John “Jack” E. Abdo serves as Vice Chairman of BBX Capital, Inc. and has been doing so for approximately 39 years. Jack joined the Board of Atlantic Federal in 1984 and shortly thereafter joined the Board of Directors of IRE Financial Corporation, both of which are now known as BBX Capital, Inc. Since 2002, he has also served as Vice Chairman of Bluegreen Vacations Holding Corporation and of Bluegreen Vacations Corporation.
Since 1967, Jack has been President of the Abdo Companies, Inc., which was formerly a development and construction company and is now a holding company managing its own affairs. He formerly served as Vice Chairman of both Benihana, Inc. (formerly listed on NASDAQ: BNHN) and Vice Chairman of Woodbridge Holdings Corporation (formerly NYSE: WDG).
Through his executive roles with several publicly traded companies and his own business, Jack has spearheaded real estate acquisitions, development and construction ventures totaling more than $10 billion. His company has built more than 5,500 residences throughout South Florida, which for a time made it the largest residential builder in Florida’s Broward County. Other notable successes include the acquisition and development of Cypress Creek Station, Center Port and a major twin-tower condominium known as Symphony Towers a project with 350 units in downtown Fort Lauderdale next to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Jack has significant private investment experience, having managed or played an integral role in transactions totaling more than $5 billion over the course of his career.
Jack is a member of the Board of Directors and the Finance Committee of the Broward Performing Arts Center Authority (PACA). He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Broward Performing Arts Foundation and was its President for over 20 years. Jack serves on the board of the BBX Capital Foundation, which has contributed over $15 million to the South Florida community. He is inducted into Nova Southeastern University’s Huizenga School of Business Entrepreneur Hall of Fame and has received the Spirit of 100 Award from the Broward Economic Development Council. Jack was appointed to and served on the South Florida Super Bowl XXIX Host Committee in 1993.