by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
One mayoral appointee is stepping down of his own free will and the other resigned under the cloud of an FBI investigation. Still, Mayor John Peyton said the potential appointments of Helen Rowan to the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission and Herschel Vinyard to the Jacksonville Port Authority’s board of directors will prove beneficial to both organizations.
“These are two good appointments and two good people,” said Peyton. “We are proud of both of these appointments.”
Rowan is the senior vice president of strategic planning for Rayonier, Inc. The company deals primarily in timber, real estate and performance fibers. It’s company headquarters are in Jacksonville and there are four other domestic offices and five international offices.
Pending City Council approval — resolutions pertaining to Rowan and Vinyard were both introduced to Council Tuesday night — Rowan will take the place of Joe Barrow and fill his unexpired term until Sept. 30, 2009.
“Ms. Rowan has got a tremendous background in business strategy and represents an organization that has its corporate headquarters here,” said Peyton. “She has a very distinguished resume in business and I think she’ll bring sound business judgment to the JEDC.”
Prior to joining Rayonier in November 2007, Rowan was president and CEO of her own consulting firm. She has also been an executive with Bombardier Capital and Barnett Banks, which is now Bank of America. Rowan could not be reached for comment.
Vinyard will replace Tony Nelson on the JPA board. Nelson has been under investigation by the FBI for several months and resigned from the Port’s board a couple of months ago. Vinyard is vice president of governmental affairs for Atlantic Marine Holding Company and an attorney. It’s his experience in the maritime industry — and the need to have a solid, seven-member board at such a critical juncture for the Port Authority — that led Peyton to nominate Vinyard.
“He’s not only a lawyer, but he has deep knowledge in the maritime business through Atlantic Marine,” said Peyton. “He brings strong business acumen to the job. We are trying to connect people with industry knowledge to the Port.”
Vinyard is also a member for the JEDC and may become the first to sit simultaneously on two major boards. Those boards include the JEDC, JPA, JTA, JEA and Jacksonville Aviation Authority. Vinyard says he doesn’t see any conflict of interest. He admits life will be busy, but he’s looking forward to serving on the Port’s board during such an important era in Port history.
“It’s a natural fit to lend my maritime experience to the board,” he said. “Obviously, the board, (Port Authority Executive Director) Rick Ferrin and his team have done an incredible job of marketing the benefits of the Port. They have done that to all ends of the earth.
“I can’t wait to get started.”
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