Shantel Davis
Fred Franklin Jr.
Chris Hand
Chuck Wodehouse
Michael Abel
Peter Blumeyer
Maggie Hightower
Mark C. Preston
Michael Schmidt
Mara Walker
Heather Fisse
Steve McInall
Promotions, hirings and happenings for business people in Northeast Florida. Send items to [email protected]
• The Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute added five members to its board of advisers:
Shantel Davis, vice president of real estate and facility management at CSX; received an MBA from JU in 2006.
Fred Franklin Jr., managing director of Rogers Towers and chairman of the law firm’s board of directors; received a bachelor’s degree in political science at JU in 1977.
Chris Hand, partner at Hand Law.
Steve McInall, vice president of energy and water planning at JEA; received a master of public policy at JU in 2019.
Chuck Wodehouse, retired president of CSX Technology
• The Northeast Florida Regional Council Regional Leadership Academy graduated its 14th class:
Tyler Nolen, regional planner with the council; Susan Grich, president and CEO of the Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida; Lori Boyer, CEO of the Downtown Investment Authority; Christine Hoffman, director of Beaches Museum and History Park and a Jacksonville Beach City Council member; Dave Rogers, vice chair of St. Johns County Soil and Water Conservation District 5; Taco Pope, assistant county manager, Nassau County; and Robbi Correa, president of Revitalize Historic Palatka.
• Jacksonville Country Day School added four members to the board of trustees:
Michael Abel, co-founder of Abel Bean Law.
Peter Blumeyer, attorney at Holland & Knight LLP.
Maggie Hightower, chief philanthropy officer at Nemours Children’s Health System
Mark C. Preston, works with Habitat for Humanity of Jacksonville and the Ronald McDonald House.
Michael Schmidt, owner of The Bearded Pig and Rec Room restaurants and Tomo Development.
• Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Rod Odom and reappointed Laura DiBella to the Florida State College at Jacksonville district board of trustees for four-year terms. Odom, of Yulee, is a retired AT&T Southeast CEO. DiBella, of Fernandina Beach, is the port director for Fernandina Ocean Highway and Port Authority. She has served as executive director of the Nassau County Economic Development Board since 2014 and has been a member of the Florida State College at Jacksonville Business Advisory Program Committee since 2016. The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
• Habitat for Humanity of Jacksonville promoted five staff members:
Tom Cassaro is director of construction. He was a construction superintendent.
Chris Folds is vice president of fund development and communications. Folds was director of fund development.
Candace Johnson is communications and marketing manager. She was communications and marketing coordinator.
Michael Kearney is chief financial officer. He was vice president of finance administration.
Angela Leatherbury is chief operating officer. She was chief programs officer.
• Mind Body and Beyond Center added two holistic wellness team members:
Heather Fisse joined as a licensed mental health counselor and registered yoga teacher.
Mara Walker joined as a certified professional life and career coach.
