• The University of North Florida appointed Asai Asaithambi as the new director of the School of Computing in the College of Computing, Engineering and Construction, while the UNF board of trustees awarded him tenure as a professor of computer science. Asaithambi, a Ponte Vedra Beach resident, last served as chair and professor for the Computer Science Department in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Dakota. While there, he obtained a nearly $600,000 National Science Foundation grant titled “Getting American Indians to Information Technology” as well as proposed, developed and implemented a doctoral program in computational science and statistics.
• The Hispanic Bar Association plans a program about “The Showdown that was the NFL Lockout,” featuring Paul Vance, Jacksonville Jaguars general counsel and senior vice president of operations, and Tim Walsh, director of administration. The event is 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept 29 at the Ed Ball Building. For information, email [email protected].
• The Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce will launch new branding at its Trustee Meeting Wednesday afternoon at The University Club.
• Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is the scheduled keynote speaker at the JA Girl$ signature event, “Smart Women Make Change,” at noon Oct. 25 at the University of North Florida University Center. The Junior Achievement program, JA Girl$, teaches girls about money, careers and entrepreneurship. For more information, visit www.jajax.com or call Junior Achievement of North Florida at 398-9944.
• Brunet-Garcia Advertising & PR launched a government affairs practice, which will be led by Kevin Doyle, former state director for U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez. Doyle was responsible for advising Martinez on all state issues and policy initiatives. At Brunet-Garcia, Doyle will specialize in government affairs with a focus on businesses, nonprofits and organizations.
• The Flagler real estate company said it closed a five-year lease renewal for 99,000 square feet for TAP Worldwide LLC at one of Flagler’s nine warehouse distribution buildings in the Jacksonville International Tradeport industrial park. TAP Worldwide is the leading supplier of parts and accessories for off-road vehicles with five warehouses and distribution centers across the United States.
• The Jacksonville National College Fair is scheduled 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Osborn Center. For more information about workshops and other details, visit www.jaxcollegefair.org.
• Jacksonville-based Rayonier announced it has signed an agreement to acquire about 250,000 acres of timberlands from Joshua Timberlands LLC and Oklahoma Timber LLC for $330 million. The acquisition, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter, will initially be funded using cash, Rayonier’s revolving credit facility and the assumption of existing debt of the sellers. The timberlands are in Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Alabama. Upon completion, Rayonier will own, lease or manage about 2.7 million acres in 10 states in the United States and New Zealand.