About us
Founded in 2025 as a non-profit neighborhood association, SoBe West was born of a desire to improve the quality of life for residents and local businesses. We are focused on the area from 5th Street to the Collins Canal, and from Alton Road to Biscayne Bay, and are inclusive to the people, businesses, and issues that impact living and working in South Beach.
We are 100% volunteer-run, and we welcome residents from all parts of Miami Beach to become involved. Our vision is for a vibrant and safe neighborhood that receives our share of benefits and funding from the City of Miami Beach.
Our mission
Our mission is to support a unified community where members can connect, collaborate, and contribute to making our neighborhood a vibrant and safe place to live and work. We will:
Re-energize our neighborhood community by engaging with residents, condominium associations, businesses and city officials.
Support our community with the right resources, as a place for our members to get what they need and connect.
Ensure our neighbourhood culture flourishes in all environments. Community spaces reflect our way of life, with food, music, art, wellness and fitness.
Our approach
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Working with elected officials and local businesses advocating for community improvements, harmonious solutions, and responsible collaborative development.
Doing the work in the community, by regularly meeting with the power brokers to craft better decisions and making sure we, at all times, represent what is best for our beloved South Beach home.
Working with Condominium Associations as a Special Advisors to gather input on issues and voice of residents.
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Building partnerships with businesses and residents: A vibrant community needs businesses, restaurants and amenities to enhance the quality of life. Businesses are partners, and as such, will have a seat at this Board’s table.
Value and gathering diversity of opinions.
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Events and gatherings to engage as a community.
Provide Resources for Condominiums to deal with Special Assessments and other requirements and required building maintenance.
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Regular public elections for members of the Board.
Timely disclosure of important issues and latest developments.
Our Board of Directors
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Tim Carr
PRESIDENT
Tim Carr has been a Miami Beach resident since 2014 and played a key role in launching the SoBe West Neighborhood Association in early 2025. He currently serves as President of SoBe West, as well as Condo President of his building, and leads the SoBe West Condo Board group—an initiative focused on addressing shared challenges and promoting best practices in residential building management.
He is also a board member of Tinkerbell Kids, where he mentors children of incarcerated parents, reflecting his commitment to community service and youth development.
Professionally, Tim is a pharmacist and retired pharmaceutical executive. He now co-owns and operates a travel agency with his husband, specializing in luxury ocean and river cruise experiences.
Tim is deeply engaged in issues impacting residents’ quality of life and is equally passionate about health, wellness, and fitness. He actively competes in HYROX, DEKA/Spartan CrossFit racing events across the United States and Europe.
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Stephan Ginez
DIRECTOR
Stephan Ginez has been a resident of Miami Beach for 29 years. In 2009 he purchased with his partner the property located at 1409 Lincoln Rd which became in 2014 the Gaythering Hotel.
Stephan has been involved with the West Avenue Phase 2 since 2017 and pushed for significant changes including the relocation of the above ground infrastructure originally planned on Lincoln Rd, a resident friendly harmonization agreement and additional parking for the residents. He is currently a member of the City Neighborhood Resiliency Projects Advisory Committee.
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Nancy Haney Duke
DIRECTOR
Nancy Haney Duke is a west end resident and condominium association president who has been actively involved in neighborhood advocacy, infrastructure issues, and waterfront protection in Miami Beach. For many years she has worked constructively with residents and city officials on matters affecting Lincoln Road/surrounding waterfront. During the Lincoln Road Resiliency Project, she collaborated with community stakeholders to help restore ten parking spaces slated for removal, preserving essential access for the west end.
Nancy has also been engaged in addressing quality-of-life and environmental concerns along the Biscayne Bay shoreline, advocating for enforcement related to unauthorized activity in the Lincoln Road parklet and derelict vessels anchored offshore. As condominium president, she is currently leading efforts related to Emergency Life Safety Systems (ELSS) compliance and participating in discussions regarding the Baywalk and waterfront planning to ensure that development and infrastructure improvements remain balanced and resident focused. She was recently appointed to the Marine Waterfront Protection Authority, where she continues her commitment to responsible stewardship of Miami Beach’s coastal resources. Nancy brings a practical, collaborative approach to civic engagement, with a focus on transparency, accountability, and long-term neighborhood sustainability.
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Tom Hawkins
DIRECTOR
Tom Hawkins has lived in Miami Beach for over 20 years and has been a resident of the SoBe West neighborhood for three years. He has been active in community affairs for the neighborhoods in which he has lived, most notably as they relate to quality-of-life initiatives and making sure the voices of residents are heard. Tom cares deeply about the future of our SoBe West neighborhood and the City of Miami Beach generally. Tom is a semi-retired lawyer and businessman who devotes his time to serving on Boards of for-profit companies and not-for profit organizations.
Tom enjoys physical fitness, reading books, listening to broad genres of music, sports and walking his Springer Spaniels throughout the neighborhood.
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Valerie Navarrete
DIRECTOR
Valerie Navarrete is a Miami Beach Realtor with nearly three decades of experience and a dedicated community advocate committed to improving the quality of life in the city she calls home. For more than 34 years, she has volunteered to help individuals experiencing homelessness rebuild their lives through outreach, mentorship, and advocacy—connecting people with job training, employment opportunities, housing resources, and workforce support.
She is the Founder and President of Favela Miami, a nonprofit focused on workforce reintegration for individuals experiencing homelessness. Through this work, Valerie collaborates with the City of Miami Beach, local businesses, and community partners to create pathways that restore dignity, stability, and independence.
Valerie is also an active civic volunteer, serving with the Miami Beach Police Department as a Civilian Volunteer Patrol member and Police Victim Services volunteer. She is a CERT volunteer, a Guardian Ad Litem for children in the court system, and Co-Host of the Miami Beach Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club, helping foster civic dialogue with local leaders.
Through her professional work, nonprofit leadership, and volunteer service, Valerie remains committed to strengthening neighborhoods and building a safer, more connected Miami Beach community.
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Jay Newman
DIRECTOR
Jay Newman spent over 40 years in international finance (not including five years practicing law before that). For most of my career I was an investor in the sovereign debt of developing countries. In the course of managing those investments he directed Legal actions in state and federal courts, and frequently negotiated with state, federal and foreign governments. Since leaving the daily grind ten years ago, Jay continued to advise investors but spends most of his time writing. Jay’s first novel (a political/financial thriller), Undermoney, was published by Scribners. A sequel, Uncertainty, will be published in 2027.
Jay hopes that his experience in analyzing complex legal questions and finding practical solutions will be useful.
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Robert Primivera
DIRECTOR
Bob Primavera is a full-time resident since 2017 and resides at the Flamingo. He is President of his condominium, active in local politics and working to make our neighborhood a safer and more desirable place to live.
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Flavio Rausei
DIRECTOR
Flavio Rausei is a full-time Miami Beach resident in 2020 and an owner at Mirador 1000. Since moving here, his goal has been simple: build community and make our building feel like home. Professionally, he works as a Wall Street regulator with FINRA, conducting audits of broker-dealers. In our city, he serves with the Miami Beach Police Department’s Civilian Volunteer Patrol, helping strengthen the relationship between residents and law enforcement while promoting safety and quality of life. Community involvement has always been important to Flavio. He served for many years as Board Member and President of the Habana Condominium in South Beach, and at Mirador 1000 actively participates in welcoming new residents through orientation meetings. To keep residents connected and informed, he created and managed the Mirador 1000 Facebook group with more than 430 members. He regularly share building updates, city information, and organize events that bring neighbors together — from Movie Nights and Pool Parties to themed Potluck dinners and BBQs. He has also invited city commissioners and mayoral candidates to engage directly with residents and discuss issues that impact our building.
Flavio believes a condominium should be more than just a place to live — it should be a thriving, engaged community. I am committed to strengthening that spirit with SoBe West Neighborhood Association residents.
Special Advisors
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Wesley Combs
SPECIAL ADVISOR
Wesley Combs is a philanthropy coach and passionate social justice advocate. Wes has been recognized nationally for his commitment to advancing equality in the workplace and is equally dedicated to giving back to the community. He currently serves on the Board of Advisors with WAMU – Washington DC’s NPR Station. Wes has held leadership roles at the following nonprofits: The Posse Foundation, Human Rights Campaign, Greater Washington Community Foundation, and Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.
Wes and his husband Greg split their time between South Beach (at The Waverly for more than 20 years) and Rehoboth Beach, DE.
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Clare McCord
SPECIAL ADVISOR
Clare McCord is a seasoned community advocate, with over 30 years’ experience of volunteer activism and leadership in two cities: Chicago and Miami Beach. A former Director and past President of the South of Fifth Neighborhood Association (SOFNA), as well as current Director and immediate past President of Miami Beach United, Clare currently serves as Chair of the City’s Neighborhood Resiliency Advisory Projects Committee.
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Arianna Vanin
SPECIAL ADVISOR
Arianna Vanin is the founder of Sabia Wellness House in Miami Beach, a sanctuary for holistic living, wellness education, and community. A visionary leader blending wellness and spirituality, she was born in Montreal and raised in South America by her Italian and Croatian parents, whose holistic lifestyle deeply shaped her path. After studying business at the University of Western Ontario and beginning a career in finance and healthcare strategy, Arianna realized her true passion lay in wellness - leading her to pursue her calling and create a space centered on healing and community.