William “Bill” Harrell Jr., a well-known figure in the Northeast Florida legal community, died at his home Saturday surrounded by family following a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 70 years old.
Harrell is best known for founding and leading Harrell & Harrell, a personal injury law firm with 18 attorneys and 100 employees that has served the region for more than 25 years.
He was born Oct. 18, 1946, in Lake City and followed in his father’s footsteps attending the University of Florida on a football scholarship.
After a career-ending knee injury as a freshman, Harrell followed another family tradition and enlisted in the U.S. Army as an infantryman. He was later appointed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
After completing his military service, Harrell returned to the University of Florida where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. In 1971 he married Marsha McLendon Harrell.
He put himself through law school at the University of Florida while working as a deputy sheriff for the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, graduating in 1974. He also was inducted into the University of Florida Hall of Fame.
After law school, Harrell started a firm in Melbourne that became the largest multispecialty law firm on Central Florida’s East Coast.
In 1991, Harrell and his family moved to Jacksonville and started Harrell & Harrell, P.A. There, he practiced law with two of his four children, Holt and Julie, and his second wife of nearly 20 years, Renee Daigle Harrell.
The American Public Transportation Association board elected Jacksonville Transportation Authority CEO Nathaniel Ford as chairman for the upcoming year.
The assocation works to advance public transportation and members are public entities providing bus, light rail, commuter rail, subway and waterborne passenger services, as well as high-speed rail and paratransit services.
Ford’s career spans more than three decades, including a combined 16 years as CEO of the JTA (2012-present), the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (2006-11), and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (2000-06).
Jacksonville homebuilder Providence Homes has received the 2017 Energy Star Market Leader award for the eighth year.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Certified Homes program presents Market Leader Awards to partners that have made important contributions to energy-efficient construction and environmental protection.
This year, Providence Homes was recognized for building 173 Energy Star-Certified Homes in 2016, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 293 metric tons.
“In 2009, we made the decision to focus our business on constructing only 100 percent Energy Star Certified Homes,” says Sean Junker, president of Providence Homes. “It’s a standard that we continue to strive for year after year.”
Stellar founder Ronald Foster has been inducted into the University of Florida’s M.E. Rinker Sr. School of Construction Management Construction Hall of Fame.
The induction recognizes Foster’s achievements during his 40 years in the construction industry.
In 1985 he founded Stellar, a Jacksonville-based firm focused on design, engineering, construction and mechanical services worldwide.
Today, the company has nearly 50 support locations in the United States and internationally. It employs more than 800 and has annual revenue exceeding $800 million.
Instead of tailgating, Jacksonville sports and entertainment fans can join the “railgating” experience offered by Adams Street Station.
The 25 renovated rail cars at Adams Street Station, 1738 E. Adams St., are within walking distance of EverBank Field, Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, Metropolitan Park and Daily’s Place.
The cars sit on railroad tracks and sell for $175,000 to $360,000.
“This is a unique experience. The rail cars can be used not only for game day fun, but also for business meetings or other functions,” said Michael Parrish, director of marketing.
Adams Street Station includes club cars, cabooses and parlor cars.
Amenities include a covered pavilion with restrooms to accommodate parties, cookouts and game day gatherings; controlled entry access; period-style lighting and signage; a raised terrace for outdoor entertainment space; and reserved parking.
For more information, email [email protected] or visit www.adamsstreetstation.com
Franklin Street named Josh Dohring as associate director, retail leasing.
Dohring specializes in retail tenant representation and development throughout Jacksonville and North Florida. Since 2006, he has participated in commercial real estate transactions including investment sales, leasing and property management.
Dohring held positions with major commercial brokerages in Seattle and Tampa.
For eight years, he was a principal with Dohring Group, a Tampa-based firm focused on commercial real estate appraisals, brokerage services, evaluations and consulting.
He relocated to Jacksonville from Seattle.
Jacksonville restaurant TacoLu, founded by Don and Debbie Nicol in 2008, was the winner of the inaugural Web.com Small Business of the Tournament award given at the Web.com Championship tournament at Atlantic Beach Country Club. The award recognizes local businesses that are deeply ingrained within their community and their local Web.com tournament.
“The little taco shack that could” moved to a larger location within five years of opening and was featured on The Travel Channel show “Food Paradise.” The restaurant is at 1712 Beach Blvd. in Jacksonville Beach.
