Name: Ken Jacobs
Age: 40
Family: Wife of 14 years, Allison; 10 year-old daughter, Sarah; 7 year-old son, Joshua
Pets: Tropical fish
Education: Duke University (Economics/Computer Science Double Major) Bachelor of Arts, 1989; University of Florida College of Law, Juris Doctor 1992
Employer: Managing Shareholder of GrayRobinson’s Jacksonville office
Field of practice: Business litigation, bankruptcy law, employment law
Professional Organizations: Board of Governors, Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce; Jacksonville Bar Association; Jacksonville Bankruptcy Bar Association
Community Involvement: Immediate Past President, Jewish Community Alliance; Leadership Jacksonville Class of 2005; board member, Jacksonville Jewish Foundation
How did you get involved?
When I moved to Jacksonville after graduating law school, the JCA was extremely welcoming to me. It provided a “neighborhood” where I met some of my best friends in the community, including my wife through a JCA program. Since then, my kids have attended school and camp there. It is the place where they learned how to swim, where my son learned to play ball and where my daughter learned to perform on stage in the theater program. It is also the place where my entire family exercises, attends book, music and art festivals, and comes together for holiday and community-wide programs.
Why did you get involved?
Because the JCA had meant so much to me, I wanted to give back to the agency as a member of its board of directors. After serving for several years on the board, we realized that our membership was expanding very rapidly, from just 1,200 families when I joined, to over 2,200 families. However, the JCA had gone 15 years from its inception without a major building renovation, and the needs of our expanding membership had outgrown the existing facility. Upon becoming president, I led a three-year capital campaign which resulted in a $4.5 million renovation and expansion of the entire JCA campus. We built a new weight room, group exercise room, educational wing, and expanded programming space.
What have you learned/achieved through the experience?
When I first saw the plans for the construction, the project seemed like an impossible dream. However, throughout the capital campaign, I was amazed by the generosity of the Jacksonville community, as well as the dedication of its leaders. I learned that through hard work and persistence, anything is possible. Now when I walk through our new facility, I am truly proud of what we were able to accomplish. It is extremely gratifying to be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
What was the last book you read or are reading?
“Journey into Power” by Baron Baptiste. (I have become hooked on yoga through my classes at the JCA.)