The BID Staff

Kristell Hurtado stands out as an accomplished marketing strategist, particularly in the realms of food and alcoholic beverages. With a consistently strong client orientation throughout her career, she excels at creating and deploying marketing initiatives that have an immediate impact on market share and is skilled at managing complex projects, and specializes in creatively solving challenges for stakeholders at all levels across the business community.  Her deep-seated interests include digital marketing, communications, PR, social media, content generation, and staying abreast of market trends.

A Venezuela native, Kristell made her way to Miami in 2017, settling in Coconut Grove. She is multilingual, fluent in Spanish, English, French, Italian, and Portuguese, and possesses a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s degree in marketing.

Before transitioning to an independent consultant role in 2022, Kristell’s career trajectory includes significant roles. She functioned as a brand manager at Bakerly in Miami, took on the role of Channel Coordinator at Somos TV in Miami, and held several positions in marketing and brand management in Venezuela. Starting in October 2022, she began her engagement with the BID, focusing on social media services, producing the “Grovite” weekly newsletter, and orchestrating cross-promotional activities for local businesses, including promotions and community events.

Venusmia “Venus” Fernandez Lovely serves multiple roles at the Coconut Grove Business Improvement District (CGBID), primarily Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director, Office Manager, and supervisor to the Accounting department. Venus’ all-encompassing position at the CGBID sees her at the helm of solutions to the varied challenges that come weekly from the district’s efforts to bolster the businesses they affect daily, and the community they want to sustainably grow.

Venus is a seasoned and multifaceted professional with over 15 years of experience in leadership roles and developing programs for community engagement. In addition to working at the CGBID, she is also the co-founder of The Lovely Group, a consulting agency that works with multiple organizations such as the Football is Freedom Initiative, Florida Rising, and the Coconut Grove Art & Historical Association. Previously, Venus was the Miami-Dade Ambassador for the Arts and the Chief of Staff to both Senator Dwight Bullard and Annette Taddeo.

Born in Brooklyn, but raised in Miami, Venus is the daughter of the former New York Dominican Consul General, Francisco Fernandez. Her passion for civic engagement and the arts has seen her at the helm of various programs to improve communities throughout South Florida. She serves as the President of the South Dade Democratic Black Caucus and previously held the title of Vice President of the Reggae Girlz Foundation, Inc.

Alexander Barcenas, Operations Manager for the Coconut Grove Business Improvement District (BID), brings a dynamic blend of leadership, expertise, and a proven track record across multiple industries. Since joining the BID in November 2024, Alexander has spearheaded procurement and project coordination, overseeing key initiatives in security, sanitation, and urban improvements. He collaborates closely with consultants, engineers, and contractors to navigate city permits and zoning, ensuring seamless execution of vital projects.

Before joining the BID, Alexander excelled as an Operations Supervisor at Ryder, where he managed a team of over 40 employees. His logistics expertise was honed as a Dispatch Coordinator, overseeing deliveries to more than 90 retail locations. Additionally, his experience as a project manager in commercial construction demonstrates his ability to lead complex projects from budgeting through completion.

Alexander’s versatility extends to hospitality, where he led a retail team with Nestlé. A veteran of the U.S. Army National Guard, Alexander developed exceptional leadership and team-building skills that continue to define his professional approach. He holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from FIU. 

Bill Kress oversees the BID’s Business Communications & Editorial Services as an independent specialist. He is a seasoned communicator who taps from a deep reserve of skills in journalism, photography, digital communications, and creating long-form content to support multiple corporate, civic, and nonprofit clients across South Florida. He is also a contract reporter/editor with local print and online publications chain. Prior to launching Kress Communications in 2016, Bill served as communications manager/PIO for the Village of Palmetto Bay after serving more than 20 years in corporate communications management with the airline industry and hospitality.

With offices in Coconut Grove and Pompano Beach, Bill maintains strong ties with the local news media, business leaders, community figures, and municipal officials – as well as close relationships with PR peers and collaborators throughout Miami-Dade County. Also worthy of note: The Minority Chamber of Commerce named Kress Communications Best PR Firm of the Year 2016.

A native of Rochester, N.Y., Bill earned his BA in English/Journalism from the State University of New York; and holds a Certificate in Spanish Language from Miami Dade College (2013).