Daily Record Financial News &
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Vol. 105, No. 108 • One Section
35¢ www.jaxdailyrecord.com
JEA board elects Zahn as interim CEO He says his tenure should begin by “halting the conversation” on privatizing utility. By David Cawton Staff Writer The JEA board of directors on Tuesday unanimously approved Aaron Zahn to lead the organization as interim CEO. Zahn stepped down Friday as
a member of the JEA board so he could pursue the position vacated by former Managing Director and CEO Paul McElroy. Council approved Zahn’s appointment to the JEA board on Feb. 28. McElroy resigned April 6. In the wake of McElroy’s deci-
sion, Chief Financial Office r Me l i ssa Dykes served in the interim role for 10 days and was considered Zahn along with Zahn as a candidate to serve in that capacity until a permanent replacement is found. The vote for Zahn came after
one to keep Dykes in the role mustered two votes — from Chair Alan Howard and Fred Newbill. Dykes needed four votes to keep the job. The board decided 5-0 to appoint Zahn in a second round of voting. The seven-member board has two vacancies — Zahn’s and another. Neither Dykes nor Zahn commented after the meeting.
Howard called the outcome “an unusual turn of events.” “I have absolute confidence in Ms. Dykes,” Howard said. He said he initially voted for her because of her experience and commitment to JEA over the past six years. “However, given the votes that were cast, it appeared to me that JEA
continued on
Page 3
Digital marquee at Daily’s Place faces scrutiny
Special to the Daily Record
The city of Jacksonville and SMG, the company that manages the city’s sports and entertainment venues, want to install a 60-foot-6-inch tall digital marquee next to the Daily’s Place amphitheater along Gator Bowl Boulevard. The Downtown Development Review Board will review the project at its meeting Thursday. Story, Page 4.
Healthy retailers expanding, Regency Centers CEO says
Box offers clues about eTown development in South Jacksonville The PARC Group is developing project along Interstate 295 and Florida 9B. By Karen Brune Mathis Editor More details are emerging about eTown, this time in a box. The PARC Group, which is developing the project in South Jacksonville along Interstate 295 and Florida 9B, is delivering packages around Jacksonville introducing the community. Among the first facts is that
Public
Photo by Karen Brune Mathis
The eTown logo as displayed on a Popsockets smartphone accessory.
while public records call it E-Town, it’s branded as eTown and its opening will be 2019. Other than that, new details are few, but the focus is outlined: “Sustainability that starts with
legal notices begin on page
7
us. Technology for your lifestyle. Convenience beyond location. Connected community.” The “good-e” box contains a plant, a portable mobile Power Bank, a Popsockets mobile phone accessory and a cake pop. The box and its contents are branded with a blue square containing a lowercase white “e.” An information card invites people to visit eTownJax.com and follow the development on social media at facebook.com/etownjax and on Twitter and Instagram @ etownjax. The website allows people to complete a form to receive eTown eTown
continued on
Page 3
Rise of Amazon.com is “disruption du jour,” Hap Stein tells World Affairs Council. By Mark Basch Contributing Writer With the rise of online shopping, the future of brick-andmortar stores may appear bleak, but Hap Stein remains optimistic. During a talk Tuesday to the World Affairs Council of Jacksonville, the CEO of shopping center developer Regency Centers Corp. responded to retailing concerns by quoting Mark Twain:
Published
for
27,428
“The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.” Stein has spent more than 40 years Stein with the Jacksonvillebased company founded by his parents, and he’s seen a lot of ups and downs in retail. “Change and intense competition have been disrupting retail forever,” he said. Competition from Amazon.com and other e-commerce businesses is just the “disruption du jour.” Store closings make headlines, but Stein said U.S. retailers Stein
continued on
Page 3
consecutive business days