Geer Services President Pat Geer said Friday that being 2011 president of the Downtown Council of the JAX Chamber has been “a great experience” and he’s looking forward to helping his successor, Jonathan Smith, any way he can.
Geer then handed the gavel to Smith, who will serve as president of the organization beginning in January.
Geer reflected on his year in office, including the council’s support of Landon Middle School and events during the year including the annual painting of the paw prints along East Bay Street.
Geer said he was proud of the group’s growth under his leadership, with membership increasing 28 percent, from 140 in December 2010 to more than 180 at the end of October.
He also commented on the people who have been invited to speak at the Downtown Council’s breakfast and lunch meetings in the past year.
The list included Mayor Alvin Brown, business leaders, constitutional officers and other elected officials as well as incoming JAX Chamber Chair Tom Van Berkel.
The final speaker of Geer’s year as president was Jerry Mallot, president of JAXUSA Partnership, the economic development initiative of the JAX Chamber. Mallot also serves on Brown’s economic development strategy team.
“It’s a great time to be in Jacksonville,” Mallot said, despite the economic challenges of the past four years, riding out a recession that was “longer and worse than we thought it would be.”
The chamber believes the outlook has shifted to positive and while it’s still a time for caution, it’s also “time for action,” he said.
“Action” is a word Mallot also used in reference to Brown. He described Brown as a “conservative visionary who’s willing to act.”
“He’s doing all the things we know had to be done. Balancing the budget isn’t just about reducing government, it’s also about growing the private sector,” said Mallot.
He also commented on Shahid Khan, 61, who is expected to become the new owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars in January.
“I think he’s a younger version of Wayne Weaver. He’s committed to community and very successful in business,” said Mallot.
Weaver, 76, announced last week he was selling the team to Khan.
In terms of Downtown development, Mallot said he thinks a major component is in place that will lead to growth in the next year.
“I have never seen such alignment among all of the organizations that are focused on Downtown,” he said, referencing Downtown Vision Inc., Visit Jacksonville, the JAX Chamber and the Downtown Council.
The next component is implementing Brown’s proposed evolution of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission into an entity devoted to bringing business and more people Downtown.
“We can focus as a board and a staff to make Downtown great,” Mallot said.
In terms of employment, Mallot said Jacksonville is at 9 percent unemployment, compared to 12 percent a year ago. He said in the past year, 20 percent of the jobs created in the state were in North Florida.
He also cited the information technology field as a strong part of the local economy, with only 1.6 percent unemployment in that sector and Jacksonville being ranked by Forbes magazine as the sixth best information technology city in the United States.
The Downtown Council meets the first and third Friday of each month. For meeting times, locations and information, visit www.downtowncouncil.org.
356-2466