Dev Motwani, president of Merrimac Ventures and founder and managing partner of Chieftain Residential, has been announced as this year’s Fort Lauderdale Historical Society History Makers Honoree. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Fort Lauderdale Historical Society, proud steward of our community’s past by making our heritage accessible and engaging to residents and visitors, will hold its annual History Makers fundraiser on Thursday, April 5, at 6 p.m., at the historic New River Inn (231 SW 2nd Avenue). The nonprofit organization has announced Dev Motwani, president of Merrimac Ventures and founder and managing partner of Chieftain Residential, as the honoree for this year’s event that commends individuals who have made an impact on the growth of the City of Fort Lauderdale.
“Dev Motwani has a longstanding investment in the past, present and future growth of our beautiful City of Fort Lauderdale and is committed to preserving our vital history in each property he develops,” said Patricia Zeiler, executive director of the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society. “In addition to real estate, Dev is dedicated to the arts, education and a variety of nonprofit causes. We’re pleased to spotlight his efforts and we invite the community to join us as we celebrate his achievements.”
This year’s event will celebrate the city’s 107th birthday with cocktails, food stations and dancing under the stars on the downtown Fort Lauderdale campus.
Dev Motwani serves as president of Merrimac Ventures, a Fort Lauderdale-based real estate firm that focuses on value-added investment and development opportunities. With a primary focus on Florida, the company owns and operates hotels, condos, retail and rental apartments throughout the United States. Motwani is currently involved with $1 billion in development projects including the Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences, The Gale Boutique Hotel and Residences, Broadstone Oceanside, and the Flagler Village Hotel - all in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area. Motwani is also the founder and managing partner of Chieftain Residential, a yield-oriented distressed residential fund purchasing single-family homes and residential land, primarily in the Southeast US and Texas.
Prior to his current roles, Motwani worked at Credit Suisse in New York City, where he first structured OTC Equity Derivative trades for the firm’s largest corporate clients and then for the firm’s largest hedge fund clients. Before that, he worked in the White House and on the 2000 Gore/Lieberman presidential campaign.
Motwani plays an active role in the South Florida Community, currently serving on the board of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts Foundation, Broward College Foundation, the Orange Bowl Host Committee and the Crockett Foundation. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Public Policy from Duke University and a Master of Science degree in Real Estate Development from Columbia University.
Tickets for this year’s History Makers Gala are $100 (online service charges not included) and can be purchased online at www.eventbrite.com or by contacting Kamal Khan at (954) 463-4431, ext. 106, or via email at info@flhc.org. Seating is limited.
