Women of distinction
The Girl Scouts of Gateway Council's annual women of distinction honorees were introduced Monday at a reception at the home of previous winner, Jill Dame. Those attending the reception were, from left, Nancy Soderburg, a foreign policy expert and a visiting distinguished scholar at the University of North Florida; Pamela Chally, dean of the Brooks College of Health at UNF; and Marsha Oliver, spokeswoman for Duval County Public Schools whose leadership experience has earned her numerous honors. Winners not present were Jennifer Chapman, a director with Fidelity Investments, an entrepreneur and community advocate; Allison Korman Shelton, vice president of the Stellar Foundation and a member of several nonprofit boards; and Carmen Townsend, the mother of the late J.T. Townsend, who started the J.T. Townsend Foundation. They will be honored at the 25th annual Women of Distinction luncheon March 12 at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront. For more information, tickets and sponsorship opportunities, contact Jennifer Simmons at (904) 421-3487 or [email protected].
Rodriguez named distinguished professor at UNF
Judith Rodriguez received the 2013 distinguished professor award, the highest honor for a University of North Florida faculty member.
Rodriguez received the award Monday during the annual fall convocation ceremony. The award is given to a professor who demonstrates excellence in teaching, scholarship and service.
For three decades, she has been involved in several activities related to nutrition education, including directing internships for master's-level students; teaching nutrition to future home health aides; and developing nutrition education programs for inner-city children.
"Dr. Rodriguez has been distinguished since first stepping on our campus in 1988," said Pam Chally, dean of the Brooks College of Health at UNF. "She has served as a role model to faculty, staff and students and is an excellent choice for the 2013-14 distinguished professor."
Jacksonville earns national veterans award
Jacksonville was named National City of the Year by the Forty & Eight, a veterans organization.
City Council member Don Redman accepted the award at the group's convention in Phoenix, Ariz.
"This honor from the Forty & Eight helps greatly to build Jacksonville's reputation as one of America's truly great military and veterans cities," Redman said.
The city was recognized for its extensive efforts to support the military and veterans communities.
"This honor is well-deserved for a city that is working hard to show leadership and dedication," said Ron Garland, state Chef de Gare for the Forty & Eight. "We applaud the City of Jacksonville for embracing opportunities and developing solutions for our military and veterans community."
Riverside YMCA aquatic center to bear Newton family name
The family of Russell B. Newton Jr. has pledged $2.5 million for naming rights of the aquatic center at the new Riverside YMCA.
The Newton Family Aquatic Center will feature a six-lane Junior Olympic-sized swimming pool and a warm-water therapy pool.
Newton's son, Russell B. Newton III, has served in volunteer leadership roles, including chair of the corporate board of directors and as co-chair of the $21 million capital campaign to make the new Riverside location possible.
The Newton family also shares the naming of the Barco-Newton Family YMCA in Fleming Island.
"My own children, like thousands of others in the area, learned to swim at this Y, and have many great memories from the experience, which they still talk about," Newton Jr. said.
JASMYN grant renewed
JASMYN has been awarded the renewal of a grant it first received in 2011 to help with treatment and care for people living with HIV.
The grant is $30,000 for each of the two years of the grant. JASMYN, the Jacksonville Area Sexual Minority Youth Network, is one of 10 agencies to get the grant.
"We are honored to receive this grant renewal from Positive Action Southern Initiative," said Cindy Watson, executive director.
Graham reappointed to PSC
Gov. Rick Scott reappointed Art Graham, of Jacksonville Beach, as a commissioner of the Florida Public Service Commission.
Graham, 49, previously served as a Jacksonville City Council member. He received his bachelor's degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Scott also reappointed Ronald A. Brise of Tallahassee. He is the current chair of the commission and is a board member of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners.
Both Graham and Brise were reappointed for terms running Jan. 2-Jan. 1, 2018.
Davlantes elected JAA board chair
The Jacksonville Aviation Authority board of directors elected Terri Davlantes as chairwoman, effective Oct. 1.
Davlantes is vice president of strategy and general counsel at Florida Coastal School of Law. She was appointed to the board by Gov. Rick Scott. She replaces A.L. Kelly as chair, though Kelly will continue to serve on the board.
Other newly elected officers are Frank Mackesy as vice chairman, Ernest Isaac Jr. as secretary and Chester Aikens as treasurer.
The authority's board comprises seven members – three appointed by the Jacksonville City Council and four by the governor. Each member serves a four-year term.
Elias wins state EMS award
Bradley J. Elias, a board-certified emergency medicine specialist at Baptist Medical Center, received the state EMS Disaster Preparedness and Response award.
The award is for those who have made significant contributions in preparing Florida for health and medical responses to emergencies or disasters.
Elias has served on the state EMS Advisory Council since 2006 and has served as chairman of the Disaster Committee.
"It's an honor to be recognized, but it's also work I truly enjoy," Elias said. "There's a lot of time and effort put in to make sure Florida is ready for the next major disaster. The EMS community throughout the city, region and across Florida has partnered with the state to work together to become better prepared."
Furyk is guest speaker at Web.com forum
Web.com is hosting a free small-business forum at TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse for Northeast Florida small business owners to learn how to market their business online.
Professional golfer Jim Furyk is the guest speaker for the event, which is noon-2:30 p.m. Sept. 27.
Those who register receive a complimentary lunch, a ticket to the Web.com golf tournament in the afternoon and admission to a Blues Traveler concert that evening.
Lamkins named chief technology officer at Bolles
Jennifer Lamkins has been appointed chief technology officer at The Bolles School.
In this newly created position, she will oversee technology infrastructures on all four Bolles campuses. She also will manage the development and implementation for academic and functional technology resources.
Lamkins has a 20-year background in technology, including most recently as technology integration specialist at Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles. She has a doctorate in educational technology from Pepperdine University.
"I am eager for Jennifer to arrive at Bolles, build our current technology action plan and further our 'All Things Possible' environment," said Brad Johnson, Bolles president and head of school.
Lamkins will begin the job next month.