• Political insiders Mike Hightower, Ginny Myrick and Janet Owen present the “Power of Political Influence: How to gain it. How to use it. How not to lose it.” The event is 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 13 at the University of North Florida University Center, sponsored by the Coggin College of Business Alumni Chaptr Info: Call 620-4805.
• Bid farewell to Skip Cramer and welcome Ben Warner to the helm of Jacksonville Community Council Inc. from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 12 at JCCI offices. Cramer is retiring and Warner was promoted to succeed him as president and CEO.
• Dr. Scot Ackerman of First Coast Oncology announced his annual essay contest for North Florida high school students, “Students Who Care.” The topic is: “Plato said ‘Necessity is the mother of invention.’ In what innovative ways would you solve the challenges that the public education system faces today?”
• The Stellar construction, design, engineering and mechanical services firm appointed Dwyn Taylor as vice president in its commercial division. He recently retired after nearly 27 years in the U.S. Navy and is charged with continuing to grow Stellar’s federal projects. Taylor achieved the rank of captain before retiring.