Marvin Cecil “Ceree” Harden III died Aug. 14 after a private battle with ALS. He was 70.
Born in Jacksonville on May 4, 1953, Harden joined his father’s insurance agency, Harden & Associates, in 1976 after graduating from the University of Florida with a degree in finance.
Harden sold the agency in December 2020 to Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. The agency M.C. Harden Jr. established in 1953 became part of Gallagher’s Southeast division, and Harden III was named area chairman for Gallagher.
During his career, he was on the board of directors for many business and civic organizations including FPIC Insurance Group, the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, JAX Chamber and Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville.
He was a First Coast Business Hall of Fame inductee and a recipient of the Hope Award, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s highest honor for outstanding civic and community service.
JAXUSA Partnership, the economic development division of JAX Chamber, held a moment of silence Aug. 15 in honor of Harden, who chaired the chamber in 1999.
Here is a look at some of the biggest deals and people who made headlines in 2023.
Top Deals:
Ponte Vedra Inn & Club wins approval to start expansion, renovations. Story here
ICE finalizes its $11.9 billion acquisition of Black Knight Inc. Story here
‘Stadium of the Future’ plans are unveiled by the Jaguars. Story here
Gateway Jax plans $500 million Downtown project in NorthCore. Story here
Aldi buying Winn-Dixie, Harveys parent Southeastern Grocers. Story here
Regency Centers buys Urstadt Biddle in $1.4 billion deal. Story here
Top Newsmakers:
Donna Deegan makes history as Jacksonville’s first female mayor. Story here
Bryan Moll poised to help revitalize Downtown with Gateway Jax. Story here
Nick Allard guides JU College of Law toward new Downtown campus. Story here
Aundra Wallace an assured but low-key leader in region’s growth. Story here
Obituaries of 2023:
Activist and community advocate Ben Frazier. Story here
Beaver Street Fisheries Chairman Hans ‘Harry’ Frisch. Story here