• FirstAtlantic Bank announced that John Adams, Jim Horne and David King have been named to the bank’s Clay County advisory board. They join advisory director Tim O’Keefe to serve as advocates for the bank by introducing business opportunities and making key introductions. Adams is a CPA. Horne is the former Florida Commissioner of Education and served in the Florida Senate. King is an Orange Park attorney.
• The Donut Shoppe in Arlington is on the move. The City approved a building permit Monday for build-out at 1535 University Blvd. N. for the business, which will move into the larger space from its nearby location at 1711 University Blvd. N. Pessolano Development Group Inc. will handle the $100,000 project. The Donut Shoppe celebrates its 50th anniversary this month. Look for more doughnuts as well as more parking spaces.
• Jacksonville with a Major League Baseball team? Not yet, but in a new book by Ken Beckley, the “Jacksonville Phoenix” call “Duval County Stadium” home. The book, “Knuckleball: The Uncertainties of (a) Life,” features the team. The city plays a central role in the story of character Davie Miller and his dream of playing professional baseball. The book is available through online retailers.
• The new REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.) store at The Markets at Town Center at St. Johns Town Center is undergoing pre-construction reviews. The St. Johns River Water Management District is reviewing plans for the store, totaling 23,491 square feet of space. The company said in early March that it will open its first Florida store in Jacksonville early next year. The company sells outdoor gear and clothing for camping, climbing, cycling, fitness, hiking, paddling and travel. Based in Kent, Wash., near Seattle, REI operates 122 stores in 29 states. It recruits about 50 employees for each store. For more information, visit www.rei.com.
• The City Council Finance Committee approved an economic development agreement Tuesday between the City, the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission and Caterpillar Work Tools Inc. The deal provides a Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund of $117,000, with $23,400 from the City and the remainder from the state, to Caterpillar for the creation of 39 jobs. The deal is scheduled for a full Council vote Tuesday night.
• Update: Jacksonville University athletic director Alan Verlander and JU former player and NBA Hall of Famer Artis Gilmore were appointed to Mayor Alvin Brown’s administration Tuesday. Gilmore will continue to fill a dual role with the City and JU, where he is special assistant to the president, but Verlander will resign from his JU position May 5. No details have emerged about his JU replacement.
• Women in Business Award finalist Marcia Danzeisen didn’t attend the awards ceremony Monday in which she was one of three women up for “Corporate Leader of the Year.” Danzeisen has been senior vice president of Global Marketing and Communications at Jacksonville-based Fidelity National Information Services Inc. Women Business Owners of North Florida had no comment about her absence. On Tuesday, FIS issued a statement: “Marcia Danzeisen is no longer with FIS. Corporate policy prevents us from disclosing further information about current or former employees.” Earlier Monday, FIS announced that Bill Foley has given up his role as chairman of the board to devote time to other business interests. He will stay on the board of directors as vice chairman. Frank Martire, who had been president and CEO, became chairman and CEO. Executive Vice President Gary Norcross was promoted to president and chief operating officer.
• The new 2012 Honda CR-V manufactured in East Liberty, Ohio, will be exported through Jacksonville as a result of Honda’s expanding export business and the company’s decision that Jacksonville’s port “is the ideal departure port for these vehicles en route to the Middle East, Africa and Puerto Rico,” according to the Jacksonville Port Authority. Following a market study and competitive process, American Honda Motor Co. Inc. chose Jacksonville’s port and its automotive servicing companies, AMPORTS and WWL, to handle a major portion of its growing export volume.
• Gov. Rick Scott appointed Kathy Fleming of Jacksonville to the Florida Historical Commission. Fleming is the chief administrative director of the First Light Maritime Society. She succeeds Nancy Maddox. Her term began last week and ends Dec. 31, 2015.
• Florida Blue, formerly known as Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Inc., has 6,000 employees statewide and 5,000 in Jacksonville at headquarters and satellite offices. The company announced the name change Monday.
• The Jacksonville-based Stellar architecture, engineering, construction and mechanical services firm has expanded into China to offer its food and beverage expertise to manufacturers and distributors growing their operations in the Asia-Pac region.
• Suddath Global Logistics added Donna Desmond as global sales executive.
• The Economic Roundtable of Jacksonville wrapped up its program year last week with speaker Jerry Mallot, president of the JAXUSA Partnership. Its next luncheon, the first of the 2012-13 program year, will be Sept. 25 at the Jacksonville University Davis College of Business.
• The Monique Burr Foundation for Children plans “A Night in the Village,” an annual fundraiser at Roy’s Restaurant, from 6-10 p.m. April 18. Roy’s is at 2400 S. Third St. in Jacksonville Beach. Information: www.moniqueburrfoundation.org.
• The NAIOP commercial real estate group launches its “Downtown Tour & Tasting” from 4-8:30 p.m. April 26 at five Downtown office buildings. The tour starts at One Enterprise Center and continues at AT&T Tower/EverBank Center, 121 Atlantic Place, the Bank of America Tower and then Wells Fargo Center. Each venue will feature food and wine tastings. Information: www.naiopnefl.com.
• The Cultural Council Arts Awards will be 6-9 p.m. May 8 at EverBank Center in the 28th floor Foard Studio. The theme is “A Room With A View.” Visit www.culturalcouncil.org.
• The Omni Amelia Island Plantation announced staff appointments: Randy Goshorn, real estate sales executive; Carolyn Heckel, real estate program manager; Kathleen Kelly, human resources manager; Scott Colebourne, director of tennis; and Paul Niekelski, assistant director of housekeeping. Promotions include Katie Lane as graphic designer; Marilou Beardsley as recreation manager; Alan Davis as executive steward; Sarah Wegenast as transportation manager; Jill Powers as Community Association Manager; and Dorry Martin as catering sales manager.