Violence And Shortage Of Skilled Labor Being Addressed By CIS In Jacksonville

An increase instreet violence and the shortage of skilled labor, two of Jacksonville’s biggest problems, are being tackled by Communities In Schools (CIS). Led by CEO Leon Baxton, who grew up on the streets of New York without the help of parents or a community, is a living example of personal success to struggling children in Jacksonville. With their Case Management, Literacy and After-School programs, CIS serves 7,000 students from kindergarten to 12^thgrade in 37 Duval County Schools. By providing students with personal and employment skills, they are exposed to opportunities that can lead them to a life of financial success and away from bad behavior. With the help of area businesses, through plant tours, internships and speaking to school assemblies, students can find an interest to pursue. CIS High schools are working with companies to provide opportunities for specialized training for a future workforce, particularly in vocational fields. Baxton encourages companies to contact CIS to build partnerships that can lead to the development of future employees and to keep Jacksonville kids on the right track. Call 904-344-3900. Baxton is on the right in this “Lunch with Les” photo. 

Gilbane’s Ryan Sitnik Brings Experience And Technology To Northeast Florida’s Major Construction Projects

With access to an exclusive database of extensive construction techniques, along with utilizing the latest in construction technology, backed by experience in every type of construction dating back to 1870 and his emphasis on pre-construction planning, Ryan Sitnik, the Northeast Florida Business Development Manager for Gilbane, Inc., is making an impact in sales for the nation’s 11^thlargest general contractor. With work including major high-rise office buildings, healthcare facilities, manufacturing plants, and school facilities, no job is too big for the family owned company, headquartered in Providence Rhode Island. Ryan’s strategy is to work with clients in the early planning stage so the construction project can be customized, budgeted and completed on a desired time schedule. The range of his strategy has helped a life sciences manufacturing plant save money by expediting construction time utilizing prefabrication and enhancing production. In contrast, his work for a museum called for close attention to construction details and more quality control for a facility designed to accommodate the public. Ryan can be contacted at 904-451-9785; RSitnik@Gilbaneco.com. Ryan is pictured on the right in this “Lunch with Les” photo. 

Bob Massey Carries On Family Tradition of Autos, Real Estate And Rotary

When you mention the Massey family, and you are a Jacksonville native like me, you first think of the Massey Auto Dealerships. But if you are newer to the Northeast Florida market, you may know them to be in commercial real estate as Massey Properties. And then when you think of the last two generations of Massey’s, you can’t help but think of their work with Rotary. I had lunch with Bob Massey, who I have known from South Jax Rotary Club for years. But I didn’t realize that he has carried on the family tradition, not just with Rotary, but also as president of Massey Properties and as a partner in the Orlando Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep/RAM dealership. Armed with accounting and real estate experience with two national firms, Bob moved back to Jacksonville from Dallas to help his family transform their former auto dealerships around the state into a successful real estate business. I have found that if you need information regarding auto dealerships, commercial real estate or taking an active role with Rotary, Bob is certainly the “go-to” guy. His website is masseyjax.com. Bob is on the right in this “Lunch with Les” photo.

ReStores Managers On A Mission For Habijax

Keith Coles and Mike Calder, store managers for the HabiJax ReStores are on a mission. Mike was a Wall Street broker and a restaurant owner in New York. Keith has over 35 years in every kind of retail position for Kohl’s, Kmart and Roses in Chicago. But they both wanted to go after a mission. They found it in Jacksonville - Mike at the 5800 Beach Boulevard store and Keith at the 6260 103^rdStreet store. Their mission is to apply their retail talent to making the ReStores a primary destination for building supplies and making the stores profitable enough to help finance homes built by Habijax. “While we accept donations of slightly used goods, we are now also buying new merchandise to provide quality and consistency for products ranging from rugs to mattresses to paint to tools,” Keith reported. “And we feel this retail environment is a big win for everyone. Contractors and customers can get the lowest prices in town. By reselling donated items we send less to the landfill. And our store profits help build homes for those who couldn’t normally afford one,” Mike said. Before you go to a big box store, you should check out the ReStores or visit Habijax.org/restore. Mike is on the left and Keith is on the right in this “Lunch with Les” photo.

Central Bank Selects Chris Tomlinson As Senior Vice President GGL Loan Officer

Chris Tomlinson has been selected as Senior Vice President GGL (Government Guaranteed Lender) Loan Officer for Central Bank announced John Thompson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Central Bank.

Tomlinson, based out of Central Bank’s St. Augustine branch, will be working primarily in the Northeast Florida market, offering customized financial services through SBA Lending Express, 7A and USDA lending vehicles to area businesses.

Prior to joining Central Bank, Tomlinson served as the Market Executive North Florida Region for Abundant Solutions Finance. He started his banking career in 2005 in Gainesville, Florida, as a financial business specialist with Wachovia. He has served in various commercial banking positions with financial institutions including BBVA Compass, Bank of America and Chase.

“Companies located in North Florida and those moving to North Florida are seeing a need for government supported financing to assist their growth and expansion plans,” explained Thompson. “Chris has had extensive experience with every type of government loan. He knows the pitfalls and he knows how to expedite the process to give our customers a real advantage with their lending issues. We are very fortunate to have Chris join Central Bank.”

Central Bank (centralbankfl.com), with headquarters in Tampa and branches in Winter Park and St. Augustine, Florida, is a full service, independently owned Florida community bank offering personal and business banking services. Central Bank has a 5 Star rating from Bauer Financial Rating Agency.

Turning A Manufacturing Company From $1.3 Million To $26 Million Leads To Purchase Of Sports Teams

If you think hockey is tough, try getting 50+ products on the shelves in Wal-Mart, Dick’s Sporting Goods and L.L.Bean. That’s what Andy Kaufmann, the new owner of the Jacksonville Icemen hockey franchise, did to build a company from $1.3 million to $26 million in 6 years. Andy started a Jacksonville based manufacturer from scratch by branding a product line, with a different twist - selling outdoor and camping equipment under the “survival” brand and using unique packaging. His branding strategy, along with his management style of leading left to right, instead of top to bottom, allowed him to sell his company, UST Brands, and then change his life direction to owning the Fort Myers Miracle minor league baseball team and now the Icemen. His favorite product breakthrough was an outdoor lantern that was powered to stay lit for 30 straight days, which won a Popular Mechanics award. He tells entrepreneurs, even if their product or service is common or average, determine a different way to brand and market their business. In addition, always try to offer a solution to a problem. Visit his teams’ websites at Jacksonvilleicemen.com and miraclebaseball.com. Andy is pictured on the left in this “Lunch with Les” photo.    

UNF Business Dean Dawkins Focuses Academics On The Needs Of Northeast Florida Businesses

When you consider hiring a University of North Florida graduate, consider this 1) 80% of graduates stay in the region after graduation; 2) they tend to have a stronger work ethic because 60-70% work their way through school; and 3) UNF entering freshman average a 4.31 GPA, second only to UF at 4.34. Much of the credit for preparing this workforce for Northeast Florida businesses goes to Mark Dawkins, Dean of UNF’s Coggin College of Business (CCB). His mission is to understand the business community’s needs for skilled labor, provide the appropriate curriculum, implement an effective internship for hands-on experience, and now, to provide investment and start-up resources through its new Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI). Just look at a few of CCB’s results to date: the establishment of Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Management, M.S. in Logistics & Supply Management, M.S. in Business Analytics; Faculty engagement with companies such as the Mayo Clinic and Crowley Maritime; and Securing the $1 million Coggin grant for the CEI. If you have any need or interest in UNF Business, contact Mark at mark.dawkins@unf.edu.