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New York investment group buys thousands of acres in St. Johns PAGE 5
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Council OKs San Marco apartments
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Debate over height of building could lead to a legal challenge.
Martin Coffee Co. President Ben Johnson, JACKSONVILLE the JAX Chamber’s Overall Small Business Leader of the Year, says adapting to industry changes led his company to 20% growth.
Record & Observer BY MIKE MENDENHALL STAFF WRITER
City Council approved plans Feb. 25 to redevelop a section of South Jacksonville Presbyterian Church property into the Park Place at San Marco apartments. But some San Marco residents intend to challenge the rezoning and land use changes in court. San Marco-based Corner Lot Development Group, led by Andy Allen, and Birmingham, Alabamabased Harbert Realty Services want to develop the 2.87-acre project at 2137 Hendricks Ave. on property owned by South Jacksonville Presbyterian Church Inc. The project’s height and density brought out neighborhood residents both for and against. By averaging the proposed 49½-foot-tall apartment building and 26.8-foot-tall garage, City Director of Planning and Development Bill Killingsworth told Council it would comply with the zoning code. Opponents said that because the weighted average calculation was proposed by the developer and not written in the overlay, it should not be allowed. Council voted 18-1 and 17-1 on bills to allow the development. Voting no was longtime San Marco resident and Group 4 At-Large Council member Matt Carlucci. “The overlay is like a compact with the people of San Marco to be followed,” he said. “And 35 feet means 35 feet.” Right Size San Marco member Jon Livingston called the land use amendment “illegal” and said some members intend to mount a legal challenge.
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Record & Observer M BY KATIE GARWOOD STAFF WRITER
artin Coffee Co. isn’t the same business today that it was when it started in 1957. The coffee industry changes quickly and often, said Martin Coffee Co. President Ben Johnson. And if the company hadn’t continued to adjust to the market, it probably wouldn’t exist. “A lot of people in our industry in the same kind of business model have all gone out of business or they’ve changed ownership hands,” Johnson said. “But it’s because they didn’t make changes in the business model. We were able to kind of adapt with the industry because the business today isn’t at all the business that it was 10 years ago.” The company’s adaptability led to 20% growth over the past three years and to Johnson being recognized as the JAX Chamber’s Overall Small Business Leader of the Year. Martin Coffee was started by Johnson’s grandfather in 1957. It began by selling and roasting coffee for businesses throughout the region. Johnson started with the company 22 years ago as a delivery driver and since has held every position in the company.
SEE JOHNSON, PAGE 11
Photo by Katie Garwood
Martin Coffee Co. President Ben Johnson stands in the company’s warehouse at 1633 Marshall St. off Talleyrand Avenue. Martin said he orders coffee beans 40,000 pounds at a time.
Mendenhall Report: JTA to seek bids to build, run U2C PAGE 3 Basch Report: Future of Maxwell House remains uncertain PAGE 8 Former home of Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist is for sale PAGE 10
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THE MATHIS REPORT
Conversion of closed Kmart on San Jose takes a step Sun Ray Cinema is a planned tenant. PAGE 4 VOLUME 2, NO. 39 • ONE SECTION
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WHAT’S TRENDING
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020
Big news doesn’t break just on Thursday. Here’s a look at some of the top stories published over the past week online at JaxDailyRecord.com and in the Jacksonville Daily Record that you may have missed.
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Center is planned to open in late 2020.
RH to open at St. Johns Town Center RH Jacksonville, The Gallery at St. Johns Town Center, will open in late 2020, mall owner Simon Property Group announced Feb. 25. The three-story store will offer 50,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space and offer luxury home furnishings, lighting, textiles, decor and more. The RH will feature a signature glass-covered Rooftop Restaurant and
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a Barista & Wine Bar that will open to a landscaped park. Floors will be dedicated to RH Interiors, Modern and Outdoor. RH Interior Design Firm & Atelier also will be in the store. RH is part of St. Johns Town Center’s fourth phase at the southeast corner of the center. RH changed its name from Restoration Hardware in 2017.
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ShareMD acquires the Eight Forty One tower sale Feb. 21. It said the 841 Prudential Drive property is 80% occupied. ShareMD developed a co-working medical suite concept in Southern California and plans to introduce the concept to Florida.
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COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE Atlanta-based ShareMD, a medical office building owner and operator, paid $67 million for Eight Forty One, the Southbank office tower anchored by One Call and Baptist Health. Miami-based Easton & Associates, representing the buyer, announced the
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Spandrel bid selected for The Ford on Bay The Downtown Investment Authority on Feb. 21 unanimously approved a $136 million bid by New York-based Spandrel Development Partners LLC to build a mixed-use retail and multifamily development at The Ford on Bay. The developer proposes a two-phase project with 520 apartments and up to 74,000 square feet of retail space at the former Duval County Courthouse and City Hall sites at 220 and 330 E. Bay St. Downtown.
The DIA will work on a development agreement with Spandrel. It is being crafted to work around the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront’s first right of refusal for the parcel at 220 E. Bay St. north of the hotel. The DIA does not have an agreement with Hyatt for the property. A development agreement with Spandrel could go before the DIA in April.
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020
JTA planning to seek bids to build, run U2C
Phase I of the the autonomous vehicle program is expected to be completed by 2025.
Phase I of the U2C is a 3-mile, ground-level loop for automated vehicles along Bay Street from the Skyway’s Downtown Central Station to TIAA Bank Field.
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority is looking to the private sector to build and run its Ultimate Urban Circulator autonomous vehicle program — the U2C. The public transportation system, which features driverless, low-speed electric vehicles, could eventually replace the Skyway. JTA CEO Nathaniel Ford said Feb. 24 the authority plans to issue a request for proposals for the project JTA officials estimate will cost $350 to $400 million. Ford said JTA would likely offer a 30-year contract for operating and maintaining the U2C, and the authority hopes to have bid proposals to the board by February 2021. The winning bidder would be repaid over a 30-year period. JTA hosted an industry forum Feb. 19 to get private sector feedback on the U2C
and to begin networking for the proposed public-private partnership. U.S. and international industry experts participated in panel discussions and forums on policy, procurement, infrastructure, autonomous vehicle technology and transit-oriented development. According to JTA Communications Manager David Cawton, sessions focused on engineering, the Internet of Things, Skyway infrastructure and procurement. “The response and international attention this forum received is a testament to the attention to detail and momentum the JTA is building for the U2C,” Ford said in a written statement. “This program will not only complement the JTA’s vast transit network, but also sends a message to the
Jacksonville Transportation Authority
entire world that Jacksonville is the place to be for innovation.” In his Feb. 24 interview, Ford said bringing together a consortium of private sector businesses could be the best strategy to secure a lender for the U2C build-out and operation. “That would be a very immense lift for us as the JTA,” Ford said. “Our challenge is going to be identifying that funding stream.” Ford said a public-private partnership will allow the U2C to be built sooner. “The public-private partnership gives us the ability to share some of that risk in terms of the development of the technology, share some of the risk in terms of the future and what may happen in terms of the development of the project and technological changes,” Ford said.
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The concept for the U2C was idle for years before Ford took over as CEO in 2012. Phase I, expected to be completed by 2025, is fully funded. JTA will spend $44 million to build a 3-mile, ground-level loop for the automated vehicles along Bay Street from the Skyway’s Downtown Central Station at Julia Street to TIAA Bank Field — part of the proposed Bay Street Innovation Corridor. The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the JTA and the city grants totaling $25 million for the project. Phase II will convert the existing Skyway track into an elevated roadway for autonomous vehicles. Cawton said the .9-mile autonomous track under development will be a “proof on concept” for the U2C.
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It will connect the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center in LaVilla and the Skyway’s Jefferson Station to test and troubleshoot converting the elevated tracks for the U2C. Phase III will complete the 10-mile autonomous vehicle network into neighborhoods surrounding Downtown — north to Springfield and UF Health Jacksonville and south to Brooklyn/Riverside and San Marco. One funding source JTA sees to finance the U2C is its surplus real estate. JTA is marketing surplus properties to developers for mixed-use projects that will connect to public transportation and facilitate a walkable community. The JTA board approved an option agreement Jan. 28 with Corner Lot Development Group and Chance Properties LLC for a proposed residential and retail development on the Downtown Southbank. The agreement would include a long-term lease for 3.8 undeveloped acres along Montana Avenue near the Kings Avenue Transit Station. JTA has five other properties it is offering, and Ford said the authority is looking at additional real estate holdings that could be used to repay loans associated with the U2C, either through long-term leases or property sales.
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JACKSONVILLE DAILY RECORD / J ACKSONVILLE RECORD & OBSERVER
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020
JaxDailyRecord.com
KAREN BRUNE MATHIS EDITOR
Ash Properties plans to renovate the building for a mix of tenants, including Sun-Ray Cinema. The city issued a mobility fee calculation certificate Jan. 28 for conversion of the closed Kmart at 9600 San Jose Blvd. into a multitenant retail building. The city calculated no fee for the 110,686-square-foot project on 11.66 acres because it formerly was a Kmart store that generated traffic. Plans show five units of 11,450 to 30,905 square feet. They also indicate a future 7,380-square-foot building. Baker Design Build is the civil engineer. Property owner Ash Properties said in October that it intends to renovate the building at 9600 San Jose Blvd. for several large and possibly a few smaller tenants. Sun-Ray Cinema, an independent two-screen theater
File image
An artist’s rendering of the renovated Kmart building at 9600 San Jose Blvd. Ash Properties acquired the property in 2015.
in Five Points, announced Sept. 28 on its Facebook page it would expand with a fivescreen theater in the Mandarin building. Kmart opened there 41 years ago and closed in 2016 but continued to lease the property until parent company Sears Holdings Corp. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in October 2018. Through Atlantic Mini-Storage of America Inc., Ash Properties paid almost $4.39 million for the property Dec. 1, 2015.
Darifair Foods wants to innovate at Flagler Center
More details are emerging about the proposed Darifair Foods LLC project in Flagler Center. Stellar, the contractor, applied to the city for a development number so that it can submit plans for review for the “Darifair Innovation Center.”
DUVAL RETAIL NOTES Family Dollar to Westside, Southside: JEA issued a service availability letter for a proposed 9,200-square-foot retail store at 4155 Highway Ave. The developer is Twin Rivers Capital, which develops locations for Family Dollar Stores Inc. Family Dollar intends to expand its store at 5935 University Blvd. W. in Santa Monica Center. No contractor is listed for the $175,000 project for 10,258 square feet of space. A site plan for the center on landlord Sleiman’s website shows Family Dollar now occupies 7,003 square feet of space adjacent to a vacant space of more than 3,000 square feet. CVS in North Jacksonville: The city issued a permit for Diamond
Stellar describes the project as a 47,505-square-foot office along Gran Bay Parkway in the Southside business park. Darifair.com says Darifair Foods focuses on creating culinary and food science-focused innovations for restaurants and food manufacturers. According to Bloomberg. com, Darifair Foods produces and supplies dairy products such as creams, cottage cheese, yogurt, fluid creamers, milk, ice creams, yogurt smoothies, sauces and other dairy products to clients in the U.S. Darifair is based in Mandarin at 4131 Sunbeam Road, a 13,500-square-foot office building. Darifair paid $2.1 million Jan. 23 for about 5 acres at northeast Gran Bay Parkway and Flagler Center Boulevard. JEA issued a utility service availability letter Jan. 28 for Darifair to develop a 46,000-square-foot warehouse-industrial building on
Contractors Inc. to renovate the CVS Pharmacy at 50 Duval Station Road at a cost of $225,000.
Heartland Dental renovating closed bank in Town Center Heartland Dental is converting a closed Regions Bank building in front of St. John’s Town Center North at a cost of almost $580,000. The city issued a permit Feb. 20 for the 3,830-square-foot project at 4569 Town Center Parkway. The contractor is Stultz Inc. of Fort Myers. The city also is reviewing a permit application for Heartland Dental at 8324 Merchants Way in OakLeaf Station.
Co. Inc. is the developer of the 70-acre mixed-use Durbin Creek Crossing.
Discount Tire to Durbin Park: St. Johns County approved a permit for construction of a 10,904-square-foot Discount Tire at 390 Durbin Pavilion Drive in The Pavilion at Durbin Park at a cost of $2.16 million.
Bartram Market retailers: JEA issued a service availability letter for Aspen Dental at 200 Bartram Market Drive in Bartram Market. Knoebel Construction Inc. is the agent. JEA also issued a service availability letter for a 7,381-square-foot AutoZone store in Bartram Market. Nevin Engineering Services Inc. is the civil engineer.
Tire Kingdom at Race Track Road: The St. Johns River Water Management District and St. Johns County are reviewing an application for a 6,120-square-foot Tire Kingdom on a 1.35-acre outparcel at Durbin Creek Crossing at Race Track Road and St. Johns Parkway. England-Thims & Miller Inc. is the civil engineer. The Ferber
Goodwill at Parkway Place: St. Johns County and the St. Johns River Water Management District are reviewing an application for a 16,100-squarefoot Goodwill store at 1195 St. Johns Parkway on 7.4 acres at southeast St. Johns Parkway and Race Track Road. It is part of the second phase of Parkway Place. Piedmont Companies
ST. JOHNS RETAIL NOTES
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First Watch to OakLeaf Crossing The city issued a permit Feb. 19 for First Watch to build-out a 3,656-square-foot restaurant at 9680 Argyle Forest Blvd., No. 1, in OakLeaf Crossing in Southwest Jacksonville. Venture Construction Co. is the contractor for the $574,067 project. Plans show a restaurant with 114 inside seats and 32 on the patio. It is replacing Gator’s Dockside, which has a nearby freestanding building. The OakLeaf First Watch will include a partial bar and serve crafted brunch cocktails. KMATHIS@ JAXDAILYRECORD.COM @MATHISKB (904) 356-2466
Inc. of Lincolnton, North Carolina, is the developer. Kimley-Horn and Associates Inc. is the civil engineer. Thrive Infusions to The Pavilion: St. Johns County issued a permit for build-out for Thrive Infusions at 550 Durbin Pavilion Drive, Suite 104, in The Pavilion at Durbin Park. The build-out cost is $361,090 for the 1,785-squarefoot space. Thrive provides IV hydration treatments and vitamin infusions. Tidal Wave to St. Augustine: St. Johns County is reviewing plans for the 3,600-square-foot Tidal Wave Auto Spa on 1.07 acres at 2789 Kenton Morrison Road in St. Augustine. Olson Land Partners LLC is the representative for the project, which is an automated car wash.
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THE MATHIS REPORT
Conversion of closed San Jose Kmart takes step
JACKSONVILLE DAILY RECORD / JACKSONVILLE RECORD & OBSERVER
JaxDailyRecord.com
SCOTT SAILER STAFF WRITER
Ruane, Cunniff & Goldfarb, the company that manages the Sequoia Fund, started buying the timberland in 2017. A New York real estate investment group has quietly purchased more than 31,000 acres of timberland in St. Johns County, one of the fastestgrowing counties in the country according to the latest population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. Managing broker-dealer Ruane, Cunniff & Goldfarb LLC, an investment adviser known for managing the Sequoia Fund, bought the property since the end of 2017. The property stretches from U.S. 1 west to County Road 13A South, and from County Road 214 south to the Flagler County line. The fund and adviser have not returned calls or emails for comment. Melissa Glasgow, St. Johns County director of economic development, said if a New York investment group is buying land, “they must see the long-term viability and potential for a return on investment.” “This attention and investment certainly doesn’t hurt us, and the awareness of our area could lead to several types of projects, both large and small, in the foreseeable future,” she said. A patient, long-term investor might want to buy timberland at a relatively low cost now and hold onto it until demand grows for housing and commercial development in future years. It then could sell it for more. Ruane, Cunniff & Goldfarb says on ruanecunniff.com that it is an investment adviser that runs separately managed accounts using strategies similar to that of the Sequoia Fund. The Sequoia Fund is a long-term equity strategy mutual fund founded in 1970 that focuses on the purchase of undervalued mid- and large-capitalization companies with growth
potential. Ruane, Cunniff & Goldfarb’s latest St. Johns County purchase was 3,250.67 acres, mostly west of Interstate 95 and Florida 206, from Cumberland Street LLC and KG Development LLC in January. They paid $23.25 million, or $7,152 per acre. Both LLC’s were managed by Michael Braren of Ponte Vedra Beach. They paid $23.24 million for that land, $27,152.37 per acre. The investment fund sponsor paid more than $129.91 million, averaging $3,889.80 an acre, for the 31,123.47 acres. It bought the land under several names: First Coast Land and Timber LLC, First Coast Elkton LLC, West Saint Augustine Land and Timber LLC, First Coast Osceola Lakes LLC, First Coast Land and Timber GS 1 LLC, First Coast Land and Timber GS 2 LLC, First Coast FSC Land and Timber LLC and Saint Augustine 206 Interchange LLC. St. Johns County property appraiser records indicate most of the ownership is based at 9 W. 57th St. Suite 5000, New York City, the same address as Ruane, Cunniff & Goldfarb LLC. It bought the land from Rayonier Atlantic Timber Co., Raydient LLC, Rayonier Forest Resources L.P., Rayonier Timber Co. No. 1 Inc., BBC Elkton LLC, Robinson Improvement Co., Osceola Lakes LLC, Toccoli Land Co. LLC, Meldrim Heritage Timberlands LLC, Parrish Family Trust, Cumberland Street LLC and KG Development LLC. Alejandro Barbero, director of strategic development & communications for Rayonier, said in November he was unaware of the buyers intentions for the property. The sale originated from an unsolicited offer. Land purchases have been made through the use of timber consultants and a principal with a mailing address at a mailbox rental. Most of the property has a designated land use of rural silviculture and agricultural. More intensive development would require applications to the county for land use and zoning changes. Glasgow said she was “not aware of any intentions or future plans for the property that was acquired. Nor am I aware of any formal development applications that have been filed with the county.” Michael Roberson, St. Johns County interim director of growth management, said he has not discussed development plans for the property.
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020
THE PROPERTY Ruane, Cunniff & Goldfarb LLC, an investment adviser known for managing the Sequoia Fund, has purchased more than 31,000 acres of St. Johns County timberland from U.S. 1 west to County Road 13A South, and from County Road 214 south to the Flagler County line.
ST. AUGUSTINE
THE SAILRE REPORT
New York group buys more than 31,000 acres of land in St. Johns
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COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
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JACKSONVILLE DAILY RECORD / J ACKSONVILLE RECORD & OBSERVER
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020
JaxDailyRecord.com
Top commercial sales of the week BY SCOTT SAILER • STAFF WRITER
Here are the top 10 commercial real estate sales in Northeast Florida, comprising Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties. The sales were recorded Feb. 17-23.
File image
Ocean Blue apartments at 2701 Mayport Road sold for $31.75 million.
DUVAL
DUVAL
ST. JOHNS
DUVAL
ST. JOHNS
$31,750,000
$12,450,000
$8,338,817
$8,000,000
$6,864,500
2701 Mayport Road, Jacksonville
8226 Philips Highway, Jacksonville
8301 Cypress Plaza Drive, Jacksonville
Silver Forest Drive, Saint Johns
Type: Ocean Blue apartments Parcel size: 15.55 acres Apartment units: 156 Buyer: EBSCO Ocean Blue LLC Seller: Ocean Blue LLC
Type: Baymeadows Business Center Parcel size: 10.57 acres Building size: 132,102 square feet Buyer: AF4 Baymeadows LLC Seller: 8226 Philips Highway LLC Previous sale: $5,600,000 in 2016
475 W. Town Place and 101 E. Town Place, World Golf Village Type: Gateway Commons and Enterprise Center offices Parcel size: 4.4 acres Building size: Two buildings totaling 77,422 square feet Buyer: Go Mind FL LLC Seller: Acorn Gateway LLC and Acorn Executive Plaza LLC
Type: Cypress Business Center Parcel size: 14.66 acres Building size: Five buildings totaling 120,682 square feet Buyer: Cypress Jack LLC Seller: WBCMT 2007-C31 Cypress Plaza Drive LLC Previous sale: $6,000,000 in 2017
Type: 74 residential lots in Silverleaf Village Parcel size: Not available Buyer: MasterCraft Builder Group LLC Seller: Land Planners Development II Inc.
ST. JOHNS
CLAY
ST. JOHNS
ST. JOHNS
DUVAL
$6,134,910
$3,700,000
$3,617,900
$3,450,000
$2,448,800
2801 N. Ponce De Leon Blvd., St. Augustine
1324 Kingsley Ave., Orange Park
120 Harvest Lane, St. Augustine
Flach Drive, Saint Johns
Liberty Square Place, Jacksonville
Type: Walgreens Parcel size: 1.63 acres Building size: 14,310 square feet Buyer: CP WSB-20 LLC Seller: Walgreen Co.
Type: Church and school campus Parcel size: 9.83 acres Building size: Five buildings totaling 59,324 square feet Buyer: PIV Kingsley LLC Seller: The Peninsular Florida District Council of the Assemblies of God Inc.
Type: Zaxby’s Chicken Fingers and Buffalo Wings Parcel size: 0.91 acres Building size: 3,845 square feet Buyer: Prime Parks Inc. Seller: NLCDS St. Augustine LLC
Type: 47 residential lots in Mill Creek Plantation North Parcel size: Not available Buyer: KB Home Jacksonville LLC Seller: Mill Creek Plantation North LLC
Type: 45 residential lots in Liberty Square Phases 1, 2B and 4 Parcel size: Not available Buyer: Liberty Square I LLC Seller: Liberty Square Jax LLC
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*Home and community information, including pricing, included features, terms, availability and amenities are subject to change and prior sale at any time without notice or obligation. See your new home consultant for details. Pictures, elevations, features, sizes and colors are approximate for illustration purposes only and will vary from the homes as built. CBC058997 ©2020 D.R. Horton, Inc. All rights reserved.
Located off Alta Drive just north of I-295 11603 Yellow Perch Road Jacksonville, FL 32226 Directions: From I-295, take exit 40, Alta Drive and proceed north approximately a half mile to community on the right.
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JACKSONVILLE DAILY RECORD / JACKSONVILLE RECORD & OBSERVER
JaxDailyRecord.com
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020
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PEOPLE ON THE MOVE Promotions, hirings and happenings for business people in Northeast Florida. Send items to ssailer@jaxdailyrecord.com Michael Bouchet was appointed chief information officer of Web. com. He was senior vice president of Cloud and Infrastructure at One Call Care Management. He will report to Bouchet CEO Sharon Rowlands and will be based in the company’s Jacksonville headquarters. Ray Fitzgerald will rejoin Crowley Maritime Group March 1 as chief operating officer, responsible to lead the Crowley executive team. Fitzgerald previously spent 13 years with Crowley, Fitzgerald most recently as vice president in commercial roles with the liner services group. Most recently he was president and chief operating officer with Wallenius Wilhelmsen Solutions and chairman of American Roll-on Roll-off Carrier.
We’ll pay up to
Claudia Kattan-Jordan, vice president, Central America, with Crowley Logistics, received the 2020 “Person of the Year” honor from the U.S. Minority Chamber of Kattan-Jordan Commerce for leadership and contributions to the logistics industry. Kattan-Jordan began her career in 1989 and manages Crowley’s supply chain in six Central American countries.
$5,000
of your client’s closing costs for purchase or refinance.
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Mark Friedlander was appointed director, corporate communications, at the Insurance Information Institute. Friedlander joined the organization in July Friedlander as a consultant. He was head of corporate communications at The Main Street America Group for 13 years.
DEVELOPMENT TODAY These are the largest commercial building permits by job cost issued Tuesday by the city of Jacksonville. INDUSTRIAL Allied Universal Corp., 14770 Old St. Augustine Road, contractor is Don Willems Builder Inc., install concrete container, $98,000. SIGNS The Reserve at St. Johns River, 5885 Edenfield Road, contractor is Taylor Sign
& Design Inc., monument sign, $10,000. Align Roofing, 17 W. 36th St., contractor is Advanced Electrical Contractors Inc., two permits for wall signs, $1,520. The Carpet Man, 1770 St. Johns Bluff Road S., contractor is Taylor Sign & Design Inc., wall sign, $1,500. Tranquille Realty, 1755 Rogero Road, contractor is Advanced Electrical Contractors Inc., ground sign, $1,000.
VYSTARCU.ORG 904-777-6000 · 1-800-445-6289 Certain restrictions and limitations apply. All loans are subject to credit approval. No Closing Costs offer available only when obtaining a VyStar Credit Union First Mortgage Loan and is not available on VA and FHA Mortgages. Available for purchase or refinance. VyStar will pay borrower closing costs up to a maximum amount of $5,000 excluding origination fee, discount points, private mortgage insurance, prepaid interest or funds to establish the member’s escrow account. If the borrower pays off the mortgage within the first 36 months, they will be required to reimburse VyStar for a portion of the closing costs paid by VyStar. Offer available for a limited time and subject to change without notice.
Compiled by Scott Sailer
BUSINESS CALENDAR To find more business events or to submit your event to the the business calendar, visit jaxdailyrecord.com/calendar. MARCH 5 NAIOP Awards: The NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Association Northeast Florida Chapter will honor retired Colliers International Senior Director Hobart Joost Jr. with the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award and BB&T/Truist Market President Debbie Buckland with its DIA Klechak Award for Downtown advocacy at its annual awards gala March 5. The event will honor excellence in the commercial real estate industry at the event at The Glass Factory at 601 Myrtle Ave. N. The reception is 6 p.m. followed by the awards presentation at 7 p.m. and then a dinner reception and celebration. Tickets are $75 for members and $95 for nonmembers and guests. Registration is due by Feb. 27. For information, visit naiopnefl.com or call (904) 730-8075.
WE’D LIKE TO REMOVE THE WORD ‘STRESS’ FROM YOUR VOCABULARY.
MARCH 6 Female Founders Forum at UNF: PS27 Ventures and Baptist Health scheduled the Female Founders Forum for 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. March 6 at the Adam W. Herbert University Center at the University of North Florida, 12000 Alumni Drive. The keynote speaker is Suneera Madhani, founder and CEO of Fattmerchant, a business payments processor. The event is targeted to women who are considering launching a company, involved in startups or leading innovation in a corporation. The cost of admission is $65 a person or $300 for a corporate table of five. Vendor booths are available for $250. For information, email Shannon@ps27ventures.com.
VyStar Title Agency* knows that closings can be tense. So, whether you’re a buyer, broker, Realtor, or lender, we’ll be there step-by-step to help make the process as fast and easy as possible. You’ll get the personal attention you deserve from the moment the file is opened until the last document is signed and delivered. So relax, and rely on VyStar Title Agency for precise, prompt, and professional service.
phone: 904-908-2874 • vystarcu.org
Joel Settembrini, Jr.
CERTIFIED STATE AND FEDERAL MEDIATOR Qualifications
• Board Certified in Business Litigation by The Florida Bar with 35+ years of litigation and trial experience at Saalfield Shad (2013-present), Smith Hulsey & Busey (1987-2013) and Office of Chief Counsel, IRS (1983-1987). • Listed in Best Lawyers in America, Florida Legal Elite and Florida Super Lawyers and rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell.
I thought you did a fantastic job. Thanks for getting this done. You have an interesting way. No drama, just sincere, direct and effective!
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JACKSONVILLE DAILY RECORD / J ACKSONVILLE RECORD & OBSERVER
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020
JaxDailyRecord.com
MARK BASCH CONTRIBUTING WRITER
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Owner Kraft Heinz takes $213 million noncash write-off on the value of the coffee brand; report suggests sale of Maxwell House is unlikely anytime soon. A year after news reports surfaced that Kraft Heinz Corp. was trying to sell Maxwell House, the future of the iconic coffee brand remains uncertain as the parent company struggles financially. When the food products giant reported fourth-quarter earnings two weeks ago, it included a $213 million noncash write-off on the value of the Maxwell House brand. “The reduction in fair value of the Maxwell House trademark was driven by expectations of near-term net sales and profitability declines outlined in the 2020 annual operating plan in response to consumer shifts from mainstream coffee brands to premium coffee brands,” Kraft Heinz said in its annual report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The write-off reduced the carrying value of the Maxwell House brand to $823 million, it said. CNBC first reported in February 2019 that Kraft Heinz was trying to sell the coffee brand. The company has not publicly commented on the future of Maxwell House. The company’s plant in Downtown Jacksonville at 735 E. Bay St., which employs about 200 people, is the last remaining Maxwell House plant in the U.S. The plant has been operating at that location since 1924. After the year-end financial report, both Fitch Ratings and S&P Global Ratings downgraded Kraft Heinz’s credit ratings
The Maxwell House plant at 735 E. Bay St. in Downtown Jacksonville employs about 200 workers.
to junk bond level. S&P’s report suggested a sale of Maxwell House is unlikely anytime soon. “We believe management’s tone on the fourth quarter earnings call could signal a longer timeframe to negotiate and close potential divestitures,” S&P said. “We cannot dismiss the possibility that Kraft Heinz will retain the majority of its portfolio if it cannot negotiate what it believes to be fair prices, especially in a scenario where it is seeking to sell outof-favor brands.”
Foley ‘playbook’ boosts earnings at Dun & Bradstreet
A restaurant company controlled by Cannae Holdings Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization last month. But the investment company spun off from Jacksonville-based Fidelity National Financial Inc. is touting its operation of Dun & Bradstreet Corp. as a success. “Dun & Bradstreet, or D&B, Foley has made remarkable progress in improving its operations in a very short period of time,” Cannae Chairman Bill Foley said Feb. 21 during the investment company’s quarterly conference call. Cannae led an investment consortium that bought the business data firm for $6.9 billion last year. Foley said under Cannae’s leadership, Dun & Bradstreet has achieved $208 million in annual cost savings and increased fourth-quarter earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortization by about 18%. “Dun & Bradstreet’s just another example of the application of the Bill Foley playbook that we’ve been telling the investors about,” Cannae CEO Rick Massey said in the conference call. “In Dun & Bradstreet, Bill found the deal, put the balance sheet together, raised the capital, found the management team, installed them into their spots, found massive operating synergies and now Dun & Bradstreet is achieving growth,” he said. Cannae last month said Dun & Bradstreet filed a confidential registration statement with the SEC for a potential initial public offering. That wasn’t addressed in the conference call. Foley, who also is chairman of title insurance company Fidelity, has a long history of dealmaking in various industries. One deal not working out so far is Cannae’s investment in several restaurant chains, which was made when the investment unit was part of Fidelity. Cannae owns about 65% of American Blue Ribbon Holdings, operator of the Village Inn and Baker Square restaurant chains, which filed for Chapter 11 reorganization in January. Cannae also controls the O’Charley’s and 99 Restaurant chains, but they are not impacted by the bankruptcy. Massey said the Chapter 11 process is intended to improve operations and allow Cannae to “monetize” its investment in the restaurants. “While this looked bad on the surface, we believe that it was a smart/strategic move in that it should allow for more time and cushion to reorganize/rationalize the footprint,
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Advanced Disposal Services last week reported adjusted fourth-quarter earnings of 8 cents a share, with revenue rising 1.4% to $400.5 million. The Ponte Vedra-based waste services company agreed in April 2019 to a buyout by Waste Management Inc., and it looks like the deal will be completed about a year after it was signed. Advanced Disposal has not commented publicly on its quarterly results or the pending merger since it was announced. However, Waste Management CEO James Fish said
ComSovereign Holding Corp., which merged with Jacksonville-based Drone Aviation Holding Corp. in November, said it expects to report pro forma 2019 revenue of $11.8 million. Privately owned ComSovereign became public by merging with Drone Aviation and is now headquartered in Dallas. Drone Aviation, which produced tethered aerial monitoring and communications platforms, reported revenue of $4.1 million in the first nine months of 2019. ComSovereign, which owns several businesses in communications technology, said its pro forma data reflects results if the merger had been consummated Jan. 1, 2019.
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Buyout of Advanced Disposal nears end
ComSovereign revenue at $11.8M
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Foley also is chairman of another Fidelity spinoff, Jacksonville-based mortgage technology company Black Knight Inc. Black Knight invested in Dun & Bradstreet along with Cannae and in part because of the value of that investment, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods analyst Bose George last week raised his price target for Black Knight’s stock from $72 to $80. But with the stock trading at $76.10 at the time of his report, George downgraded his rating on Black Knight from “outperform” to “market perform.” “While we remain broadly positive on the business, we are downgrading the shares to Market Perform purely on valuation given just 5% upside to our new target,” George said in his report.
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during the company’s fourthquarter conference call two weeks ago that the company expects to receive regulatory approvals by the end of March and close the deal soon after that. Neither company has released specific details about how the merger will affect operations, including the Advanced Disposal headquarters in the Nocatee development in Ponte Vedra. Advanced Disposal said in its annual report its lease for its headquarters office at 90 Fort Wade Road expires in 2021. Antitrust regulators are expected to require divestitures of some operations, which is why the approval process has taken so long. “We’ve received a high level of interest from other companies in acquiring any potential businesses we might be required to divest, and we expect to complete the sale of any required divestitures shortly after the closure of our purchase of ADS,” Fish said in the conference call, according to a transcript posted by Waste Management. “Our integration team has been working hard preparing for this close, and the team is positioned to move quickly to integrate ADS operations and to achieve our targeted synergies,” he said.
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free up cash flows and potentially improve its credit terms, all of which should put the Restaurant Group in a better position to be monetized,” Stephens Inc. analyst John Campbell said in a research note Monday. Campbell maintains an “overweight (volatile)” rating on the stock. “Over the near term, we would be investors in Cannae for the value creation events in the works within Cannae’s current portfolio, and we stay put over the long haul as we believe that the Company has a long and proven investment track record,” he said.
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THE BASCH REPORT
Future of Maxwell House remains uncertain
JACKSONVILLE DAILY RECORD / JACKSONVILLE RECORD & OBSERVER
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020
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Did you know? Women’s Council has the most extensive network presence in the National Association of Realtors and they are the largest percent of RPAC donations of any NAR network or council.
www.WCRJax.org
February Member Spotlights
MARCH SOCIAL/MIXER
Women’s Council 2019 State Award Winners
Wed., March 18th
How has the Women’s Council of Realtors benefited you personally and professionally?
4:30-6:30pm Julington Creek Fish Camp 12760 San Jose Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32223
Janna Thomas - Presidents Award
UPCOMING EVENT:
Janna Thomas
Women’s Council of Realtors has enabled me to create life long friendships. The state and local networks offer an incredible opportunity to mentor and meet Realtors from around the State and Northeast Florida. Professionally, the state and local network taught me how to be a leader in my industry and the referral system is priceless.
Rory Dubin - Mentor of the Year Award For over 15 years a great deal of my business has been from Women’s Council referrals (because I have almsot 100% close rate on referrals), plus years of real estate and leadership development training. Friendships around the country and now around the world from Women’s Council.
Rory Dubin
Lisa Andrews - Strategic Partner of the Year Award I’ve been a member of Women’s Council of Realtors, Jacksonville Network since 2014. Some of the most valuable tools I use on a daily basis came from my involvement both locally and nationally at Women’s Council Educational Conferences and Industry Events. Professionally running meetings, managing committees and putting on great events that add Lisa Andrews value to my Realtor Partners. Personally, over the years I’ve connected with people from all over the state that I can refer business and now can also call friends.
Women’s Council of Realtors
Tiffany Mayer - Humanitarian of the Year Award
GOLF TOURNAMENT Monday, April 6th
7:30am – Registration/breakfast 9:00am – Shotgun start South Hampton Golf Club 315 S. Hampton Club Way St. Augustine, FL 32092 $85 Per Player • Foursome $340 Deadline to sign up is March 28th. Golfers register online at: http://wcrjax.org/200328/
Tiffany Mayer
Being a member of the Women’s Council of Realtors has given Tiffany the opportunity to connect with Realtors and industry professionals, leading to strengthening business relationships and building friendships. During her transitional point in careers, Tiffany has found the council supportive and having much to offer in education, networking, resources, and community involvement.
2020 CALENDAR OF EVENTS MARCH 11
MARCH 18
APRIL 8
Board Meeting
Social/Mixer
Board Meeting
9:00-10:00am
4:30-6:30pm | Mandarin
9:00-10:00am
Industry Event Reservations MUST BE MADE by the Friday before the event due to final count needed for the venue.
Visit www.wcrjax.org to register.
Or contact Paula Givler at (904) 233-3562.
facebook.com/ groups/wcrjax/
If you wish to receive updated text messages from the Women’s Council of Realtors please text
“WCRJAX” to 662-200-4303
319348-1
Park your possibilities here.
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The Hanson
Prices, specifications and availability are subject to change without notice. Square footage is approximate. Actual homes as constructed may not contain the features and layouts depicted and may vary from image(s). ©2020 Richmond American Homes; Richmond American Homes of Florida, LP, CBC1257429.
85130 Majestic Walk Circle, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 | 904.541.2555
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Ranch & two-story homes | Homes with RV/Boat garages | 3 to 5 bed Approx. 2,100 to 2,800 sq. ft. | Hundreds of personalization options, with complimentary Home Gallery™ design assistance!
JACKSONVILLE DAILY RECORD / J ACKSONVILLE RECORD & OBSERVER
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020
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happiness is greatly
JaxDailyRecord.com
Special to to the Daily Record
The almost 2.5-acre property at 4734 Julington Creek Road is listed at $895,000.
driven by being connected to creating excellence.
The former home of Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist is for sale
Horst Schulze Founder, Ritz-Carlton Hotels
Horst Schulze is so right. We see that every day at the Observer Media Group — happy colleagues who are striving to create excellence.
The late guitarist Allen Collins bought the Julington Creek house in the 1970s and recorded music in a studio there.
Don’t believe the fake news you hear about newspapers. Our family-owned company — 10 newspapers, seven websites, three community lifestyle magazines and multiple social media channels around Florida — is growing.
BY DAN MACDONALD CONTRIBUTING WRITER
It may not be Elvis Presley’s Graceland, but the home of a Jacksonville rock star is for sale. Owners Sam and Catherine Swingle are marketing the Julington Creek home of the late Allen Collins, a founding member and guitarist of Lynyrd Skynyrd. The property once housed the studio where much of Collins’ post-Lynyrd Skynyrd work with the Rossington Collins Band and the Allen Collins Band was written. The Rossington Collins Band is best known for the single “Don’t Misunderstand Me.” The almost 2.5-acre property at 4734 Julington Creek Road is listed at $895,000. Records show an assessed value of $441,550. Wendy Hughes at Keller Williams Atlantic Partners Southside is listing the property. The main home has five bedrooms, three full bathrooms, a screened pool and a two-car garage. A wooded area leads to a small dock on Julington Creek. The smaller building that housed the studio is 1,200 square feet with two bedrooms, two full bathrooms and a threecar garage. A windowless bedroom is where the studio operated. Collins bought the property before the 1977 airplane crash that killed Lynyrd Skynyrd members Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines and his sister, Cassie Gaines, and three others. Collins died in 1990 from injuries suffered in a 1986 car crash just before the reformation of Lynyrd Skynyrd. The Swingles bought the home in 2004 for $665,000 from Amie Williamson, Collins’ daughter, and his father, Larkin Collins Sr., who owned the house at the time. Williamson extensively remodeled the home, including dismantling the studio. She didn’t move in, Catherine Swingle said in an email interview. The Swingles have three grown children and decided to downsize. They plan
And we’re looking for more happy, optimistic people at all of our newspapers to help our customers grow their businesses. If you understand marketing and sales; if you thrive in an innovative and entrepreneurial environment; if you are looking for a rewarding opportunity — financially, professionally and personally; and if you want to be around happy people dedicated to creating excellence, we have the place for you on our multimedia advertising team.
Send your resume today! Send it to mwalsh@jaxdailyrecord.com
Emily Walsh Publisher, Observer Media Group
File image
Allen Collins is a founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd. He died in 1990 from injuries suffered in a 1986 car crash.
to remain in Jacksonville. While nothing outwardly marks that the house was owned by Collins, Catherine Swingle said fans find the address on the internet and come by to take photos. Derek Hess, drummer in both the Rossington Collins Band and the Allen Collins Band, remembers the studio. It was a much more laid-back place to work than Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Hell House,” a small building without air conditioning where Van Zant ran the band with an iron hand. Before Lynyrd Skynyrd had a record contract, Van Zant would rehearse the band for hours at a time. “Allen would rehearse when we could get him in here. He was partying all of the time,” Hess said of Collins’ work habits during the Rossington Collins days. Work did get done in the studio, including rough mixes for Rossington Collins’ first album, “Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere.” Hess said the first album had nine songs and was too long to fit a normally pressed vinyl album. Studio trickery squeezed the ninth song on by pressing the groves closer together. However, that resulted in 200,000 faulty albums that had to be returned. The Rossington Collins Band members had to pay for the returned albums, Hess said. Catherine Swingle has fond memories of the home and said she will miss it. She especially likes the privacy. “(I’ll miss) having bonfires in the backyard and kayaking on Julington Creek,” she said. The couple has “the memories of raising a family in this large, nature parklike space,” she said.
Special to to the Daily Record 328891-1
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The property has a 1,200-square-foot second home with two bedrooms and two baths. It is where Collins had his music studio.
JACKSONVILLE DAILY RECORD / JACKSONVILLE RECORD & OBSERVER
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020
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Johnson CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
His mother, father and sister work at the company, too. In addition to roasting and selling coffee, Martin Coffee sells “everything you’d find at a coffee shop,” Johnson said. That includes frappé and smoothie mixes, flavored syrups, teas and equipment – anything from a Keurig to a professional espresso machine. Martin Coffee sources the beans, creates custom roasts for customers, packs private label coffee and provides and services equipment. Johnson said the coffee is roasted, then distributed within one to two days. “We’re really from bean to cup,” Johnson said. In the past 15 years, the industry changed drastically, he said. Shortly after Johnson began working at the company, they sold two kinds of coffee – regular and decaf. Now, they have to provide cold brew, flavored shots and teas as coffee trends change. The company sells about 500 products. “Nobody drank cold brew two, three years ago and now you have to offer it,” he said. “Every coffee shop has to offer it and it’s probably one of the most popular beverages.” Another reason Johnson said the company has been successful, especially compared to larger competitors, is the personal, one-on-one feel Martin Coffee can provide. Service is quick and customers who call the company speak to a real person, he said. They also do cupping sessions with customers for them to decide what kind of blends they
Photo by Katie Garwood
Martin Coffee Co. President Ben Johnson holds his trophy after winning the JAX Chamber Overall Small Business Leader of the Year award.
want to sell. Because the company works closely with coffee bean brokers and has a high capacity roaster, Johnson is able to keep pricing competitive. He also keeps a close eye on the markets, making sure coffee bean prices aren’t increasing too much since he orders beans 40,000 pounds at a time. Johnson said Martin Coffee has about 400 customers, ranging from five-employee offices to hotels like the DoubleTree Jacksonville Riverfront. It provides coffee to Kanine Social, Angies Subs and Blue Bamboo, among
other area restaurants and bars. But although the industry has changed, Johnson said he’s never felt like he’s had to be a salesperson for the product. To help grow the company, Johnson has been getting more involved with the community, which he says has helped sales increase in the past several years. The company doesn’t advertise. “You meet a few people and they need coffee and it ends up turning into a sale. I’m not a salesperson, but I’m more of a people person,” Johnson said. “It ends up becoming all very organic, which is much more rewarding
than trying to sell someone something they don’t want.” He’s also started branding more of their products, adding logos to coffee machines and cups so when people see them being used in stores and businesses, they associate them with Martin Coffee. “It’s funny how much that has helped,” he said, “getting our name out there and getting recognition, just people getting familiar with us.” KGARWOOD@ JAXDAILYRECORD.COM (904) 356-2466
BEN JOHNSON Age: 45 Company: Martin Coffee Co. Position: President Family members at Martin Coffee: Mother, Shirley Ann Martin Johnson, secretary; father, Harold Johnson, vice president; sister, Jennifer Martin Johnson, office manager. Hobbies: Camping and golf
Vote W. Braxton Gillam, IV for The Florida Bar Board of Governors I appreciate the support I have received from members of the Bar, including the following Bar leaders: Past Presidents of The Florida Bar:
Howard C. Coker Henry M. Coxe, III John A. DeVault, III Rutledge (Rut) R. Liles
Current & Past Fred D. Franklin, Jr. Florida Bar Board Michael Fox Orr of Governors: S. Grier Wells
Current & Past Presidents of the Jacksonville Bar Association:
Geddes D. Anderson, Jr. Jeptha F. Barbour Daniel K. Bean Stephen D. Busey Giselle Carson T.A. (Tad) Delegal, III G. Ray Driver, Jr. Thomas (Tom) S. Edwards, Jr. Elizabeth B. Ferguson Michael R. Freed
Courtney K. Grimm Christopher (Chris) C. Hazelip William (Bill) L. Joel Reginald Luster Marc M. Mayo James (Jim) F. Mosely, Jr. Alan M. Pickert Michael (Mike) G. Prendergast Troy K. Smith
Voting begins February 28, 2020 and ends March 23, 2020
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Thomas E. Bishop - Past Chairman of Executive Council of Trial Lawyers Section of The Florida Bar Amber R. Donley - Past President of D.W. Perkins Bar Association Christian P. George - Past President of Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Craig A. Gibbs - Past Chairman of Executive Council of Trial Lawyers Section of The Florida Bar Corinne C. Hodak - President-Elect of Jacksonville Chapter of American Board of Trial Advocates Jamie W. Karpman - Past President of Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association Curry Pajcic - Past President of Jacksonville Chapter of American Board of Trial Advocates Jennifer Shoaf Richardson - Past President of Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association
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JACKSONVILLE DAILY RECORD / J ACKSONVILLE RECORD & OBSERVER
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020
JaxDailyRecord.com
THE MARBUT REPORT
Tanner’s platform: A ‘unified’ Bar MAX MARBUT ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart shareholder on the ballot for president-elect of The Florida Bar.
Michael Tanner wants to be president of The Florida Bar. To do that, he has to be elected Special to the Daily Record president-elect after the balGunster shareholder Michael Tanner is a candidate for president-elect of The Florida Bar. lots that will be sent to members Feb. 28 are certified. Tanner, 66, graduated from the University of Florida Levin practices business litigation, of Legal Specialization and “unified” Bar and maintainCollege of Law and was admit- appellate law, professional Education. He received the ing it as an agency of the ted to the Bar in 1978. liability defense and election Justice Harry Lee Anstead state Supreme Court with His career, spent in Jacksonlaw. Award in 2010, recognized as the authority to regulate its ville, includes practicing with Tanner is board-certified The Florida Bar Board Certified members. Mahoney Hadlow & Adams in business litigation and civil Lawyer of the Year. Otherwise, Tanner said the immediately after law school. trial by The Florida Bar and in The issues he feels are facing court would take over profesHe also practiced at Holland & 2012 was inducted as a fellow the legal profession in Florida, sional regulation, possibly creKnight and later was a foundin the American College of detailed in his platform stateating a single-purpose agency ing partner of the Tanner Trial Lawyers. ment posted at floridabar. that lawyers would be required Bishop boutique firm. Tanner represented the 4th org, include maintaining the to pay for through a mandatory “I’m a working lawyer. I’ve Judicial Circuit for eight years judiciary as an independent licensing fee. been in the big firms and I’ve on The Florida Bar Board of nonpoliticized branch of gov“And we’d lose the sections, been in the small firms,” TanGovernors. Tanner served ernment, promoting profesthe committees, the CLEs and ner said. as president of the Amerisionalism and equality, and the Young Lawyers Division. He is a shareholder in can Board of Trial Advocates improving access to justice for The Florida Bar has wonderful Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart’s Jacksonville chapter and was all people. benefits and resources for its Jacksonville office, where he chair of The Florida Bar Board Tanner supports having a Page members, ” Tanner said. GRHK-19001 GREYHAWK__JACKSONVILLE RECORDER AD__10.375x8__APRIL2019-2.qxp_Layout 1 9/20/19 2:17 PM 1
Wanting to help Florida’s lawyers through changes that are on the horizon for the profession also is motivating Tanner to seek The Florida Bar’s top leadership post. Tanner cites what he calls “D-I-Y law,” such as internet access to certain legal forms and the increase in artificial intelligence applied to the law, as issues that will have to be addressed. “There will be more pressure on law firms to figure out what are the core things that lawyers do that clients will want to pay for,” he said. The other candidate on the ballot for president-elect is Renee Thompson, a civil litigator and mediator at Upchurch Watson White & Max in the firm’s Ocala office. Thompson is chair of the Bar’s Technology Committee and has represented the 5th Circuit on the board of governors since 2013. Ballots will be emailed or mailed to eligible voters Feb. 28. Completed ballots must be received by midnight March 23. Results are expected to be released by the Bar on March 24. The prevailing candidate will be sworn in as president-elect at the June Annual Convention in Orlando, where current President-elect Dori FosterMorales will be sworn in as 2020-21 president. MMARBUT@ JAXDAILYRECORD.COM (904) 356-2466
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