PB Film

John Oxendine

Alternate

Mr. Oxendine is a seasoned entrepreneur, operator, investor, and lender with over 30 years of experience in the communications industry. He has led all aspects of investment and portfolio management, including due diligence, structuring, negotiation, and strategic exits across the companies he has founded, managed, or advised. He currently serves as Chairman, President, and CEO of Blackstar Management, LLC and Blackstar Media L.P., which provide consulting and management services to communications firms. Previously, he was interim CEO and board member of Equity Media Holdings Corporation, a publicly held media company. In 1987, Mr. Oxendine founded Blackstar Communications, Inc., which acquired and operated five U.S. television stations. The company, launched with $100,000 in equity and $5 million in preferred capital, eventually sold its assets for $96 million, delivering strong returns to investors including Fox Television and Home Shopping Network.

From 1981 to 1995, Mr. Oxendine was President and Chairman of Broadcap Capital, Inc. and its parent, Broadcast Capital Fund, Inc., which supported minority-owned media ventures. Under his leadership, these firms invested $17 million across 47 companies, leveraging nearly $80 million in total capitalization and helping seed several significant Hispanic-owned media businesses. He has also served on the boards of Paxson Communications Corporation and Lockhart Companies Incorporated, and previously served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1967 to 1973. Mr. Oxendine holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.A. from Hunter College. He has authored articles on venture capital and media investing in several respected journals and maintains a working knowledge of Spanish and French. He currently resides in Boca Raton, Florida.

Denise-Marie Nieman

Chair

Denise-Marie Nieman joined the Palm Beach County Attorney’s Office after her graduation from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law in 1986 and stayed there in continuous public service until her retirement in October 2021, ending a 35-year run with the last 25 years serving as the County Attorney. One of her earlier assignments was representing the Film & Television Commission, so she has been a fan of the mission for a long time. Ms. Nieman is on the Board of Governors as a trustee of the St. Mary’s Medical Center and previously was a member of the Board of Directors of SunFest of Palm Beach County, Inc., serving as president in 2010. She’s also a certified pageant judge through the Miss America Organization. Ms. Nieman has enjoyed many competitions in that capacity, playing a role in providing scholarships to many amazing women over the years. Ms. Nieman is an officer in the France Florida Foundation of the Arts, having served as a member of its Board of Directors since 2013. She’s a member of the French Heritage Society, La Société des Filles du Roi et Soldats du Carignan, Inc., and The American-French Genealogical Society. Ms. Nieman was also inducted as an Ambassadeur of the République de Montmartre and is a member of the Paris American Club NYC. Her passion is writing and all forms of creative expression, which includes supporting a variety of cultural and arts organizations. Ms. Nieman is a member of the Palm Beach County Cultural Council, Société des Amis de Versailles, and l’Arop—Les amis de l’Opéra. Ms. Nieman is the author of Christmas Party Celebrations (1997) and Rock the World Rehab: a 4-step get red carpet ready detox adventure (2012), which became an Amazon #1 bestseller.  She currently shares inspiration on social media @Glitter.the.Globe and has a few books and projects in the works. Ms. Nieman’s faith is very important to her. She’s an active parishioner of St. Edward Catholic Church, serving as a Eucharistic Minister and doing charitable works through the church’s guild. She’s also a Dame in the Order of Malta, and through that association, regularly feeds the homeless at St Ann Place and co-chairs a rosary ministry. Ms. Nieman splits her time between Paris and Jupiter, enjoying life with her husband, Joe, and their three dogs Félix, Cocoa and Oscar.

Penelope Douglas

Alternate

Ms. Douglas has worked in Television Production Management for more than 20 years. She is a multi-award-winning Producer and Executive Producer. In 2014 she helped launch the Newsmax TV national cable channel, and in 2018 she helped launch the South Florida PBS Health Channel, where she still serves as the Director of Content & Acquisitions. In addition, she was a consultant to the PBC Film & Television Commission’s The Palm Beaches TV Channel. Penelope has served on the Board of Directors from 2010-2022 and re-joined in 2024.

Carol Roberts

Past Chair

Carol A. Roberts attended Palm Beach Community College, University of Miami and Tufts University. Over the years, Ms. Roberts has held several official positions in Palm Beach County, including: West Palm Beach City Commissioner; Mayor of West Palm Beach; Palm Beach County Commissioner; Member of the Solid Waste Authority; Chair and Member of Tri-Rail Board; Board Member and Development Director Palm Beach Photographic Center; City of West Palm Beach Budget Committee; Chair of National Association of Counties Transportation Committee; Chair of the City of West Palm Beach Transportation Committee; member of the City of West Palm Beach Comprehensive Plan Review Board; member of the West Palm Beach Cultural Committee; and member and Chair of the Palm Beach Health Care District. Ms. Roberts was married to Hyman J. Roberts for 59 years and is mother to six children and has eleven grandchildren.

Robert Sanders

Vice Chair

Bob Sanders is a distinguished fundraiser, legal mind, and civic leader whose impact on West Palm Beach spans more than four decades. Raised in a Philadelphia orphanage until age 8, Sanders developed a deep appreciation for hard work, starting his journey in a warehouse before pursuing higher education. He graduated from Temple University with degrees in accounting and law, later clerking for Federal District Court Judge John W. Lord, Jr. His legal career led him to become a name partner at a Philadelphia law firm and eventually Vice President, General Counsel, and later President of the Goodman Company—where he helped lead major developments like the Phillips Point twin towers and the Esplanade in Palm Beach. After relocating to Florida in 1982, Sanders quickly became a trusted political advisor and key figure in West Palm Beach’s transformation. At the request of Mayor Nancy Graham, he came out of retirement to serve as Deputy City Attorney, overseeing city transactions and vital economic development projects. He played an instrumental role in negotiating and advising on the creation of the Convention Center, the redevelopment of the West Palm Beach Auditorium and stadium site, and the landmark CityPlace project, a $750 million downtown revitalization effort. Sanders also served as President of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches and Chairman of the Downtown Development Authority. His contributions go well beyond economic growth—he has passionately supported causes like the West Palm Beach Library Foundation, the Adam Walsh Children’s Fund, Cities in Schools, the Epilepsy Foundation of Eastern Florida, and the Palm Beach International Film Festival. In recognition of his service, the City of West Palm Beach declared August 22, 2023, as “Robert Sanders Day,” and in 2024, he received the prestigious SunFest Legacy Award for 40 years of continuous volunteer service and dedication to the community.

James L. Bearden, Esq.

Secretary

James L. Bearden has more than 20 years’ experience in corporate, communications and entertainment law. Currently, Mr. Bearden is the Managing Partner of the CBR Law Group, LLLP in Boca Raton, Florida.  Mr. Bearden's current practice emphasizes the representation of individuals, corporate and business entities involved in the entertainment industry. Mr. Bearden has extensive experience in the negotiation, preparation and administration of a wide range of contracts involving music/television/film production and distribution companies, artist and entertainers, publishing, Internet companies, radio networks, boxing promotions, concert and sporting event sites and venues. Transactions in which Mr. Bearden has participated include corporate mergers and acquisitions, real estate development, civil litigation, the representation of radio and television stations, cable and broadband systems.  Also, Mr. Bearden has held the positions of Associate General Counsel at Don King Productions, Inc. in Deerfield Beach, Florida, of counsel at the law firm of Akerman, Senterfitt & Eidson in Miami, Florida and of counsel at The Thomas Law Group, PA, in Boca Raton, Florida. He is a graduate of the University of Detroit and of the Howard University School of Law. At the University of Detroit, Mr. Bearden majored in radio, television & film production. Mr. Bearden holds memberships in the Federal Communications Bar, the Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association, and is also an agent/signatory of the Writers Guild of America, East and West. Mr. Bearden is admitted to practice law in the State of Florida, the District of Columbia, before the US District Court for the District of Columbia, the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, and the US District Court for the District of Maryland. 

Douglas Rill

Treasurer

Douglas Rill is the Owner, Founder and Broker for "CENTURY 21 America's Choice," a full-service real estate company since 1994. He has over 40 Years of experience in all facets of the real estate industry. In 1997, he acquired the "CENTURY 21 Academy of Learning," Real Estate School, operating over 20 years. Douglas began giving real estate advice on Public Radio in 1978, then in 1979, the show was moved to WJNO, where it became the longest running real estate show, ending in 2010.  In 1985, Douglas became the Executive Producer of the video magazine, "House Detective," which aired on WPEC TV-12, for five consecutive years. Douglas has served on several Boards, including The Palm Beach International Film Festival and as President of CENTURY 21 Treasure/Palm Beach Council. Mr. Rill holds a BBA from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton and a Realtor Emeritus designation from the National Association of Realtors. Douglas currently lives in Palm Beach with his wife, Angela Murray, former radio news anchor in Miami and West Palm Beach.