By Karen Brune Mathis
Managing Editor
Jacksonville Community Council Inc. Executive Director Charles “Skip” Cramer will retire from the organization no later than Sept. 23 after seven years at the helm.
JCCI was created in 1975 to bring together citizens to study community issues.
Cramer, 66, chose the September date because he wants to attend the 45th reunion of his Naval Academy class, followed by two international trips, to India and China.
Cramer served in the Navy for 32 years followed by 10 years with the North Florida Region of the American Red Cross.
“I consider my departure like a Navy change of command,” he said. “My personal reputation is based on the condition of my ‘command’ the day I depart, so no one should worry I will ‘retire on active duty.’”
Cramer commanded Naval Air Station Jacksonville from August 1991 to August 1993 and then became the deputy dean of the Center for Naval Warfare Studies at the Naval War College in Newport, R.I
He retired early to take the job as CEO of the Red Cross chapter in April 1994.
He left Newport on a Friday afternoon and reported for work at the Red Cross on Monday morning.
JCCI’s board will search for a replacement. Cramer said he intends to remain in the area and keep an active community role.
356-2466