James F. Bailey Jr. is a newspaper guy, but not just the publisher of a family-owned, century-old publication.
The longtime owner and publisher of the Financial News & Daily Record, part of Bailey Publishing, became rooted the business 38 years ago when he took over the operations from his father James F. Bailey, who assumed the business after the death of his father-in-law, John Hall McManus.
First printed in 1912, the newspaper published consecutively more than 26,000 weekday editions and celebrates its 100th anniversary today, which City Council on Tuesday named "Financial News & Daily Record Day" in Jacksonville.
The company has about 30 employees and has its operations Downtown at the corner of Newnan and East Bay streets along with a Westside production facility.
Bailey has been married to his wife, Donna, for more than 20 years and has six daughters and two grandchildren.
Though entrenched in the business, Bailey has devoted much time to causes and efforts outside the media and printing industries.
He's served on several City and community boards, including the City Office of Economic Development Downtown Development Review Board, Jacksonville Waterways Commission, Downtown Vision Inc., Rotary Club of Jacksonville, the Florida Theatre and Episcopal High School, among others.
His latest appointment is to the nine-member Downtown Investment Authority, a City board dedicated to oversee and guide Downtown economic development and growth. The board was established this year to facilitate continued growth over the long term, instead of being dictated by mayoral and City Council terms every few years.
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