a VP for Southeastern region, Treasurer, President-Elect and President. He received Meritorius Service Award of ATAA in 1996, and Distinguished Service Award of ATAA in 1998. Cengiz is currently residing in Florida and has a business for Real Estate and Securities Investments, besides financing and environment consulting.
He is married to Sabina Cengiz.
FUAT ORNARLİ, Vice President
Fuat Ornarli, P.E., has 35 years of experience in structural engineering as a designer(PE) and contractor (GC) in USA and abroad.
Education
* 1973 Middle East Technical University Ankara, Turkey B.Sc., Civil Engineering
* Several post-graduate courses in 'Budgeting in construction' , 'Cost Analysis' , 'Disputes of Contacting', 'Specifications' , 'Value Engineering'
Publications/Softwares
* "KOLON VE PERDE DONATI TABLOLARI" -Chamber of Civil Engineers Publishing -Turkey 1977 (Handbook for Column and Shearwall Design), Authors: Fuat Ornarli & Zafer Kinaci
* The softwares of Structural Analysis & Design, called "PGM3", which 3D analyses the structure under various loads such as EQ, Wind, and "PGM4' which designs the members
Fuat Ornarli s a member of the following associations:
* Chamber of Civil Engineers - Ankara
Chamber of Civil Eengineers - Izmir
* Middle East Technical University Alumni Society
* ASCE-American Society of Civil Engineers
* ASSE-American Society of Structural Engineers
* FTAA Florida Turkish American Association ( Correspondence secretary)
* Miami Lakes Chamber of Commerce
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ERKAN NUR, Treasurer
Eric Erkan Nur has been serving Southeast Florida business community and residents more than 18 years. In addition to his extensive experience in selling, renting and managing commercial and residential real estate, he received licenses practically in every aspect of real estate business. He also holds Masters degrees in Business Administration (MBA) and Computer Science (MCS):
* Broker and President of Nur Realty, LLC.
* Licensed Real Estate Salesman since 1989.
* Licensed Real Estate Broker-Salesman since 1992.
* Licensed Mortgage Broker since 1992.
* Licensed and Registered Real Estate Appraiser (1993-2001).
* Licensed Real Estate Instructor (1991-1999)
* Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from ODTU (METU), Ankara, Turkey, 1980.
* Masters degree in Computer Science from FAU, Boca Raton, Florida, USA, in 1988.
* Masters degree in Business Administration from NYIT, New York, NY, USA, in 1995.
* Successfully completed Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce Leadership Boca 2002 program.
Eric Erkan Nur is a member of the following associations:
* Better Business Bureau.
* Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce.
* Palm Beach County Association of Realtors.
* Florida Association of Realtors.
* National Association of Realtors.
* Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
* International Business Council.
* Turkish American Chamber of Commerce
* Florida Turkish American Association ( President )
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MELTEM BIRKEGREN, Secretary
Born in Izmir, Turkey, Meltem (Yaşaroğlu) Birkegren graduated from T.E.D. Ankara Koleji in 1969. She studied at the Academy of Economical & Commercial Sciences in Ankara (AITIA), majoring in Foreign Trade. After graduation in 1973, she joined Ericsson Türk Ticaret, Ltd as Assistant Trade Director, and eventually became the Trade Director. She remained in that position until May 1985 when she got married and moved to Sweden, where she was rehired by Ericsson to work at their headquarters. After two years in Stockholm, she moved to Nassau, Bahamas with her husband where she stayed until August 1988 when she moved to Ft.Lauderdale, Florida in the U.S.A. where she still resides.
She started her own Export company in 1989, and has been in the same business ever since. Her company exports heavy duty machinery parts, especially for ships engines, as well as equipment and parts for larger hotels. She also provides Turkish interpreter services, and she is a partner at Europe House, Inc.
In 2000 she was appointed Chairperson for Turkey at the Greater Ft.Lauderdale Sister Cities International (GFLSCI). Ft.Lauderdale’s sister city in Turkey is Muğla Province.
She’s the owner & moderator of several Yahoo groups, including SFLTURKS which, with over 500 members, serves as a communication medium between the Turkish community living within the tri-county area of South Florida. She also designed and manages several websites, including "Turkish Digest" and “We are the Turks".
Meltem was awarded Daughters of Ataturk Woman of Distinction award in 2001, got a recognition in 2003, and Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.
Meltem speaks Turkish, English, Swedish, Danish and Italian.