Over 200 people attended the rededication ceremony last week for the old Prudential I building, now known as 841 Prudential Drive. William Nash Jr., who spent 38 years with Prudential, was presented with a proclamation from Mayor John Delaney recognizing his contributions to the city. Nash served as Prudential’s South Central president for eight years.
City Council member Reggie Fullwood presented the proclamation to Nash.
In 1955, the British government presented a 2.5 ton piece of the Rock of Gibraltar to the company, which was placed in the building’s lobby to recognize the company’s motto, “The Prudential has the Strength of Gibraltar.”
“This is a special day for me,” said Nash. “For years I had been using the expression, ‘Get a piece of the rock’ or ‘You are a piece of the rock’ and I wish I could take the rock home, but I can’t. I’m thrilled that it’s here. I remember when I started to work for Prudential and being invited down here in 1955 and what this meant when we saw it.”
According to the proclamation, the rock will be displayed in a place of prominence to be enjoyed by the people of Jacksonville.
Bill Shepro, senior vice president of Ocwen Asset Investment Corporation, the company that now owns the building said, “I am proud to own the building and to play a part in the revitalization of the building.”