As I was reviewing the upcoming voting ballot for the 2009-2010 year of the Jacksonville Bar Association, I realized how strong the leadership of our bar will be next year and beyond. From soon to be President Dan Bean, to unopposed President-Elect Courtney Grimm, to the nine candidates for the six open Board of Governor seats, the JBA will be in great hands. The following is my preview of the candidates:
2009 – 2010 JBA President Daniel K. Bean –Holland & Knight, LLP
Dan Bean is bright, funny, has a military work ethic and is a great leader. To those of you that know Dan well, it is no surprise that he already has almost all of next year planned, the dates and locations of most JBA events secured, and the majority of his luncheon speakers confirmed. I have no doubt he will be one of the best JBA Presidents in the 112 year history of our organization. The JBA will benefit from Dan’s many years of service in the U.S. Navy as a JAG officer and now Captain. However, the beginning of our transition has had a few hiccups. First of all, Dan has already installed his name plate on the President’s office door at the JBA. He is making all associates at H&K refer to him as “Mr. President.” Of course, if he is in his dress military uniform, they must call him “Captain President Bean.” While I just recently witnessed this, apparently it has been going on for months. Last Tuesday was rather awkward when I was trying to get some meaningful JBA work done at the bar office and Dan showed up with members from his various transition teams! He had a “Bringing Humor Back To The JBA Team,” which consisted of Brad Johnson, Graham Allen and Robert Devine. There was a “Social and Event Planning Team” led by T.J. Fraser and the real Troy Smith (whichever one that is). The Executive Office of the President Team consisted of only Theo Johns, who I suspect moonlights as an interior designer. Dan even brought his security detail. He had Mike Crumpler, Mike Debski and recent black belt recipient Scott Schuler as muscle in case things got ugly. When I explained he was only going to be the JBA President and a Transition Team was not necessary, Dan said “practice makes perfect.” Little known fact: Although Dan Bean is a Vanderbilt alumnus, rumor has it that he has forgiven the University of Florida for rejecting him and was seen at the BCS National Championship Game in January wearing Gator colors and cheering for Florida to beat Oklahoma.
2009 – 2010 Pres.-Elect Courtney Grimm –Bedell, Dittmar, DeVault, Pillens & Coxe, P.A.
Courtney Grimm has been serving the JBA on the Board of Governors and through the JBA Young Lawyers Section for well over a decade. She also served on the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Board of Governors and was a Delegate to the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division. Courtney is detail oriented and a great leader. She brings her many experiences with non-profit organizations to the table and will be a fantastic JBA President. Little known fact: Courtney is an avid equestrian. She and her daughters own horses and ride in competitions on a regular basis.
2009 – 2010 Board of Governor Candidates Geddes D. Anderson Jr. – Murphy & Anderson, P.A.
Geddes has been a member of the JBA Board of Governors for three years. Prior to that, he served in numerous elected positions with the JBA Young Lawyers Section, including President in 2006. Geddes has been in charge of Membership for the JBA since 2008 and has helped us improve member benefits and stay well over 2000 members, even in these difficult financial times. Little known fact: Thanksgiving has been tough at the Anderson household for the last several years. Geddes is a double Gator, but married a FSU alum. They apparently just agree to not speak to each other from November 15 – December 15 of each year.
Michelle Bedoya Barnett – Holland & Knight, LLP
Michelle is a rising star in the Jacksonville legal community and at Holland & Knight. She has served for the last two years on the JBA YLS Board of Governors and has done a great job as the Social Chair for the YLS. Michelle also serves on Holland & Knight’s National Diversity Committee and was a panelist for the JBA’s Diversity Symposium in February. Little known fact: Michelle is following in her famous mother-in-law’s footsteps. The word on the street is that she will soon make a power play for managing partner of H&K’s global operations.
Tammy D. Butler – CSX
A member of the JBA BOG for four years, Tammy has served as chair of numerous committees for the JBA and the D.W. Perkins Bar Association. Prior to joining the “Big Board” in 2005, Tammy was elected to the JBA Young Lawyers Section Board of Governors. Tammy is currently spearheading the release of a brand new JBA website soon. Little Known Fact: Despite graduating from the University of Georgia and marrying a former UGA football player, Tammy is a closet Gator fan. This can only be witnessed when her daughter is around mixed company and she belts out a “Go Gators” or does the Chomp. I wonder where Tia learned those skills?
Katie Dearing – Liles, Gavin, Constantino & George
Katie is currently a member of the Board of Governors as the JBA Young Lawyers Section President. She has been serving the JBA as an elected YLS Board member or officer since 2003. In addition, Katie has been active in the Florida Bar, serving on the Professionalism and Judicial Independence Committees. She was also a member of the Jacksonville Ethics Commission from 2003 to 2007. Little known facts: Katie is a double Gator and a huge sports fan. Katie and her husband Dan have been to the last two winter Olympics and are going to the next Winter Olympics to see a friend of theirs compete in the bobsled event for the U.S. Team.
G. Ray Driver Jr. – Driver, McAfee, Peek & Hawthorne, PL
Ray has been serving on the JBA Board of Governors for six years. Prior to that he was elected to the JBA YLS Board of Governors from 2000 until 2003, when he served as President. He has been working to redraft the JBA’s corporate governance documents to be approved by the membership this year and has been an asset to the local community. Ray is a Trustee for the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce and has served on many non-profit boards. Little known fact: Ray apparently has the quintessential southern voice. He has actually consulted famous actors on how to sound like a southern gentleman.
Christa Figgins – Jacksonville Area Legal Aid
Christa has not formerly been elected to any positions with the JBA. However, we have benefitted greatly from her leadership and efforts on numerous committees. She has served on the Law Week Committee since 2006, and the Judicial Relations and Diversity Committees since 2008. Christa has co-chaired the Professionalism Committee and co-produced the JBA/JALA Lawyer Variety Show. She has tremendous energy and cares about the JBA, the community and people in general. Little known fact: Christa has spearheaded the Law Week donations for the Sulzbacher Center and Duval County Public Schools the last four years. During Law Week, she tirelessly places most of the collection boxes and then drives around to pick them up and deliver the donations to those in need.
W. Braxton Gillam IV – Milam Howard Nicandri Dees & Gillam, P.A.
Braxton has been an active member of the JBA Board of Governors for the last five years. Prior to that, he was elected to several positions in the JBA Young Lawyers Section from 1999 through 2004, when he became YLS President. This year he has been working with Ray Driver to redraft the JBA’s corporate governance documents to be approved by the membership. Braxton is actively engaged in his church and the local Republican Party. Little known fact: Braxton intends on running for political office and is worried about the ramifications of not being able to win his re-election to the JBA Board of Governors.
Michael D. McCoy – Marks Gray
Mike has only been on the BOG for one year, but he has been contributing to the JBA on several committees since 2005. Most notably, he has chaired the JBA Holiday Project since 2007. He also serves on the Pro Bono Committee and is the JBA Board of Governors liaison to the 2009 Law Week Committee. Mike has been a great addition to the JBA Board of Governors this year. Little known facts: Mike is a double Gator and an avid runner/marathoner.
Glenn Warren – Harris Guidi Rosner Dunlap Rudolph, P.A.
Glenn ran for the Board of Governors last year and lost by a very small margin. Although he has not served on the Board, he has been very active in the JBA and our community. Glenn has served on the Law Week Committee and chaired the JBA Social Committee for the last two years. He has also held several officer and Board positions with the Catholic Lawyers Guild, including President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. Glenn participates in the Guardian ad Litem program as well. Glenn would make a great addition to the JBA Board of Governors. Little known facts: Glenn serves on the Gator Bowl Committee. In his past lives, he was a nationally ranked racquetball player and a State Farm Adjuster.
As you can see, the Jacksonville Bar Association is in great shape for a long time with these leaders. All of the above officers and BOG candidates are duly qualified and well suited for leadership positions with the JBA. I am really excited about next year, not just because I will be the immediate past president, but to see what Dan, Courtney and the JBA Board of Governors can accomplish. Please be sure to either vote online or come to the Annual Golf Outing and Meeting May 21, at Deerwood to cast your vote.