• Robert Kermitz joined England-Thims & Miller Inc. as senior project manager for the firm’s Florida operations. Kermitz spent 34 years managing water, sewer and electric capital and joint infrastructure projects for JEA. He most recently served as project director for JEA’s Total Water Management Plan pipeline program.
• The Rotary Club of West Jacksonville announced officers for 2012-13: President John McCorvey, Vice President and President-elect Nina Sasser, Treasurer Dan Dodd, Secretary Preston Keyes and Sergeant-At-Arms Paul Mohrman. For information, visit www.westjaxrotary.com.
• The CoreLogic research firm said foreclosure rates in Jacksonville rose in May. The rate of Jacksonville-area foreclosures among outstanding mortgage loans rose 0.47 percentage points to 9.04 percent in May from 8.57 percent in May 2011. Foreclosure activity in the nation was 3.41 percent in May. The delinquency rate also increased. In May, 14 percent of mortgage loans were 90 days or more delinquent compared to 13.42 percent in May 2011, an increase of 0.58 percentage points.
• Burdette Ketchum has promoted Sarah Carter to print production director overseeing the agency’s production duties and promoted Sharon Obeso to design director, helping to manage the creative department’s processes and procedures. Both joined the firm in 2011. Obeso continues her role as art director and serves as brand manager on several client accounts.
• The City OK’d build-out for a fitness center at EverBank Center at 301 W. Bay St. CMS Group LLC is the contractor for the $87,432 project.
• Mayor Alvin Brown signed legislation between the City and Hallmark Partners Inc. for up to $4.9 million in Recapture Enhanced Value (REV) Grant reimbursements over a 20-year period. Hallmark plans to invest $38 million into currently vacant property at Riverside Avenue and Jackson Street by building 294 residential units ranging between 600 and 1,200 square feet along with 16,500 square feet of retail space. An adjacent park will be open to the public.