Our unique service has established our place in commerce. This allows us to make a distinctive and substantial impact for our members.

Fuat Ornarli - President

Fuat Ornarli, P.E., graduated from the Middle East Technical University in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. After taking several graduate courses such as 'Budgeting in construction' , 'Cost Analysis' , 'Disputes of Contacting', 'Specifications' , and 'Value Engineering', he began his professional career as a Civil Engineer and General Contractor.

Mr. Ornarli started his career working with construction design projects. In 1998, he moved to the United States, starting with structural engineering and gained experience in bridge design, residential, commercial, industrial building design, and inspections. He has also co-authored multiple professional publications for engineers.

After 35 years of experience in engineering, he continues his work as a Professional Structural Engineer with his PSN Consulting company.

Since 1998, Mr. Ornarli has been serving the Turkish-American community as well as interacting with multiple American and Turkish businesses.

Vural Cengiz - Vice President

Mr. Cengiz has a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Finance from Ankara University’s School of Political Sciences (SBF). In addition, he has a Master of Arts degree in Economics and MBA from State University of West Georgia. He was a teacher in the faculty of Ankara University and Cukurova University from 1980 to 1986.

Since 1986, Mr. Cengiz has been in the United States and served Turkish-American community in several organizations. He helped 130 Bosnian families to settle in Atlanta area working together with World Relief and International Rescue Committee.

Mr. Cengiz received Volunteer of The Year awards from IRC and Save the Children. He was the president of Georgia Turkish American Cultural Association between 1994 and 1996.

Mr. Cengiz received High Service Award of TACA in 1998, and on the national level he has been serving as a volunteer in the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) since 1996. Starting as a treasurer, he was elected as vice president, president-elect, and finally president in the Southeastern region.

He received the Meritorious Service Award of ATAA in 1996, and Distinguished Service Award of ATAA in 1998. Cengiz is currently residing in Florida and has a business for Real Estate and Securities Investments, besides financing and environment consulting.

ERKAN NUR, Treasurer

Eric Erkan Nur has been serving Southeast Florida business community and residents more than 18 years. In addition to his extensive experience in selling, renting and managing commercial and residential real estate, he received licenses practically in every aspect of real estate business. He also holds Masters degrees in Business Administration (MBA) and Computer Science (MCS):

* Broker and President of Nur Realty, LLC.
* Licensed Real Estate Salesman since 1989.
* Licensed Real Estate Broker-Salesman since 1992.
* Licensed Mortgage Broker since 1992.
* Licensed and Registered Real Estate Appraiser (1993-2001).
* Licensed Real Estate Instructor (1991-1999)
* Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from ODTU (METU), Ankara, Turkey, 1980.
* Masters degree in Computer Science from FAU, Boca Raton, Florida, USA, in 1988.
* Masters degree in Business Administration from NYIT, New York, NY, USA, in 1995.
* Successfully completed Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce Leadership Boca 2002 program.

Eric Erkan Nur is a member of the following associations:

* Better Business Bureau.
* Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce.
* Palm Beach County Association of Realtors.
* Florida Association of Realtors.
* National Association of Realtors.
* Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
* International Business Council.
* Turkish American Chamber of Commerce
* Florida Turkish American Association ( President )

MELTEM BIRKEGREN, Secretary

Born in Izmir, Turkey, Meltem (Yasaroglu) Birkegren graduated from T.E.D. Ankara Koleji in 1969. She studied at the Academy of Economical & Commercial Sciences in Ankara (AITIA), majoring in Foreign Trade. After graduation in 1973, she joined Ericsson Türk Ticaret, Ltd as Assistant Trade Director, and eventually became the Trade Director. She remained in that position until May 1985 when she got married and moved to Sweden, where she was rehired by Ericsson to work at their headquarters. After two years in Stockholm, she moved to Nassau, Bahamas with her husband where she stayed until August 1988 when she moved to Ft.Lauderdale, Florida in the U.S.A. where she still resides.

She started her own Export company in 1989, and has been in the same business ever since. Her company exports heavy duty machinery parts, especially for ships engines, as well as equipment and parts for larger hotels. She also provides Turkish interpreter services, and she is a partner at Europe House, Inc.

In 2000 she was appointed Chairperson for Turkey at the Greater Ft.Lauderdale Sister Cities International (GFLSCI). Ft.Lauderdale’s sister city in Turkey is Mu?la Province.

She’s the owner & moderator of several Yahoo groups, including SFLTURKS which, with over 500 members, serves as a communication medium between the Turkish community living within the tri-county area of South Florida. She also designed and manages several websites, including "Turkish Digest" and “We are the Turks".

Meltem was awarded Daughters of Ataturk Woman of Distinction award in 2001, got a recognition in 2003, and Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.

Meltem speaks Turkish, English, Swedish, Danish and Italian.