Arthur H Hertz

Hertz, CEO of Wometco Enterprises Inc., heir to the legendary Mitchell Wolfson, and enemy of those who have long protested the captivity of Miami Seaquarium's Lolita, is dead. Hertz, who died Wednesday at the age of 83, graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree from the University of Miami in 1955. He was also a member of Iron Arrow, the highest honor a UM graduate can earn, and a certified public accountant. Hertz served in many public capacities: as CEO of the Mitchell Wolfson Sr. Foundation; president of the Orange Bowl Committee; chairman of Visit Florida, the state's recently disputed tourism authority; and chairman of the City of Miami Off-Street Parking Authority. Hertz, though, is most commonly thought of as the CEO of Wometco Enterprises, which owns and operates Miami Seaquarium. The company was founded by Wolfson. In 1983, at the age of 49, Hertz was promoted to Wometco chief operating officer after Wolfson's death.