Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday presented the Governor’s Business Ambassador Award to Kathryn Murphy, owner of the Jacksonville franchise of Comfort Keepers.
The award recognizes individuals for their efforts in creating jobs in Florida.
Comfort Keepers provides in-home health care and living assistance. Murphy opened the franchise in 2002 and it’s grown from two to 75 employees. She opened a second location in 2007 and plans on opening a third next month.
“We are in a persistent mode to hire the most dedicated, motivated and professional home-care providers to meet the growing need for our services,” Murphy said in a news release. “The more qualified staff I can hire, the more needs of the community I can meet while at the same time providing employment for many individuals.”
The company was one of three across the state to receive the recognition Tuesday.
Walmart hiring 95
Walmart will hire up to 95 associates to work at the new Walmart Neighborhood Market scheduled to open this year at 6855 Wilson Blvd., Suite 23.
Those interested can apply 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the hiring center at the store site. Applications are also accepted at careers.walmart.com.
The majority of the new hires will begin work next month to prepare the store for its grand opening.
Long field goals mean free Firehouse subs for Jags fans
Jacksonville Jaguars fans can score a free medium sub from Firehouse Subs each time the team kicks a field goal of at least 40 yards.
The “Field Goals for Firehouse” promotion is one of the programs the sandwich company has planned this football season.
Through the offer, Jaguars fans receive a free medium sub with the purchase of chips and a medium drink.
In addition, the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation will donate life-saving equipment to several Jacksonville-area public safety organizations during pregame festivities at the Oct. 19 matchup against the Cleveland Browns.
Sons of Norway to meet in Jacksonville
The 120-year-old Sons of Norway will hold its international lodge meeting today-Saturday at the Omni Hotel, bringing 250 registrants and 140 international delegates.
A regatta demonstration with 10th century replica Viking boats will be at the Jacksonville Landing from 5:30-7:30 p.m. today and Hagar, a replica Viking boat, is on display at the Omni through Sunday.
It’s the second time in the organization’s history that Florida will be the host site.
“This is an extraordinary economic development opportunity since most of the attendees have never visited Jacksonville,” said George Gabel, the Honorary Norwegian Consul.
So you think you can sing? Here's your chance
The Jacksonville Children’s Chorus and the Young Men’s Chorus of Jacksonville are auditioning students in grades one-12 for the upcoming season.
Students do not need to bring a prepared audition piece. A conductor will listen for the singer’s ability to match pitches, learn a simple tune and to hold his or her voice part against others, according to a news release.
Open auditions are Thursday, Aug. 26 and Aug. 28. Auditions are by appointment only.
Call (904) 356-1636 to request an audition time or visit jaxchildrenschorus.org or youngmenschorusjax.org for information.
Stewart to lead Florida Airports Council
Michael Stewart, Jacksonville Aviation Authority external affairs director, has been elected president of the Florida Airports Council. The election came at the group’s conference in Jacksonville.
Stewart joined the authority in 2004 and will serve a one-year term beginning Oct. 1. He’s the third authority executive to serve in the role since 1971.
The council is an association of publicly owned and operated aiports, airport professionals and experts in airport design, development and improvement among others.
It consists of 19 commercial airports, 76 general aviation airports and more than 250 corporate, affiliate, associate and educational members.
For more information, visit floridaairports.org.
Ed Jenkins named CSX vice president of market strategy and e-business
Clarence Gooden, CSX Corp. executive vice president and chief commercial officer, announced last week that Ed Jenkins has been appointed vice president of market strategy and e-business.
“Ed has led remarkable innovations in e-business tools and customer analytics that have helped propel CSX’s service insights and service culture and, in these areas, has set industry standards,” Gooden said in a news release.
Jenkins has been with CSX for almost 30 years and held positions in operations, sales, marketing a strategy. He was appointed assistant vice president for market strategy and e-business in 2004 after a previous appointment in 2000.
He has a bachelor’s degree in marketing management from Virginia Tech and a master’s of management in transportation, finance and marketing from Northwestern University.
Mayo Clinic's stroke center earns national certification
Mayo Clinic’s stroke center in Jacksonville is the first in the state to earn national comprehensive stroke center certification.
The certification created in 2012 is awarded by The Joint Commission, working with the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association, according to a news release.
Mayo was certified after an on-site review of how the facility treats patients with complex conditions, such as hemorrhagic stroke.
Joint Commission-certified comprehensive stroke centers are required to have:
• A dedicated neuro-intensive care unit
• A high volume of stroke cases
• Advanced resources for the acute treatment of stroke patients available 24 hours a day
• Advanced neuro-diagnostic tools
• Certified vascular neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuro-radiologists and vascular surgeons
• Advanced practice nurses
• A system that optimizes the benefits of carotid artery procedures
• Participation in stroke research
Mayo Clinic’s stroke center offers clinical trials providing the latest therapies for acute stroke, carotid artery disease, cerebral aneurysms and other complex cerebrovascular diseases. Additionally, the center engages in research looking at the underlying causes and genetic factors surrounding these conditions.
Veteran public relations expert Amy Rankin starts own firm
Amy Rankin has opened her own public relations and fund development messaging practice, Cause to Communicate.
Her focus will be assisting nonprofits in the areas of market research, marketing and collateral development, public relations, special event management, social media and fund development messaging. Rankin most recently was director of public relations at ruckus. advertising + public relations.
Rankin’s career in public relations began in sports public relations where she worked for the World Football League, North American Soccer League, player agent Donald Dell, and the Jacksonville Tea Men soccer team. She spent 11 years at St. John & Partners where she was vice president of public relations and branded accounts. She moved to Scott-McRae Advertising where for 12 years she served as vice president of the agency and a member of the Scott-McRae Group’s Executive Management Council and Foundation.
Her client list includes the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and Ability Housing of Northeast Florida.
For more information about Cause to Communicate, visit Facebook.com/CausetoCommunicate.
Grand opening for 121 Financial Credit Union branch
121 Financial Credit Union will hold a grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. today for its relocated Intracoastal branch at 3475 Kernan Blvd. S.
The 4,164-square-foot office offers full banking services, including three drive-thru lanes, a 24-hour drive-up ATM and safe deposit boxes.
Branch manager Dale Moitt said the ceremony will include food and giveaways. “We want to use this opportunity for the public to visit our facilities and see the newest conveniences we offer our members,” he said.
121 Financial Credit Union, established in 1935, has more than 36,000 members. For more information, visit 121fcu.org.