Richard Lovelace is the assistant vice president of Batson-Cook Company, a local contracting company which is pursuing the contract to build the new Duval County Courthouse.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
His main focus is business development, monitoring employees who perform specific contract requirements, negotiating contracts, monitoring project status throughout construction and maintaining positive team relations and client satisfaction throughout the course of the project. “I develop new relationships and new clients through those relationships as well as identify leads and pursue opportunities.”
HOW DID YOU GET INTO DEVELOPMENT?
“I have worked with the company since I graduated from college. I have been there 13 years. Since I grew up in Jacksonville, I thought we needed to concentrate on developing Jacksonville.”
WHY DO YOU WANT THE COURTHOUSE PROJECT?
“I think it is going to be the signature project of the Better Jacksonville Plan and being able to be the construction manager of the signature project would be a great opportunity to build on our presence here in Jacksonville.”
DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT?
“Downtown redevelopment is very important. If we can avoid the urban sprawl and reuse existing land in lieu of taking green space, I think that is important part of any growing city. Having an active downtown is the key to any successfully growing city.”
WHAT MADE HIM INTERESTED IN CONSTRUCTION?
He worked for five years as a project administrator at JEA while in college. He was the owner’s representative at the St. Johns River Power Park while overseeing the construction in the areas of waste water treatment, painting, coal handling, surveying and testing. After college, he decided he wanted to stay in Jacksonville so he signed on with Batson-Cook.
CLIENTS?
The Duval County School Board, St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Target, Flagler College and Jacksonville University.
OTHER PROJECTS YOU HAVE WORKED ON IN JACKSONVILLE?
His company has worked on projects for the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind. They built the 550 Water Street building, original Blue Cross and Blue Shield on Riverside Avenue and the Salvation Army building in LaVilla.
COLLEGE
He has a bachelor’s degree in construction management from University of North Florida.
WHAT IS REWARDING ABOUT YOUR JOB?
“Actually pursuing and developing relationships. Seeing those relationships grow and seeing them come back to you repeatedly is rewarding.”
BIRTHPLACE
Jacksonville.
HIGH SCHOOL
Wolfson.
CIVIC INVOLVEMENT?
He is the chairman of the Cystic Fibrosis “Shoot for a Cure” fundraiser, a member of Rotary International Riverside chapter, Southside Businessmen’s Club, Associated General Contractors (he chairs the governmental and legislative oversight committee), North Florida Bike Club and is a Little League coach for the Creeks Athletic Association’s baseball and basketball teams.
DESIGNATIONS
He is a certified general contractor.
CHURCH
Mandarin Christian.
FAMILY
He has been married to Darlene, a homemaker, for 13 years. They have three children, Clayton, 7, and twins, Katie and Jacob, 4.
HOBBIES
Bicycling, including road riding and mountain biking and fishing.
FAVORITES
His favorite movie is “The Fugitive” and a book he recommends is “It’s Not About the Bike” by Lance Armstrong. When relaxing at home, he enjoys tuning into “Law and Order.” When dining out, it’s Outback Steakhouse. His vacation destination is the North Carolina mountains.
— by Michele Newbern Gillis