There is no timetable for the selection of the JAX Chamber president, but the search firm hired to recruit candidates could provide an applicant pool within three weeks.
"We're going to let the process work its way through," said former JAX Chamber Chair Ed Burr, a board member and vice chair of the search committee.
Burr said Wednesday the seven-member search committee has met several times since former chamber President Wally Lee announced his retirement in November, mainly to help select a search firm and assist with creating a job description.
Lee stepped down from the position Dec. 31 and was replaced by interim President and CEO Jerry Mallot, JAXUSA Partnership president. Lee served in an advisory role through March.
The chamber search committee is chaired by former chamber Chair Kelly Madden and comprises Burr, chamber Chair Greg Smith of Bank of America Merrill Lynch, former Chair Tom Van Berkel of Main Street America Group, board member Giselle Carson of Marks Gray, and members Derrick Smith of CSX Corp. and Suzi Lemen, CEO of Dynamic Corporate Solutions Inc.
The group hired Maryland-based Krauthamer & Associates to conduct the nationwide search to "find the best person, not just a local person," Burr said.
Burr said the search firm calls the applicant pool "outstanding" and said there has been "high interest throughout the country."
After the firm narrows the field of applicants, it will conduct interviews to determine two to three finalists to present to the search committee.
Burr said ideal skills include strong administrative and personal skills and the ability to lead, whether the experience comes from another chamber organization or not.
When the president is announced, there's a chance he or she might be able to move right away into the chamber's renovated Downtown offices.
The chamber relocated in November to temporary space in the BBVA Compass Bank Building at 10060 Skinner Lake Drive near the St. Johns Town Center while its Downtown headquarters at 3 Independent Drive are renovated. It's a $3.5 million renovation project.
Spokeswoman Michelle Danisovszky said the chamber expects to return Downtown on schedule by the end of June.
She said the renovation coincides with Downtown revitalization efforts and the chamber is "re-energizing and enhancing the appearance and functionality of its headquarters."
Renovations include the building's interior, its façade, a redesign of the property in front of the building and a new parking area.
City Council passed legislation March 26 to appropriate $200,000 from the Florida Department of Transportation for landscaping and beautification of the "west central civic core district" for enhancements to the area in front of the chamber's building. The funds are a carryover from past fiscal years intended for similar projects.
Other features of the renovation include meeting space, free WiFi and an International Plaza with flags representing each country that has a business presence in Jacksonville.
All of the services and departments will return as well.
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