People

Jeffrey Soffer

Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

Jeffrey Soffer is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fontainebleau Development, one of the country’s premier real estate development groups that specializes in large-scale lifestyle developments within the hospitality, retail, residential, and commercial sectors.

One of the country’s most highly regarded real estate developers, Jeffrey Soffer has been dedicated to Fontainebleau Development’s growth for more than 25 years. His vision and influence can be seen in the development of numerous award-winning projects in South Florida and abroad.

Soffer has evolved Fontainebleau Development from a regional leader into one of the most creative and dynamic organizations in real estate today. Soffer led the $1 billion expansion and renovation of the company’s landmark Fontainebleau Miami Beach, transforming the iconic resort into one of the country’s most sought-after beachfront playgrounds. Famed for architect Morris Lapidus’ emblematic curvilinear façade and whimsical interior elements, the 1,504-room resort now includes two new luxury all-suite towers; 12 restaurants and lounges; a 40,000-square-foot spa; and a dramatic oceanfront poolscape.

In addition to Fontainebleau Miami Beach, the company’s portfolio includes JW Marriott Turnberry Resort & Spa, a 300-acre, AAA Four Diamond Mediterranean-style luxury retreat, and the Four-Diamond Hilton Nashville Downtown.

Soffer also has created numerous South Florida residential landmarks, including Turnberry Ocean Colony, Porto Vita, Fontainebleau II and Fontainebleau III, Turnberry Village and more; brought his company’s “mansions in the sky” concept to Las Vegas, creating the first high-rise condominium community overlooking The Strip; partnered with MGM Mirage to build The Residences at MGM Grand, which includes three sold-out and completed 40-story towers on the Las Vegas casino-hotel property; and expanded the company into suburban Washington D.C. and The Bahamas with successful high-rise residential developments. Currently Soffer is spearheading development of Turnberry Ocean Club Residences in Sunny Isles Beach, a new 54-story ultra-luxurious high-rise tower on the ocean featuring 154 residences ranging from 2,750 to 10,000 square feet.

Philip Goldfarb

Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer Philip Goldfarb brings more than three decades of industry experience and expertise to his role overseeing Fontainebleau Development’s Hospitality Group and Fontainebleau Aviation. Additionally, Mr. Goldfarb leads the company’s capital projects team, playing a critical role in the expansion of the Fontainebleau brand – from innovative new restaurant concepts to multi-million dollar renovation projects across multiple company verticals.

Mr. Goldfarb is a graduate and influential alumnus of Florida International University’s renowned Chaplain School of Hospitality. His exceptional contributions to both the industry and his alma mater have led to his appointment as the hospitality school’s Chair of the Dean’s Council, and he has been honored with FIU's prestigious "FIU Medallion" and the school's esteemed "Torchbearer Award." He has also been honored with the “Excellence In Tourism Award” by the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce.

Mike Pappas

Co-General Counsel

Mike Pappas joins Fontainebleau Development as Vice President and General Counsel, where he will be responsible for managing litigation, risk, contractual, legal and compliance matters in our hospitality, gaming, commercial, aviation, maritime, and construction divisions.

Mike brings extensive experience in the successful development and operations of large-scale luxury integrated resorts and gaming operations and has served as General Counsel for several national and international gaming companies. Mike’s experience includes bringing billion-plus dollar resorts from concept to stabilized operations, serving as a senior member of c-suite operations teams, and providing advice and counsel to business leaders from line level to the Board of Directors. Prior to going in-house, Mike enjoyed a successful construction, government relations, and government contracting practice in several highly ranked national and international law firms.

In addition to his other pursuits, Mike also serves as an adjunct professor of law at American University, Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C. where he teaches on the topics of Contracts, Construction Law, Gaming Law, and Hospitality law.

Mike received his JD from the University of Maryland School of law and his BS from the University of South Carolina.

Daniel K. Adkins

President of Gaming

Daniel K. Adkins joined Fontainebleau Development in May, 2018, as Managing Director and Chief of Casino Operations and Gaming Development. Adkins brings 42 years of experience in casino and pari-mutuel wagering operations. With a background in engineering, Adkins’ early career included 12 years with Autotote Ltd., predecessor to Scientific Games, Ltd., one of the world’s leading providers of pari-mutuel wagering, gaming and lottery systems. Adkins was at the forefront of developing, training and installing pari-mutuel systems at the majority of racetracks and Jai Alai Frontons in the United States and played a significant role in developing the existing platform for sell/cash pari-mutuel wagering systems. In addition to Adkins’ gaming expertise, he brings extensive real estate management and development skills. He has decades of work in Governmental affairs, and is highly regarded for his role in spearheading the successful statewide ballot initiative in 2004 that brought Class III gaming to Florida and paved the way for the State to enter into a long overdue revenue sharing compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Both these endeavors have strengthened Florida’s economy and provided broader employment opportunities for its residents. In 2009, Adkins was officially recognized as one of the 50 most powerful people in Broward County, Florida.

During 32 years with his prior stewardship of a Michigan based multi-family real estate company, Adkins also successfully operated racing venues in Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, and West Virginia. In 1994 in West Virginia, he steered legislation to allow slot machines at pari-mutuel facilities. In 2006, he won the voters’ approval to expand that operation to full casino gaming. This provided many additional employment opportunities – at the casino and at the State University which began an accredited course for casino related careers.

Mr. Adkins is highly respected for his commitment to many and varied charities with an emphasis on children’s programs. He is also well-known for his passion to be proactive for the improvement of each community where his business interests lie. He is a current member of the Broward County Tourism Development Council where he has served for the last five years.

Sheryl Kass

Co-General Counsel

Sheryl Kass joins Fontainebleau Development as Vice President and General Counsel, coming from Turnberry, where she focused on select financing transactions, asset and entity oversight, retail and hospitality agreements and contracts, residential purchase and sale agreements, development contracts and
other advisory work.

Sheryl was previously with King & Spalding out of New York City. As a Real Estate Partner for the firm, she represented investment banks in financing deals of commercial assets including shopping centers. She also represented joint ventures in obtaining financing and assisted developers in acquiring various types of real estate.

Sheryl received her Juris Doctor degree, with honors, from Emory University School of Law.

Jim Cohen

President of Residential

For more than two decades Jim Cohen has been a leader in the luxury residential real estate industry, contributing to more than twenty billion in sales throughout his career. As the President of Residential for Fontainebleau Development, Cohen will all sales efforts Turnberry Ocean Club Residences and future development projects to be announced. Prior to holding this position, Jim led sales efforts for some of the most noteworthy buildings in the marketplace as well as holding a Vice President of Sales position at Turnberry for seventeen years where he oversaw Porto Vita, Turnberry Ocean Colony and many other reputable development projects.

Eric Cohen

Executive Vice President, Construction

As Executive Vice President of Construction for Fontainebleau Development, Eric Cohen has over 25 years of multi-story construction experience in South Florida, overseeing all phases and construction of residential, hospitality, retail, and medical development projects.

Prior to Joining Fontainebleau Development, Cohen served as a Project Executive for Coastal Construction Group of South Florida, where he managed various projects for the past 17 years. While with Coastal his projects included luxury condominiums, hotels & historic renovations, in Fort Lauderdale and Miami Beach. Key assignments included the Miami Beach Edition Hotel and Luxury Condominiums, The St. Regis Bal Harbour, Ocean Palms Condominium, The Ritz Carlton Miami Beach, and a host of other hotels and commercial projects.

Eric has a degree in Construction Management from Florida International University (1991), is a State Licensed General Contractor (Florida) since 1992, and for the last 11 years has served on a local City Building Oversight Committee.

Patrick Powers

Senior Vice President of Finance

As Senior Vice President, Patrick Powers is responsible for all accounting information and treasury functions for Fontainebleau Development. Powers joined the company in 2000 having served as Chief Financial Officer as well as Controller from 1995 to 2000 for Williams Island in Aventura, Florida.

A graduate of Florida State University, Powers holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. He is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, as well as the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

John Rawlins

Executive Vice President of Design

For the past 25 years, John Rawlins has been cultivating timeless and luxurious interiors for businesses and homes throughout the country. Originally from Connecticut, his passion for design led him to New York City to study interior design at the prestigious Pratt Institute where he was equally inspired by the cultural offerings of the city that never sleeps. Upon completing his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design, he joined the architectural firm of Tucci, Segrete & Rosen which specialized in luxury retail environments and retail property development. Over the following 7 years, he rose from a studio assistant to the design director.

When Neiman Marcus (one of TSR’s clients) purchased Bergdorf Goodman, John was tapped to be the new Creative Director of Store Design and he would lead an ambitious reinvention of the historic department store. The former, dowdy, grey lady of Fifth Avenue was transformed into the exuberant and opulent temple of fashion it is today. In 2004, John continued his corporate career within the luxury, retail sector by accepting the position of Creative Director at Saks Fifth Avenue where he was responsible for the design and overall customer perception of all 56 stores.

In 2007, John formed Rawlins Calderone Design with business partner Athena Calderone which allowed his passion for design to be applied to high-end residential and hospitality projects in addition to his ongoing consultation for various luxury retailers and brands such as Nancy Gonzalez, Lorraine Schwartz, Thakoon, Rebecca Minkoff, and Harrods of London. John was eventually retained by the Fontainebleau Resort to design three retail boutiques at the iconic resort as part of the 2008 grand re-opening. A symbiotic relationship between client and designer was formed which led to additional projects at the Fontainebleau as well as residential projects for members of the Soffer family. Ultimately, John joined the team full time as the Vice President of Design in the fall of 2016 where he continues to apply his talents with the goal of creating inspired and memorable environments for the assorted assets of the company.

Austin Bagwell

Vice President of Industry Relations and Business Development

Austin Bagwell serves as Vice President of Industry Relations and Business Development for Fontainebleau Development, a premier real estate development group specializing in large-scale lifestyle developments within the hospitality, retail, residential, and commercial sectors. In this role, Ms. Bagwell spearheads the sales efforts, brand awareness, and synergy for group convention customers at Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Fontainebleau Las Vegas, JW Marriott Turnberry Isle, and Hilton Nashville, as well as other Fontainebleau Development entities. A highly driven and passionate hospitality sales professional with extensive knowledge of top-tier meeting destinations, Ms. Bagwell brings more than 20 years of hotel sales experience to her role and a proven track record for delivering on promises to organizations, clients, colleagues, and investors. 

Prior to joining Fontainebleau Development in November of 2022, Ms. Bagwell served as Director of Global Sales for MGM Resorts International’s Luxury Meetings District. She began her hospitality career in Destination Management in Orlando, Florida before moving to Las Vegas to open The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, where she spent three years as a top-producing sales account executive. From 2013 to 2020, Ms. Bagwell continued her hotel sales career handling the Midwest and Incentive House Market for ARIA Resort & Casino.

Ms. Bagwell received her Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from The Central University of Florida. She currently resides in both South Florida and Las Vegas.