February 2020 THE LEAD STORY NEWSLETTER FOR LEADERSHIP JACKSONVILLE

Sponsored by

NEXTGEN 2020 APPLICATIONS * LJ NIGHT WITH THE ICEMEN * ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT * CLASS NOTES

Did you know that dues paid alumni can view and print a copy of the full Leadership Jacksonville Member Directory or look up fellow alums on the website? Login to access the Member Search and/or Member Directory. For more information contact Yvonne Moore, [email protected] or 904-396-6263 x4.

Save the Date for Celebration 2020

Tuesday, April 7, 6 p.m. Jessie Ball duPont Center

Please join us as we celebrate 30 years of Youth Leadership Jacksonville and honor

Cindy Edelman, Coley Jones and Linda Wilkinson for their many contributions to Northeast Florida.

Cindy Edelman Coley Jones Linda Wilkinson (LJ 1989) (LJ 2014, YLJ 1994) (LJ 1998)

Stay tuned for more details in a future invitation and The Lead Story.

Proceeds from Celebration 2020 benefit Youth Leadership Jacksonville. Sponsorship opportunities are available; for information contact Jill Dame.

NOW OPEN: Next Generation Class of 2020 Applications

Next Generation is a unique summer program that seeks to encourage rising leaders to invest their lives and careers in Northeast Florida by fostering interest and participation in the city's current challenges. The program begins on May 28 and runs until August 1, 2020.

This program is for undergraduate and graduate students, interns and young professionals who are 18-30 years old.

Meg Folds, Youth Programs Director has run Next Generation for 15 years. 90% of Next Generation graduates report they are "more likely to live in Jacksonville / Northeast Florida" because of their experience.

Share this wonderful opportunity with your family, friends, peers, workplace and professional organizations.

Applications will be accepted ONLINE until Monday, April 6, 2020.

Visit our website to review the program criteria and to submit applications.

LJ Night with the Jacksonville Icemen Leadership Jacksonville, New Leadership Summit and Next Generation and their families and friends had a fun night at the Jacksonville Icemen game on Friday, January 31.

SAVE THE DATE for an alumni tour of the new Jacksonville Transportation Authority facility and JTA update on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, 5-6:30 p.m.

Class of 2020 Leading From Within Day

LJ 2020's Leading From Within Day was held on January 9. The day focused on broadening participants' understanding of self, appreciation for the leadership styles of others, challenging our ability to understand each other and increasing self-awareness of personal beliefs, experiences and behaviors.

Thank you to Nemour's Children Health System for hosting us in their lovely facility

Marlo Zarka and Kara Tucker Sunil Ancha, Eduardo Sarmiento and Chris Clark

YLJ Class of 2020 "Are We Our Brothers'/Sisters' Keeper?"

On January 23, YLJ 2020 participants focused on thinking in terms of the common good, understanding others and self on "Are We Our Brothers/Sisters' Keeper?" program day. Special thanks to Brooks Rehabilitation for sponsoring the program day.

YLJ 2020 Class Members during YLJ 2020 Class Members the poverty stimulation

UPCOMING EVENTS

Applications OPEN online for Next Generation 2020 Monday, February 3, 2020

LJ 2020 Program Day Thursday, February 6, 2020 Understanding Others Day

Board of Directors Meeting Monday, February 10, 2020 12-1:30 p.m., Jessie Ball duPont Center, Room 318

YLJ 2020 Program Day Thursday, February 23, 2020 "Dollars and Sense"

Alumni Tour of new JTA facility and JTA update Tuesday, March 10, 2020 5-6:30 p.m.

Celebration 2020 Tuesday, April 7, 2020 6 p.m., Jessie Ball duPont Center

Alumni Spotlight

Steve Nix Leadership Jacksonville Class of 2006 Steve Nix has volunteered with Next Generation on the selection, planning and curriculum committees. Steve recently relocated to the community after retiring as Dean, College of Engineering at Texas A&M-Kingsville. Steve is passionate about college education. He encouraged University of North Florida engineering students that possessed potential to express themselves, seek leadership positions and apply to the Next Generation program. Through Steve's LJ experience, he was able to network to build up UNF's engineering program and learn more about the Jacksonville community after his arrival in 2004. He recalls Poverty Day and Education Day being eye-opening program days. Steve believes that LJ educates others to become better community leaders. Personally, he learned that an introverted person can become a good leader. "I aspired to be a better leader because of my LJ involvement. I went to Texas with a better perspective, new set of tools and a more open mind."

Alumni Spotlight features short interviews with Leadership Jacksonville alumni.

CLASS NOTES

1983 Congratulations to John Godfrey who was presented the 2019 Gladys Harris Award by the Meninak Club of Jacksonville. The award is presented annually to the Meninak who by active and enthusiastic participation advances the goals and ideals of the Meninak Club and whose presence enhances the camaraderie among fellow Meninaks. John has a been a Meninak member for 36 years and served as President in 2003.

1985 For 30 years Brenda Simmons-Hutchins led the annual publication of the Jacksonville Black History Calendar. The award winning calendar included stories about local trailblazers and important Black history dates. This year the calendar will cease as an independent publication and instead has partnered with the Jacksonville Free Press. The Free Press will publish information about the accomplishments of First Coast African Americans in a monthly article. The articles will follow National Black History Month Themes. The 2020 theme is "African Americans and the Vote." Thanks to Brenda and to the Free Press for continuing the project through this reinvention.

1996 Jeff Michelman is the District Governor Nominee Designate for Rotary District 6970. Brenda Simmons- 1997 Hutchins (LJ 1985) Ray Alfred has been appointed to the Jacksonville Aviation Authority board of directors.

Julie Negrete-Anderson has joined the Business and Industry Leadership Team Advisory Committee of Florida State College at Jacksonville. Programs include: Computer Information Technology (A.S), Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications (B.A.S), Information Technology Management (B.A.S), Networking Systems Technology (A.S.), Biomedical Engineering Technology (A.S.) IT Security (A.S.) and Data Science Technology (A.S.).

Congratulations to Vanessa Boyer who was chosen as ElderSource's Employee of the Year for 2019.

Judy Poppell has recently changed jobs. She has left the University of North Florida and is now writing grants for Beaches Habitat for Humanity. She is enjoying the opportunity to learn about affordable housing and researching grant opportunities. An extra benefit is that the Beaches Habitat office is 5 minutes from home.

Lawanda Ravoira, who has served as President and CEO of the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center since she founded the organization in 2013, will transition March 1 to the role of President Emeritus, focusing on expansion of the agency's public policy and advocacy work.

2002 Wanda Willis has assumed the newly created role of Director of Community Development for the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens. Wanda's responsibilities will primarily entail community outreach efforts, as well as working to improve accessibility to the museum itself.

2003 Scott Keith was appointed North Florida regional president for Truist, the merged BB&T and SunTrust banking organizations. His is one of 24 regional presidents appointed for Truist's community banking model in local markets. Jake Gordon (NLS 2016) and 2006 Meg Folds (LJ 1999) at Kevin Holzendorf will serve a second term as board chair Reconnect 2019 for the Jacksonville Transportation Authority.

2008 After three years, Freed to Run, Mike Freed's program to raise funds to support an endowment at Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, has raised over $1 million toward his five year $2.25 million goal. The endowment supports legal assistance for pediatric patients and their families.

2011 Pepper Lindsey has launched an offshoot of Lindsey Films Inc., called Direct Me Anywhere for businesses to create professional marketing videos. It uses remote capture technology to record video and direct clients in real time with an internet connection. The system is based on a smartphone application. To learn more about her new project check www.directmeanywhere.com.

2012 Congratulations to Jennifer Ryan on her election to the Florida Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (FAFCC)'s Board of Directors.

Corrina Madrid has moved to Denver, Colorado where she is working as Vice President of Engagement for the Epilepsy Foundation of Colorado. Corrina reports that she loves Denver.

2015 Tim Groover has been promoted to president of physician alignment at Baptist Health.

2016 Michelle Cook has stepped down as Sheriff of Atlantic Beach to run for Sheriff in Clay County. Michelle grew up in Clay County and considers it as home.

Congratulations to Moitreyi Nayek on her new position as Director, Data and Content Management Cross Sector Innovation at S&P Global Ratings.

2017 Congratulations to Lori Day for her appointment by Jose Oliva, Florida House of Representatives Speaker to serve as a member of the Florida Commission on the Status of Women. The appointment begins immediately and will expire on December 31, 2023.

Vicky Basra, currently Senior Vice President of the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center will succeed Lawanda Ravoira (LJ 1997) as President and CEO, taking over leadership of the agency on March 1.

2018 Harold Craw has been promoted by Fast Forward Sports Group, LLC from the role of general manager to executive vice president/general manager. Harold has led the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp since Fast Forward took over the franchise in 2015.

2019 Colleen Bell, president; Tracy Dixon and Zach Rossley, treasurer are board members of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Jacksonville.

2020 Cyndy Trimmer has been elected to partnership at Driver, McAfee, Hawthorne & Diebenow.

Wendy Norfleet has just started her 2nd year as president of the Jacksonville Information Technology Council.

Honorary LISC will celebrate J.F. Bryan who has chaired the LISC Jacksonville Advisory Board since its inception in 2000, at their 20th Anniversary Community Development Awards Celebration on February 20. Single tickets are $40. J.F. Bryan (Honorary) New Leadership Summit Nelson Bradshaw (NLS 2010) was reappointed by Governor DeSantis to the Florida Development Finance Corp., a state-authorized issuer of industrial revenue bonds, for a four-year term.

Patrick Linfors (NLS 2015) has moved to The Garden State Council of Boy Scouts of America where he is the Scout Executive/CEO. The Garden State Council serves communities across South Jersey.

Brad Talbert (NLS 2018) will serve as the 2020 chair of the JAXUSA Partnership, the economic development division of JAX Chamber. He will lead the second year of a five-year strategic plan, which has a large focus on health and biomedical industries. Brad is following Ray Driver (LJ 2007) in this position.

Brian Wolfburg (NLS 2019) received the Individual IMPACT Award from CREW Jacksonville for his work promoting, benefitting and advancing the northeast Florida community, resulting in significant milestones in the commercial real estate industry in the past two years.

Next Generation Congratulations to Leadership Jacksonville's Communication Coordinator Ale'ta Turner (NextGen 2012) on the birth of Glynn Alexandria Turner on Tuesday, January 28 at 8:12 p.m., weighing in at 7 lbs 10 oz. Mother, beautiful baby, dad and brothers are all doing great!

Several NextGen alums have been selected to participated in the United Way of Northeast Florida's Stein Fellowship Class of 2020: Jacob Brinkley (NextGen 2017), Cameron Frazier (YLJ 2007 and NextGen 2010) and Javon Knight (YLJ 2010 and NextGen 2019). Youth Leadership Jacksonville Brent Whiting (YLJ 2015) accepted an offer of admission to the Harvard School of Dental Medicine's Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) program beginning in August 2020.

George Boston (YLJ 2018) is an appointed Justice on the University of North Florida Student Government.

George Pratt (YLJ 2018) is a Senator At-Large at Morehouse College.

Deyona Burton (YLJ 2019) was a panelist at the "Shh... Let the Youth Speak: Series II" hosted by the Young Leaders of Today, Sherwood Forest and Paradise Park Community Association, Inc.

Michael Chen (YLJ 2019) is serving as the state president for the Florida Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA).

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated hosted the 2019 Debutante Coterie that included YLJ alumni Morgan Brown (YLJ 2019) and Kenadee Holzendorf (YLJ 2017).

TEDxYouth@Jacksonville, TEDxJacksonville's first conference designed for area high school students, will be on Monday, March 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.. Two YLJ alums will be speakers. Mario Barrozo (YLJ 2019) will propose solutions for how the American education system can be changed to be better aligned with the highly productive education models used in other countries.

Jessica Malosh (YLJ 2020) will discuss how the constant interconnectivity fostered by today's social platforms comes at a cost; she will argue that by consciously posting more inclusive content, teenagers can relieve feelings of isolation and decrease instances of depression.

Various Several Leadership Jacksonville alumni will be recognized at the 4th annual Women with Heart luncheon, benefitting Volunteers in Medicine. Honorees at the event on February 5 include: Kristi Aiello (LJ 2018), Mickee Brown (LJ 2009), Tammy Daniel (LJ 2015), Tracee Holzendorf (LJ 2008), Ann-Marie Knight (LJ 2016) and Ellen Williams (LJ 2014). Nina Waters (LJ 1991) is being recognized as the Dorion-Burt honoree.

The Cathedral Arts Project (CAP) has announced its 2020 Guardians of the Arts. Stephanie (LJ 2015) and Tim Cost (Honorary) will be recognized on April 17 at Spring for the Arts, CAP's annual fundraising event.

Seamark Ranch Board of Directors include: Will Montoya (LJ 2012) Chair, Susan Hamilton (LJ 1988), Susan Mack (LJ 2009) and Robin Norton (LJ 2002).

Leon Haley (NLS 2017), Eric Mann (NLS 2012) and Asghar Syed (LJ 2018) hosted January Community Suppers for OneJax.

Four LJ alumni were included on Jacksonville Daily Record's list of five people to watch, leaders that will guide our region's future: Daniel Davis (LJ 2015), Alex Sifakis (LJ 2014), Nicole Thomas (LJ 2013) and Cyndy Trimmer (LJ 2020).

The NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association Northeast Florida Chapter announced its 2020 board. LJ alumni include: David Smith (LJ 2016), vice president of public affairs; Laura Gonzales (LJ 2018) , YLJ 2019 class members at treasurer and Nelson Bradshaw (NLS 2010), past president Reconnect 2019 and director. OneJax has announced the recipients of its 2020 Humanitarian Awards. Recipients include: MaliVai Washington (LJ 2010) and Terri Florio (LJ 2004) for their work with the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation and Melanie Patz (LJ 2006) and Lynn Sherman (LJ 2011) for their work with the Jacksonville Community Remembrance Project.

Jill Bechtold (LJ 2015) and Dion Bass (NextGen 2016) have joined the Jacksonville office of Smith, Gambrell Russell, LLP. Jill will be a partner in the Litigation Practice, Dion will be an associate in the Litigation Practice.

NOTES OF SYMPATHY

Our condolences to the family and many friends of Robert "Bob" Shircliff (Honorary) who passed away on January 2. Bob was a legend in the Jacksonville business, civic and nonprofit communities where he served on dozens of boards and led many fundraising campaigns for institutions that he personally supported. Bob is often cited as a model of community trusteeship and was featured in an award winning Leadership Jacksonville Legacy Series video. He was also a Leadership Jacksonville Celebration honoree in 2000. Among his many passions, he was particularly supportive of Ascension St. Vincent's (where the road to the hospital was renamed Shircliff Way in 2007) and The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida. Bob defined the Shircliff Way as recognizing that you are dependent on other people - in everything you do you are associated with others. Whether going up or down you will pass the same people. You can never get anything accomplished alone. There are always others involved - or you are helpless. The Shircliff Way recognizes the importance of others and being fair, honest, transparent and encouraging others to grow. Bob had a delightful sense of humor. When he was interviewed for the Legacy Series, he was asked, "how would you like to be remembered?" Bob replied, "I saw him yesterday. That is as far as I have thought!" Bob will long be remembered for his role in our community.

Our condolences to Bob Foster (LJ 1987) and his family upon the death of his son Robert "Robbie" Mallory Foster Jr. on January 2.

Our condolences to the family and friends of Mary Clemons Wilson (LJ 1989). Mary passed away on January 4. She was a Jacksonville native and a graduate of FJC (now FSCJ) and UNF, finishing her education with a Master's degree in Public Administration. Mary served as former Jacksonville Mayor Hans Tanzler's Administrative Assistant and then served in various roles in our community. In 1991 she moved to Knoxville, Tennessee where she accepted a job with U.S. Housing and Urban Development. She eventually became the Field Office Director and served U.S. HUD for 28 years before retiring due to health issues. While in Jacksonville Mary was an active member of the Junior League of Jacksonville, Leadership Jacksonville and was on the Board of The Bridge of Northeast Florida. She was also active with her church.

Our condolences to David Miller (LJ 2008), Michael Miller (LJ 2013) and Daniel Miller (LJ 2020) and their families upon the passing of their father Richard B. Miller on January 20.

Our condolences to the family and very many friends of Mayor Jake Godbold (Honorary) upon his death on January 23. Jake's many accomplishments on Jacksonville City Council and as Mayor of the City of Jacksonville (1979-1986) have been well documented through the Florida Times-Union and on social media. Among these accomplishments, Jake is credited with the push to improve the Gator Bowl (eventually leading to the attraction of the NFL), creation of the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Metropolitan Park, the Jacksonville Landing and Southbank Riverwalk and the Prime Osborne Convention Center. His legacy includes his ability to pull the community together and his love for Jacksonville. He has often been referred to as Jacksonville's biggest cheerleader. For more on Jake, enjoy the Jacksonville Legacy Series and Mike Tolbert's (LJ 1980) recently published book Jake! The last southern populist mayor who transformed Jacksonville, Florida from a sleepy city with an inferiority complex into a dynamic metropolis with a can-do attitude.

Our condolences to Chip Bachara (LJ 2018) and his family upon the death of his sister Terri Bachara Tucker on January 24.

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