Jennifer Plotkin
Matt Welch
Kevin Copeland
Laura Montesantos
David Kerr
John Hirabayashi
Roger Rassman
Michael A. Mayo
Mike McCorvey
Jeff Thompson
Charles “Chip” Storey
Lucy Chen
Jennifer Barker
Gordon Steadman
Kate Swantak
St. Louis-based Cass Information Systems Inc. added Teresa Meares as vice president and general manager of its waste and sustainability management business based in Jacksonville. Cass provides transportation, energy, telecom and waste invoice payment and information services. Meares has more than 25 years of experience in leadership positions, most recently as senior director of operations for Fidelity National Information Services Inc.
VyStar Credit Union hired Lisa Cochran as chief information officer. She previously was managing director/chief operating officer and head of operations technology for Global Consumer Technology at Citigroup. She spent more than 28 years at companies such as Humana, Softcard, Bank of America and Lockheed Martin.
VyStar Credit Union hired Matt Brockelman as vice president of government affairs, a new position to manage and coordinate strategy and relations at the local, state and federal levels. He most recently was a partner at The Southern Group and also has served as a state lobbyist for the University of North Florida and spent time as a public affairs officer and mayoral aide for the city of Jacksonville.
First Florida Credit Union named Joe Markley as senior vice president of operations to manage the credit union’s branch operations statewide, which includes creating and executing business plans for each region in the market. He was promoted from his role as vice president of business services, which he held for the past three years. Before that, he served as a regional branch manager, managing the Jacksonville and Orlando branches.
The University of North Florida named Brian Verkamp as the university’s new vice president and chief information officer to be responsible for leading and managing all aspects of UNF’s information technology services and providing executive leadership and strategic vision for the institution’s technology infrastructure, assets, security and compliance programs and information services. Verkamp most recently served as chief information officer for Murray State University in Kentucky.
GreenPointe Holdings LLC named Patricia Nolan as in-house general counsel to manage legal issues on business transactions including development, land acquisitions, purchase contracts, corporate governance and other general corporate matters. She joins after working as a corporate lawyer with Barnett, Kirkwood, Koche, Long & Foster in Tampa. She joined as senior associate in 2018 and was promoted to partner in 2019. Before joining Barnett Kirkwood, Nolan was a senior corporate associate with Milam Howard Nicandri Dees & Gillam in Jacksonville. Her legal career began with McGuireWoods in Jacksonville.
Scott Hanigan joined the Heritage Capital Group Inc. investment banking and financial advisory firm as a principal to advise clients on mergers and acquisitions as well as provide strategic consulting. He has more than 35 years of lease management, real estate brokerage, and sales experience. He most recently was a real estate and business broker for MarketPoint Advisors LLC.
Jennifer Plotkin, senior vice president and senior relationship manager at Bank of America, was elected president of the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida. She leads a 10-member executive committee and board comprising Jewish community leaders from various professions.
Matt Welch has been named The Players Championship 2022 tournament chairman. He succeeds Troy Smith for the role that oversees the more than 1,500 volunteers who support the PGA Tour’s flagship event. Kevin Copeland has been appointed vice chairman, joining Houston Bowles, Lee Nimnicht, Tyler Oldenburg and Marc Hassan. The volunteer leadership team, commonly known as the Red and Blue Coats, manages the 47 committees responsible for the operations integral to the championship’s success. Welch retired in 2015 as president of Elkins Constructors Inc.
Forcura announced that Laura Montesantos joins as vice president of product management and David Kerr begins as vice president of engineering. Montesantos and Kerr will work together to build upon the health care technology company’s Care Coordination Platform. Montesantos is a lawyer with a master’s degree in health law. Kerr has an IT and operations background.
The League of Southeastern Credit Unions and Affiliates recognized Community First Credit Union as “Credit Union of the Year” for 2020. Community First was recognized as the top credit union in the largest category ($500 million in assets or more). This recognition is a first in the credit union’s 87-year history. John Hirabayashi is CEO and president. Roger Rassman is chief marketing officer.
Baptist Health President and CEO Michael A. Mayo was appointed as a state delegate of Regional Policy Board 4 (Southeastern United States) with the American Hospital Association, the national organization that represents hospitals and health care networks throughout the U.S. The appointment is effective through 2024.
FLCBank hired Mike McCorvey as chief credit officer to manage the bank’s commercial credit portfolio. He brings more than 37 years of experience in financial leadership, including commercial lending, bank operations, risk management, strategic planning and performance management.
The Jacksonville Historical Society named Jeff Thompson of Jacksonville and Charles “Chip” Storey of St. Augustine to its board of directors. Thompson is owner and president of Jeff Thompson Construction Co. Storey is a principal with Normal>Next, a network of executives, entrepreneurs and young leaders.
The Cathedral Arts Project appointed Lucy Chen as its first vice president of advocacy and community engagement. She has served as head of music programs for the Count Basie Center for the Arts and director of its Monmouth Conservatory for Music in Red Bank, New Jersey. Before that, she was chair of the music department and the Honors College at Edward Waters University.
The First Coast No More Homeless Pets board of directors elected Jennifer Barker as chief executive officer. Barker succeeds Rob Levine, who announced his intention to retire earlier this year. Levine will continue as a senior adviser through year-end.
Gordon Steadman joined the Jacksonville office of the Terracon national consulting engineering firm. He will manage business development, client relations and strategic planning for the Northeast Florida market. Steadman has more than 30 years of experience in the construction industry.
Kate Swantak was appointed national sales manager at Ponte Vedra Beach Resorts, which comprises the historic Ponte Vedra Inn & Club and its sister company The Lodge & Club Ponte Vedra Beach. Swantak previously was group sales manager for the Casa Monica hotel in St. Augustine. The Casa Monica is with the Marriott Autograph Collection, Kessler Collection.
Christian Guier joined the network of eye doctors at Florida Eye Specialists. He is a board-certified optometrist and specializes in general optometry, glaucoma, retina and oculoplastics.
Atlantic Logistics announced Darlene Batten was named accounting services manager. She will report to the company’s controller, Clayton Rowe, to help grow the organization with a focus on truckloads, flatbed, refrigerated, van and government transportation services. Batten is well known as Sister Batten and D. Tina Batten, a published author, playwright, director, actress, filmmaker, motivator, and spiritual leader.
The Urban Land Institute announced that Patrick Krechowski, partner at Balch & Bingham LLP, has been named chair-elect of the ULI North Florida District Council. The Urban Land Institute focuses on research and education in land use and real estate issues. He succeeds current Chair Tarik Bateh, JLL Capital Markets, as district council chair for a two-year term.
