• While the deal to allow Hillwood to serve as the master developer of Cecil Commerce Center will likely be debated for a while, one of the Westside’s more influential businessmen supports the plan. J.B. Coxwell, chair of J.B. Coxwell Contracting Inc., sent a letter to City Council members urging them to support Hillwood. He calls the deal “fair and equitable” and said the City “could not ask for a better development company to partner with.”
• The Fiorentino Group announced Randall H. Reid has joined the firm as managing director of its new Tampa office. Reid most recently served as director of business development for Hardin Construction Co. in Tampa. “The opening of our Tampa office extends our firm’s reach as we look to better serve our Bay area clients and further grow our presence in a way that complements our political and business network statewide,” said President Marty Fiorentino.
• Next week is a busy one for the City’s independent agencies. Monday, the boards of both the Jacksonville Port Authority and the Jacksonville Aviation Authority meet, and JTA’s board meets Thursday.
• Tim Clark, director of Automation Services at Jacksonville-based Stellar, has been elected president of the Jacksonville division of the International Society of Automation. Stellar automation engineer Jim Martini has been elected treasurer. ISA is a nonprofit that works to advance understanding, develop best practices and build relationships among automation professionals.
• Retired Ambassador John Rood, chairman and founder of Vestcor, gave the Flagler College spring commencement address on April 24. Rood, who was U.S. ambassador to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, told the graduating class that “leadership opportunities are everywhere and for everyone.” Rood was presented with a Doctor of Laws honorary degree at the ceremony.