Banking -- BankAtlantic promoted Steven D. Hickman, 44, to the newly created position of COO. Since NationsBank's takeover of Barnett Banks, BankAtlantic is the largest financial institution based in Florida. Hickman joined the Fort Lauderdale bank in August 1997 as executive vice president for community and small-business banking. BankAtlantic also named Denise C. Gaudy, 43, to be senior vice president and manager of international trade finance. She was most recently with NationsBank.
Diane de Vries Ashley was elected president of the Florida International Bankers Association (FIBA) for the 1998/99 fiscal year. Ashley, 51, is senior vice president and general manager of Bank of Boston in Coral Gables, a subsidiary of BankBoston Corp. Founded in 1979, FIBA is composed of 85 banks, from 24 countries, that are active in international trade and commerce. Ashley replaces Jorge Viera, 50, senior vice president and manager of international private banking at Northern Trust Bank.
Consumer Products -- Albert J. Dunlap, the CEO who gained the title "Chainsaw Al" for slashing corporate work forces, was ousted as chairman and CEO of Delray Beach's Sunbeam Corp., the small-appliance maker that recently acquired Mr. Coffee and Coleman camping products. Dunlap, 60, joined Sunbeam in July 1996, slashing 12,000 jobs and quadrupling the company's stock price. In recent months, however, Sunbeam failed to meet its financial targets. Peter Langerman, chief operating officer of Franklin Mutual Advisers, replaces Dunlap as chairman. Franklin, run by investor Michael Price, is Sunbeam's largest shareholder, with a 17.4% stake. Jerry Levin, 54, former chairman of Revlon and the Coleman Co., takes over as CEO. Ronald Perelman, who controls Revlon, is Sunbeam's second largest shareholder.
Education -- The Florida State Board of Community Colleges named J. David Armstrong Jr., 41, executive director of Florida's Community College System. Armstrong has served as assistant executive director for the past eight years. He replaces Clark Maxwell, who retired in December.
Entertainment -- Gino Natalicchio, 33, takes over as general manager for Playboy TV Latin America, a joint venture between Playboy Entertainment and the Cisneros Television Group (CTG). He replaces Alex Behrens, 41, who was promoted to director of new business for Playboy and CTG. Natalicchio, who will be based in Miami Beach, was senior vice president, international for The Box Worldwide, a producer of interactive music television.
The Florida Film Commissioners Association elected southwest Florida film commissioner Beverly Fox as president. Fox, 40, succeeds Jeff Peel as leader of the statewide organization, which represents more than 40 local film commissions across Florida.
Manufacturing -- Breed Technologies, a global leader in automotive occupant safety systems, tapped Charles J. Speranzella Jr., 42, to be president and chief operating officer. Since joining the Lakeland company in 1994, Speranzella has held a variety of executive positions, most recently vice chairman.
Ronald G. Farrell, 55, is out as chairman, CEO and president of financially struggling Caribbean Cigar Co. in Miami. Edward C. Williams will serve as interim president while the company looks for Farrell's replacement.
Retail -- Home Shopping Network named Ken Hicks, 45, to be executive vice president and general merchandise manager. He will be responsible for the company's merchandising, planning and programming activities at the St. Petersburg-based television retailer. Hicks, a 20-year retailing veteran, comes to Home Shopping from May Department Stores.
Technology -- MasTec Network Services, a new division of Miami's MasTec Inc., appointed Carlos A. Valdes as president. Valdes, 35, joined MasTec in 1993 and was most recently senior vice president of corporate affairs. MasTec installs aerial and underground cables and wireless networks for telecommunications and utility companies. The new division will merge MasTec subsidiaries in the areas of design, installation and integration of voice, data and video networks.
Utilities -- St. Petersburg-based Florida Progress Corp. and its principal subsidiary, Florida Power Corp., promoted Pamela A. Saari to be treasurer for both companies. She has been acting treasurer since June 1997 and replaces James Smallwood, who was promoted to vice president for mergers and acquisitions.
Obituary -- Sam Beebe, a prominent bank stock analyst and manager of the Beebe Fund, died June 20 of a heart attack. He was 53. Before starting the Beebe Fund, he spent three years at William R. Hough & Co., a St. Petersburg investment firm.