by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
A local business organization recently celebrated centuries of history and recognized those who helped it create some of its own.
The Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce of Northeast Florida was founded in 2008 in an effort to cultivate business relationships between the smallest island of the Greater Antilles and Jacksonville. It took time to recognize those business leaders who supported the founding of the Chamber and saw the importance of the economic change that could result from those relationships. That recognition was displayed in the “2009 Business Achievement Awards” presented by the Chamber at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Thursday.
“Our mission is to support and promote the Jacksonville and Northeast area as a vital market for business development, trade, tourism and cultural exchange between Puerto Rico and Jacksonville,” said Nilda Alejandro, president of the Chamber.
Those business leaders and businesses recognized for supporting that mission included: State Rep. Audrey Gibson, Mayor John Peyton, Sulzbacher Center President and CEO Audrey Moran, U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, Ed Gallegos of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, Scott Fernandez of Horizon Lines, Dwaine Stevens of Publix Supermarkets, Carlos Padial of Magic Transport, Vince Lopez of AT&T, Eduardo Vallardo of Bacardi Bottling Company, John Emery of Seastar Airlines, Joe Cruise of Trailer Bridge, Martha Barrett of Bank of America, Michelle Braun of Wachovia-Wells Fargo Bank, Jacksonville Aviation Authority Executive Director Steve Grossman, JTA Executive Director Michael Blaylock, Bobby Steele of Wal-Mart, Jim Gilmore of IG Solutions and Amy Boyson of Waste Management.
Moran pointed to the diversity of the business community as one of Jacksonville’s strengths.
“Together, we can accomplish anything,” said Moran. “Our strength is in our diversity.”
Gibson, who was recently elected chair of the Duval Delegation, is serving her last term due to term limits and urged the business leaders to get involved in government and contribute to the laws governing society.
“The Chamber is great for business,” said Gibson, “but this membership is also great for leadership. You need to get out and run for office. You can either be a decision maker or a person who has decisions made for them.”
Grossman hopes to help advance the business relationships between Puerto Rico and Jacksonville in the near future by offering nonstop flights between the two.
“I look forward to inviting you all, in the not too distant future, on the inaugural nonstop flight to San Juan,” said Grossman after receiving his award.
About 100 people attended the combination awards ceremony and celebration of Puerto Rico’s 516th anniversary of its founding.
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