ANNUAL REPORT
2021
Photo: Ryan Ketterman,Visit Jacksonville
CONTENTS JAXUSA PARTNERSHIP
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VENTURE SERVICES
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MEMBER RELATIONS
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PROJECT OPIOID
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Annual Report 2021 Designer: Korey McDougald
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Cover Photo: Ryan Ketterman
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4 2018 Annual Report
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32nd ANNUAL LEADERSHIP TRIP: ST. LOUIS
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Photo: Ryan Ketterman,Visit Jacksonville
8th ANNUAL DOWNTOWN DESTINATION TRIP: TAMPA
2021 Year in Review 2,870
NEW JOBS ANNOUNCED
3,000+ $500
MILLION CAPTIAL INVESTMENT IN REGION
MEMBERS SERVED
890
ENTREPRENEURS ENGAGED
33,834
FOLLOWERS @JAXCHAMBER TWITTER
11,056
FOLLOWERS @JAXCHAMBER LINKEDIN 2018 Annual Annual Report 2021
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JAXUSA PARTNERSHIP
Expanding our Workforce and Bringing New Jobs to Region •
Advanced Manufacturing
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Financial Services
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Advanced Transportation & Logistics
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Health & Biomedical
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Information Technology & Innovation
Photos: JAX Chamber (top), Boeing (bottom)
JAXUSA Partnership continues its focus on targeted industries:
Bottom: The groundbreaking ceremony celebrates a 25-year lease agreement between Boeing and the Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA). Under the agreement, the JAA will construct and lease to Boeing new facilities on approximately 30 acres located on the northeast side of Cecil Airport, near Boeing’s existing MRO site. Construction is anticipated to be completed in 2023.
The JAXUSA divison of the JAX Chamber attracts and retains top talent, working with regional education partners on collaborations like Earn Up to ensure businesses have the workforce they need when they are expanding and investing in Northeast Florida. JAXUSA hosted 130 events and presentations to reach nearly 2,800 students, parents and community partners through the career pathways campaign.
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JAXUSA business recruitment and talent attraction advertising campaigns generated a total of 12.1 million impressions from business decision makers, site consultants and out-of-market talent.
JAXUSA PARTNERSHIP
Making Northeast Florida a Place Where Women can Succeed Personally & Professionally Elevate Women aims to create an environment where female talent can thrive in their lives and professions, ensuring their success in careers, on corporate boards and in political office. Elevate Women recently developed and released episodes of two speakers’ series, “Leaders Elevating Leaders,” which bridges the leadership gap across industries and communities by featuring succesful women in leadership; and “From the Expert’s Lens,” which introduces local and national subject matter experts that provide insights and analysis on topics related to women’s advancement in leadership specific to the business and economic impact. The 16 episodes that were developed in 2021 have been disseminated and shared through Elevate Women’s social media channels to women in our leadership pipleine so they can also share the message. By creating the pipeline and support system, we will not only be able to open pathways for women into executive leadership locally, but guide companies to adopt them on a larger scale to improve the diversity and retention of their workforce.
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PUBLIC POLICY
Support for Historic Preservation in Downtown Jacksonville: Recommended support for the Downtown Preservation and Revitalization Program. The program is designed to encourage developers to preserve and revitalize historic buildings as part of the overall redevelopment of downtown Jacksonville. In the year since this was approved, several historic restoration projects have been approved, including the Laura Street Trio.
Photos: Jacksonville Daily Record
Business Rent Tax: Supported reducing Florida’s Business Rent Tax, charged for the rental, lease or license to use real property. The rate was 6 percent prior to advocacy on this issue. During 2021, the Florida Legislature passed a cut of the business rent tax, reducing it from 5.5 percent to 2 percent.
Shipyards Project: The JAX Chamber Board of Directors supported the multi-use development by the Jaguars on the Shipyards property in Downtown Jacksonville. The Jaguars sought and received community input on the project, gaining consensus from residents and the business community. The project is set to include a performance center, a marina and a major hotel. The project passed the Jacksonville City Council unanimously in October 2021.
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Northeast Florida’s Most Accessible and Effective Entrepreneurial Development Program
Photos:Dr. Carlton Robbinson
VENTURES SERVICES
The JAX Bridges Small Business Initiative launched in 2014 is designed to be a key facilitator for supplier quality and development in Northeast Florida. It helps smaller companies grow and promote supply chain diversification among corporations. This is accomplished through a series of entrepreneurial activities that prepare small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for growth. During the qualification process, small businesses will perfect plans, pitches, and strategies through entrepreneurial education, teaming and mentoring. In March 2021, a formal Call to Innovate was announced, the first major project of the Open Innovation Center at the Jacksonville Regional Transportation in downtown Jacksonville. The Call to Innovate worked with health care partners, UF Health Jacksonville, Brooks Rehabilitation and Florida Blue, who developed six use cases for which they are looking for innovative solutions from entrepreneurs and startups. Some of the use cases include care transition technologies, virtual care delivery in underserved communities and health care artificial intelligence (AI).
Selected entrepreneurs were given the opportunity to pitch their ideas to the health care partners and other investors. While the exact outcomes for winning pitches varied based on the company and the need, some potential benefits included customer acquisition, joint product development and advisory board opportunities. 2018 Annual Report 2021 Report
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Connecting women business owners and leaders to resources in Northeast Florida. The Jacksonville Women’s Business Center is dedicated to expanding the entrepreneurial and economic development of women business owners and leaders in Northeast Florida. JWBC is committed to assisting female entrepreneurs launch and grow successful businesses by providing free and low-cost business coaching webinars, educational training workshops, networking opportunties and access to financial resources.
1,855
741
JOBS CREATED
CLIENTS SERVED
47M+ IN CLIENTS ANNUAL SALES
36 NEW BUSINESSES STARTED
1,500+ COUNSELING HOURS
Rochelle Stoddard
Dionne Wellington
When Rochelle Stoddard’s dad asked her to join the family business, she wondered what she would do at a scrapyard. Twenty-one years later she owns the place and, as president, has overseen significant progress. Rochelle became an ATHENA Powerlink graduate in 2020 and was named Small Business Leader of the Year for JAX Chamber’s Venture Services Division for 2020-2021.
Icecapade Frozen Treats recently contracted with the Jacksonville Icemen minor league ice hockey team to offer its artisanal ice pops at games—a cool connection for a small business that overcame the challegenges of opening in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. With significant help from JAX Chamber and its Jacksonville Women’s Business Center, Dionne Wellington, started the business where she handcrafts and sells ice pops inpsired by her Caribbean culture.
The Jacksonville Women’s Business Center is a program of the Jacksonville Chamber Foundation, Inc. a 501(c)(3) organization. JWBC is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All SBA funded programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for person(s) with disabilities will be made of requested at least one weeks in advance. jwbc@myjaxchamber.com
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JAX CHAMBER FOUNDATION
Lewis and White Business League
The initiative is named in honor of A.L. Lewis and Dr. Eartha White, two influential African American business leaders in Jacksonville and both charter members of the National Negro Business League. The League was founded in 1900 by Booker T. Washington to advance the economic conditions of African Americans.
Photos: Will Brown, Jacksonville Business
The Lewis and White Business League includes connections to business and educational advancement, quarterly meetings with guest speakers and networking and mentoring opportunities.
LEFT TO RIGHT: Mark Bennett, President, Bank of America; Daniel Davis, President & CEO, JAX Chamber; Shamika Wright, Executive Director, JAX Chamber Foundation; Carrie Davis, President, Wealth Watchers; Dr. Carlton Robinson, Chief Innovation Officer, JAX Chamber; Aundra Wallace, President, JAXUSA Partnership
The JAX Chamber launched the Lewis and White Business League to offer a forum and opportunities for African American business owners and residents. In 2021, The Lewis and White Business League launched a directory that connects Black-owned businessess in Northeast Florida with contracting and networking opportunities. The database makes Black-owned businesses searchable by their industry, company name and zip code and indicates whether the company is a certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise or a certified Minority Business Enterprise.
SUPPORTERS:
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MEMBER RELATIONS
Connecting Through Councils
The JAX Chamber has eight councils across the city which help drive conversation and engagement on critical issues in our community. Four councils (Arlington, Downtown, South and Three Rivers) are based on geography, While the (Health, Information Technology, Transportation and Logistics, the Professional Women’s Council) are industry or issue specific. The councils provide opportunities for small business owners and professionals of larger companies to network and make a difference in the community.
2021 CHAMBER COUNCIL PRESIDENTS Arlington Council Will Shepard Raymond James
Downtown Council Gracie Simendinger B.E.A.M.
Health Council Jim Satterwhite Venture Pointe Professional Women’s Council Kaci Barnes Baptist Health
Information Technology Council Matthew Parks Pace Center for Girls South Council Heather Border Kailo Nutrition
Three Rivers Council Earl Kelly EK3 Technologies
Transportation and Logistics Council John Finotti Tucker Hall
BEACHES DIVISON JAX Chamber’s Beaches Divison is dedicated to the growth and development of our coastal communities. It represents more than 340 businesses and 1,200 members who live, work and play at the beach — from Mayport Village to Ponte Vedra Beach and everywhere in between. This division conducts monthly mixers and luncheons at the beach., and has convenient office at Marsh Landing Boulevard for Chamber members who work or live at the beach. 12
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MEMBER RELATIONS
MEMBER RELATIONS PRESENTED BY:
2021 SMALL BUSINESS LEADERS OF THE YEAR Arlington Council Jon Hart Hart SEO Downtown Council Jim Webb Manifest Distilling Health Council Nemiah Ruthledge Norfleet Integrated Solutions Manadarin Council Gloria Vinson Landco Properties Inc. Professional Women’s Council Snowden McFall Fired Up! Professional Speaking and Coaching Transportation and Logistics Council Jesus Garay Global Frieght & Commerce, LLC
Dr. Bridget Edkin
Beaches Council Dr. Bridget Edkin Sláinte Chiropractic Entrepreneurial Growth Divison Rochelle Stoddard Berman Bro., Inc. Information Technology Council Wendy Norfleet Norfleet Integrated Solutions North Council Gustavo Diaz Exótico Coffee Company South Council Trey Vollmer Vollmer Visuals West Council Dustin Fries Kanine Social
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r. Bridget Edkin, chiropractor and owner of Sláinte Chiropractic, was named the 2021 JAX Chamber Overall Small Business Leader of the Year. Edkin is a thirdgeneration chiropractor who opened her practice in Jacksonville Beach in 2017. Sláinte Chiropractic, named after the Gaelic word meaning “to your health,” cares for nearly 300 patients per week using the Gonstead Technique, a comprehensive, analytical approach that attracts patients and chiropractors from across the country. Throughout its four years of operation, Sláinte Chiropractic has employed a team of 12 people who focus on caring for each patient without interfering with the body’s natural healing process. Despite warnings from family and professors about the challenges of opening a practice, Dr. Edkin’s decided to take the leap and her practice has grown significantly since 2017. She has ambitions to open two more offices in Jacksonville.
Dr. Bridget Edkin Owner Sláinte Chiropractic
“We have such incredible talent in our community and it’s amazing what our small businesses are doing in Jacksonville,” JAX Chamber President and CEO Daniel Davis said. “Dr. Edkin is a talented, innovative leader, and I look forward to working with her over the next year — and where she takes this growing business from here.” 2018 Annual Annual Report 2021
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MEMBER RELATIONS
Young Professionals Leading the Way ImpactJAX is the YP organization of the JAX Chamber and is the premiere venue for up-and-coming Jacksonville leaders to connect with each other and give back to the community. Through ImpactJAX we empower and prepare the next generation of business leaders to drive Jacksonville’s future.
2021 IMPACTJAX BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Jon Cagan Cagan & Cagan Law Firm
Community Engagement Chair Amanda Trotenberg The Klotz Group of Companies
Chair-Elect Britten Shea Black Knight Immediate Past Chair Richard Naylor Tom Coughlin Jay Fund
Service & Giving Chair Kayla Nocella Equitable Advisors Social & Cultural Chair Sarah Gordon Jewish Family & Services Jacksonville
Professional Development Chair Graham Hawkins Bank of America Public Policy Chair Tom White Adams & Reese, LLP Membership Engagement Chair Emily Hatten Girl Scouts of Gateway Council
At-Large Member Moyla Halimy Parker & Lynch At-Large Member Brandon James Equitable Advisors
HIGHTOWER FELLOWSHIP
Investing in a New Generation of Leaders for Northeast Florida
The Hightower Emerging Leaders Fellowship was founded in 2017 and brings together a class of talented young professinals with prominent and influential Jacksonville leaders.The Fellowship fosters meaningful relationships between the current and next generation of community leaders. The fellowship is named for Mike Hightower, who served as JAX Chamber Chair in 2009. 14
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PROJECT OPIOID
Leaders in Action: Confronting the Overdose Crisis Founded in 2018, in partnership with Florida Blue and funded by the Florida Blue Foundation, Project Opioid was created in response to the opioid overdose epidemic. Beginning in Central Florida, the initiative quickly expanded to five additional regions across the state, including Miami, Tampa Bay, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Jacksonville.
Project Opioid JAX, an initiative of JAX Chamber, collaborates with the top leaders in our community to confront the overdose crisis through education and awareness, data analysis, high-impact strategies, outreach and engagement to vulnerable communities, and leading-edge advocacy. We utilize our network of leaders across all sectors, along with service providers, and information specialists to facilitate evidence-based collaborations that force multiply efforts and help reduce overdose deaths. Project Opioid JAX hosted its official launch on November 2 at the Jacksonville River City Downtown Hotel (formerly The Omni) with over 250 elected officials, treatment providers, medical professionals and concerned citizens in attendance. Pat Geraghty, President & CEO, GuideWell/ Florida Blue delivered a powerful keynote address, and the Community Coalition Alliance provided a NARCAN and Deterra training session for all attendees. The audience also got to hear from two parents who tragically lost children to Fentanyl overdose. This tribute served as a reminder to all in attendance that every statistic represents a human life and that we must work together to save lives. 2018 Annual Annual Report 2021
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2021 BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS Chair Henry Brown CEO Miller Electric Company
Chair-elect Ray Driver Partner Driver, McAfee, Hawthorne & Diebenow
Immediate Past Chair Debbie Buckland Market President BB&T, now Truist
Treasurer Brian Wolfburg President & CEO VyStar Credit Union
General Counsel Tim Volpe Partner Adams and Reese LLP
President Daniel Davis President & CEO JAX Chamber
JAXUSA Partnership Chair Brad Talbert President & CEO Memorial Hospital
CHAIRS
Industry Affairs John Bottaro Executive Vice President RS&H
Member Relations Brian Evans President, Jacksonville Market Fifth Third Bank
Trustees Leon Haley CEO UF Health at Jacksonville
Military Affairs Michael Linnington CEO Wounded Warrior Project
Chamber Councils Kristy Meeler Principal Avondale Wealth Advisors
Beaches Jenny McKeithen Vice President, Financial Sales Manager First Citizens Bank
Government Affairs Jason Roth Regional Manager, Local Government, Community Relations & Economic Development TECO Peoples Gas
AT-LARGE
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Andy Allen Owner Corner Lot Development Group
John Avendano President Florida State College at Jacksonville
Ken Babby CEO/Owner Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
Jack Boyle Global Co-President, Direct to Consumer Fanatics
Mark Bennett Southeast Region Executive Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Michelle Braun President & CEO United Way of Northeast Florida
Lauren Braddock SERVPRO of Mandarn, SERVPRO of Jacksonville Beach/Ponte Vedra, SERVPRO of St. Augustine Commerical Business Development Representative
Lathun Brigman General Manager Beaver Street Fisheries Inc.
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AT-LARGE Jim Bush External Affairs Manager, North Florida Florida Power & Light Company
Christina Clohecy CFO Web.com
Tim Cost President Jacksonville University
Randy DeFoor Senior Vice President, Regional Major Claims Counsel Fidelity National Financial Inc.
Anthony Glenn Head, Jacksonville Office Macquarie Global Services (USA) LLC
Jake Gordon CEO Downtown Vision
Dane Grey President Elite Parking Services of America
Ben Johnson President Martin Coffee Company
Paul Jones President & COO W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractor Inc.
Bianca Jordan Plant Manager Johnson & Johnson Vision Care
Charlie Kauffman Regional Vice President Wells Fargo
Mark Lamping President Jacksonville Jaguars LLC
Chris Listau President, Insurance Operations The Main Street America Group
Eric Mann President & CEO YMCA of Florida’s First Coast
Nathan Marty CEO Auld & White Constructors LLC
Carson McCall Vice President Perry-McCall Construction Inc.
Tina Meskel President / Principal Engineer Meskel & Associates Engineering PLLC
Brett McClung President & CEO Baptist Health
Steve Moore Vice President and Chief Financial Officer The Vestcor Companies
Joe Nackashi Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer Black Knight
Donna Orender CEO Orender Unlimited/ Generation W
Lisa Palmer President & CEO Regency Centers Corporation
Brian Parks Regional President Ameris Bank
Sara Leutzinger Market President & Publisher Jacksonville Business Journal
Brian Bucher Regional President The PNC Financial Services Group
Susan Ponder-Stansel President & CEO Alivia Care
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AT-LARGE Jared Rice Executive Director THE PLAYERS Championship
J.P. Saenz COO Haskell
June Scarlett Northwell Health Vice President of Ambulatory Optimization
Erik Sharpe Vice President & Division Manager, Jacksonville Brasfield & Gorrie LLC
Linda Sherrer Chairman Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty
Misty Skipper Vice President, Marketing & Communications GATE Petroleum Company
Darnell Smith North Florida Market President Florida Blue
Cindy Stover North Florida Market President TD Bank
David Szymanski President University of North Florida
Kent Theilen CEO Mayo Clinic
Tom VanOsdol President and CEO, Ascension Florida & St. Vincent’s HealthCare Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside Clint Pyle CFO Stellar
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Duval County School Board Chair Hon. Elizabeth Andersen School Board Representative, Distric 2 Duval County Public Schools
Mayor’s Office Stephanie Burch Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Mayor’s Office — City of Jacksonville
Chair, ImpactJAX Jon Cagan Managing Attorney Cagan & Cagan Law Firm
JTA Nat Ford CEO Jacksonville Transportation Authority
Chair, JAXBIZ Abel Harding Executive Vice President, North Florida Market President IBERIABANK Jay Stowe Managing Director, Cheif Executive Officer JEA
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U.S. Navy Admiral Gary Mayes Commander Navy Region Southeast
Jacksonville City Council President Hon. Scott Wilson Council President, Group 3 Jacksonville City Council
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JAX Chamber 3 Independent Drive Jacksonville, FL 32202 2018 Annual Annual Report 2021
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