by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
Carol Thompson has resigned from her position on the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission. Susan Hartley will serve out her term and Ceree Harden is expected to fill the vacancy created when former JEDC Chairman Leerie Jenkins resigned.
Thompson is the executive vice president of Baptist Health and was recently appointed to the University of North Florida’s Board of Trustees by Gov. Jeb Bush. In a letter to Mayor John Delaney dated Nov. 29, Thompson said the combination of her civic, community and businesses responsibilities makes it impossible to also remain on the JEDC.
“She will finish her term and move on,” said Audrey Moran, Delaney’s chief of staff. “Susan Hartley has agreed to accept her position. She is a small business owner and we will introduce legislation for her.”
Hartley owns H & R Coffee Co. and joins Kathy Barco, Lewis Siplin, Chipper Hall, Jim Citrano and Chairman Fred Newbill on the commission. If and when Harden accepts Delaney’s appointment to the commission, the body will have a full complement of seven members for the first time since Jenkins resigned last May.
Moran said the only thing standing between Harden joining the JEDC is a meeting with JEDC executive director Kirk Wendland.
“He wants to sit down with Kirk and get an idea of what the vision is for the JEDC,” said Moran. “He’s interested in the position and we are very interested in him.”
It seems only logical for Harden to follow in Jenkins’ footsteps to the Commission. In 1998, Jenkins served as chairman of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. The next year, Harden served in the same capacity.
Harden owns Harden & Associates, an insurance firm, and is the brother of attorney and lobbyist Paul Harden.
Moran said she expected to hear back from Harden within a few days. After that, Hartley and Harden need only the approval of City Council to become the newest members of the JEDC.