by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
Even though Jarik Conrad wasn’t looking for a new job, a position opened that gave him an opportunity to help change people’s lives in Duval County.
On April 1, Conrad began his new job at The Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce and he took his first step as the executive director of Blueprint for Prosperity with the goal to help raise per capita income in Duval County. Blueprint for Prosperity is based on what the citizens say that they want the city to be like, he said.
“We think this is the most comprehensive plan ever done for this city,” said Conrad. “It’s a challenge, but the difference between this and some typical strategic plans is that there is a committed focus on implementation and we will partner with several organizations who are already doing great work to get Blueprint implemented.”
Conrad’s background is in human resources, having worked with several Fortune 500 companies. In August 2004, he began his own business in Jacksonville called Conrad Consulting Group, which is a human resources/ leadership consulting business, he said. Even with his new job he still has his company, but has altered what he does.
Chamber President Wally Lee called upon Conrad to handle Blueprint for Prosperity having already known Conrad and his background.
Conrad said the project is based on six foundation areas: education, infrastructure, economic development, racial opportunity and harmony, leadership and quality of life that includes public safety and health care.
A big piece of the puzzle that Conrad was able to relate to is racial opportunity and harmony.
“Per capita income between Native Americans and Whites is 46.16 percent,” he said. “This is also a personal mission. I can give back to the African-American community as well as the broader community.”
Having grown up in East St. Louis, Ill., which has been classified as the poorest city in America, Conrad sees this project as a way to reach out into the community.
“Through this process I want to reach out to those people and inspire them. We are looking for diversity of all types,” he said. “All inner-city communities are facing similar challenges. In a way I feel like I am giving back to East St. Louis.”
Currently community meetings are being held throughout Duval County where the community is invited to voice their opinions about Jacksonville.
After the first community meeting on Monday, Conrad said everyone was very enthusiastic, but Blueprint organizers would like more people to attend.
“It is very easy to complain; we are giving the community a forum,” he said.
So far, trying to boost attendance at the meetings is Conrad’s biggest challenge
“If we can have 10,000 people at a football game, we should have at least 10,000 coming to the meetings to help improve the city,” said Conrad.
The idea for Blueprint for Prosperity came around about the same time the Super Bowl was here in February.
“The Super Bowl came, there was a lot of hype, then what were we going to do after the Super Bowl?” he said. “It was a prime time to move the city to the next level.”
After the Super Bowl, the world had seen Jacksonville, he said.
“We asked how can Jacksonville be like that all the time,” said Conrad. “How can we make Jacksonville better for new people coming in and for those who are already here?”
For Duval County, Blueprint for Prosperity was what it needed. By February 2006 the final blueprint will be completed and it will implemented for five years, Conrad said.
Between Blueprint for Prosperity and his own company, Conrad is finishing up his doctorate in educational leadership at the University of North Florida. He completed is undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois and went to graduate school at Cornell where he earned his MBA and MILR, Master Industrial Labor Relations. He is also on the board of Community Connections, NCCJ, and the adult program development committee at Leadership Jacksonville.
He said he tries to spend as much of his free time with his wife Adrienne, who is a lawyer. Conrad also teaches courses at Jacksonville University and the University of North Florida and his goal is to help improve Duval County through Blueprint for Prosperity.
“It is made up of everyday citizens and corporate leaders,” Conrad said of Blueprint for Prosperity. “We want people who have something to share. We need the different perspectives and that is why it is unique.”