By Eman Elshahawy – Digital Producer/Reporter, South Florida Business Journal
Jul 18, 2025
Story Highlights
- Richard DeNapoli appointed president of Coral Gables Trust Company.
- Eileen Santana and Ivan Shegota promoted to C-suite positions.
- Leadership changes are part of ongoing succession planning.
A Coral Gables-based wealth management firm and trust company has named a new
president and a pair of C-suite executives.
Coral Gables Trust Co. appointed Richard DeNapoli while retaining his position as chief
fiduciary officer. DeNapoli, who previously served as managing director, chief trust
officer and chief fiduciary officer, brings more than 22 years of experience in law and
trust services. He joined Coral Gables Trust over a decade ago following roles at
Northern Trust and in private legal practice. DeNapoli also currently serves as a town
commissioner in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea.
The firm also promoted two longtime executives to C-suite and managing director roles
within its senior client advisory team.
Eileen Santana, was named managing director, chief trust officer, while continuing to
serve as manager of trust operations. A nearly 20-year veteran of Coral Gables Trust and
its longest-serving employee, Santana brings more than 27 years of industry experience.
She previously worked in the international trust department at Northern Trust Bank of
Florida before joining the firm.
Ivan Shegota was appointed managing director, chief estate services officer, while continuing in his role as senior wealth adviser. With 26 years of experience in estate settlement and trust administration, Shegota has held prior roles at Citigroup, Merrill Lynch Trust Co. and Wachovia. He has been with Coral Gables Trust for the past 13 years.
Donald A. Kress will continue in his role as chief executive officer. A company spokesperson said the leadership moves are part of its ongoing succession planning.
Kress succeeded Coral Gable Trust’s former longtime CEO James Davidson, who announced his retirement in June 2023.
Last year, the company announced that former Vice Chairman William D. Pruitt would replace Allan Pekor as chairman, who passed away in January 2024 at the age of 87.
Pekor was appointed chairman of Coral Gables Trust in October 2023. The financial veteran retired in 2007 from his role as CFO of Lennar Corp. after serving the Miami- based homebuilder (NYSE: LEN) for 29 years in several top executive positions.
South Florida Business Journal
South Florida Business Journal is a newspaper printed in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for the Miami, Florida area, covering general business news, major events in Miami, Florida, and around the world, with sections on global news and local news, business news and political news, Florida cultural life and newspaper classified ads.
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