The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce honored Armando Codina with the George E. Merrick Award of Excellence, the Chamber’s highest individual honor, during its 2026 Annual Conference. Codina, the Founder and Executive Chairman of Codina Partners, was celebrated for his decades of visionary leadersh ip, entrepreneurial achievement and enduring contributions to the Coral Gables and South Florida community. Presented by The Allen Morris Company, the George E. Merrick Awards of Excellence Dinner took place on Thursday, August 20, 2026 at The Biltmore Hotel. Named in honor of George E. Merrick, the founder of Coral Gables, the award recognizes individuals whose leadership and achievements have left a lasting mark on the Gables community. Codina joins an esteemed group of past honorees who have shaped the region’s business and civic landscape. “I am certainly not deserving of this award, but I appreciate the honor,” said Armando Codina. “Coral Gables has always been more than a place to build a business. It’s a place to build a future. It is a community with a unique character, history and vision that makes it unlike anywhere else in South Florida. George E. Merrick understood the importance of creating a place where people could not only live and work, but truly feel a sense of belonging. To be recognized for his legacy is a great honor, and it reinforces my belief that we have a responsibility to continue investing in Coral Gables and preserving the culture and character that make this community so special for generations to come.” As the founder of one of South Florida’s most respected real estate investment and development firms, Armando Codina is known for leaving communities better than he found them and for transformational developments such as Downtown Doral and Beacon Logistics Park. Over the course of his distinguished professional career, he has served on the boards of several Fortune 500 companies, including General Motors, American Airlines, Bellsouth and The Home Depot. The George E. Merrick Awards of Excellence Dinner brings together business and community leaders from across the region for an evening dedicated to celebrating excellence and honoring those who have helped define the character and success of Coral Gables. The event is part of the Chamber’s 2026 Annual Conference, presented by Florida Blue.The post Armando Codina Honored with George E. Merrick Award of Excellence for His Enduring Contributions to Coral Gables first appeared on Miami's Community News. ...read more read less