by Fred Seely
Editorial Director
Randy Evans is making a leap of faith ... literally.
The commercial realtor will leave his partnership with Cantrell Real Estate Inc. on Hogan Street to become president of USA Ministries, a division of the faith-based FreshMinistries.
Evans, a former CSX executive who lately has been recognized for developing the Adams Street Station development of railroad cars near Alltel Stadium, will join the Jacksonville-based non-profit in a month.
“FreshMinistries’ international work, particularly the programs to address the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa, has grown so much that they felt it was time to start a program dedicated to domestic work,” said Evans. “I’ll be working in three areas: to help existing activities, to develop more projects in the Jacksonville area and to work with the Diocese of Florida to perhaps develop projects elsewhere in the state.”
FreshMinistries is an outreach project of the Episcopal diocese but is a separate non-profit without any legal connection. It is headquartered on North Laura Street.
Rev. Dr. Robert V. Lee, the founding chairman and chief executive officer of FreshMinistries, said “I am thankful that Randy feels called to do this work that restores, hope, spirit and community for so many. His qualifications, talent and dedication to service to others will serve him and FreshMinistries well as he heads all FreshMinistries programs in the United States.”
The two met when Evans chaired HabiJax and Lee was on the board.
“We started talking during the Christmas holidays about the job,” said Evans, “and finally we both agreed that it was a good fit.
“I’ve really enjoyed my one-year partnership with Heyward Cantrell, who I consider a great professional as well as a great business partner.”
In 2003, Evans left CSX Transportation, where he had been in charge of all real estate and industrial development for the railroad in 23 states and the District of Columbia.
A graduate of Princeton University with a bachelor’s degree in science and engineering, Evans also earned a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. He worked for the state of Maryland in its Economic and Employment Development program and later was the executive director of the non-profit organization, Richmond Renaissance, in downtown Richmond, Va.