NUMA SAISSELIN
Florida Theatre
Numa Saisselin became president of the Florida Theatre on Sept. 10, 2012. He is only the second president in the theatre’s 30-year history as a nonprofit arts organization. Saisselin has built an award-winning career directing nonprofit performing arts centers, especially historic theaters, and developed a reputation for leading organizations from uncertain circumstances to annual profitability. Most recently, from 2002 to 2012, he was the CEO of the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, N.J. During these 10 years, the organization grew from a $1.5 million a year operation with an ongoing annual deficit into an $8.5 million a year organization that enjoyed nine years of cash surpluses. He is a graduate of the Fredonia School of Music, received his MBA from the Adelphi University School of Business and Banking, and a post-graduate certificate in nonprofit management from the Springfield College School of Human Services, which he attended on a full and unsolicited scholarship from the Texaco Foundation. He has been a board member of the League of Historic American Theatres, president of the Consortium of Eastern Regional Theatres, and a panelist for numerous foundations and grant makers.
TRACI JENKS
Cushman & Wakefield of Florida
Traci Jenks specializes in leasing and sales of office and flex properties in the Jacksonville market and represents tenants and owners of real estate. Jenks joined Cushman and Wakefield in July 2013 after 10 years with Trammell Crow Company and then CBRE. Recently, she completed the largest lease transaction in Jacksonville between Prudential and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, leasing 217,000 sq. ft. at 701 San Marco. From 2000 to 2003, Jenks worked in economic development at what is now JaxUSA Partnership and was part of the team that enticed Fidelity National Financial and other large corporations to move their headquarters to Jacksonville. Jenks started her career in commercial real estate in 1992 after graduating with a bachelors of business administration in real estate from the University of Georgia. She worked for Barnett Banks, Inc. as an asset manager responsible for the disposition of bank-owned properties. When NationsBank merged with Barnett Bank, she worked for Lincoln Property Company and was involved in the largest sale of bank-owned properties at that time, including the sale of what is now the “Bank of America Tower.”
OLIVER BARAKAT
CBRE Group, Inc.
Oliver Barakat is a senior vice president with CBRE specializing in the leasing and sales of office space. After attending university and living in Washington, D.C. for eight years, Barakat moved back home to Jacksonville in 1996. He currently serves as the chair of the Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) and is a board member of the Museum of Science and History and Episcopal School of Jacksonville. He is a past president of NAIOP and JaxPride and a graduate of the Leadership Jacksonville Class of 2000. Barakat has significant experience Downtown, including a seven-year stint on the Design Review Committee, a member of the JEDC’s Downtown Infrastructure Task Force which helped create the Downtown Action Plan, and was appointed to the DIA in 2012. Barakat graduated from the American University in Washington, D.C. with a BSBA in finance and real estate.
KERRI STEWART
JEA
Kerri Stewart joined JEA as Chief Customer Officer in 2017, bringing more than 14 years of experience to the organization. Previously, Stewart served as Chief of Staff for Jacksonville, Florida Mayor Lenny Curry, providing policy and public affairs guidance to the mayor. Prior to returning to the City of Jacksonville, Stewart was a Partner and Senior Vice President at Infinity Global Solutions. Drawing on her extensive experience in both the public and private sectors, she focused on assisting clients in the areas of government privatization, public infrastructure development, general management consulting and government relations. She also served as interim president of Visit Jacksonville, Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC) and Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville as part of her management consulting practice. Prior to joining IGS, Stewart served as the Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Jacksonville/Duval County, Florida under Mayor John Peyton and Mayor Alvin Brown. In this role, she oversaw day-to-day government operations for the city, including directing a nearly 5,000-member workforce and managing the $1 billion municipal budget and $164 million annual capital improvement plan. During her first tenure with the City of Jacksonville, Stewart led several successful privatization studies and implementations, and she has shared her experiences in this area at a variety of conferences and other professional venues. During her years of public service, Stewart also served as director of the city’s Housing and Neighborhoods Department, created the Office of Operational Efficiency (now known as the Inspector General’s Office), and served as a policy advisor to Mayor Peyton. Prior to joining the City of Jacksonville, Stewart worked as a Program Manager for Alltel Information Systems in Leeds, UK and Jacksonville, Florida. She is a graduate of the University of North Florida’s Coggin School of Business with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, double-majoring in Marketing and Management.
BILL ADAMS
Gunster
Bill Adams is a shareholder who joined Gunster in 2007 and is chair of the Jacksonville office. Adams’ practice area is commercial litigation. He is a member of the Federal Bar Association and the Chester Bedell American Inn of Court. In 2006, he was named by Florida Trend as an “Up and Coming Legal Elite,” and Florida Super Lawyers named him a rising star in 2009. Adams earned his B.A. and J.D., magna cum laude, from Southern Methodist University.He currently also serves on the board of Episcopal Children’s Services, having served as president from 2010-2012.
ZACH ASHOURIAN
Ash Properties
Zach Ashourian is co-owner in his family business, Ash Properties, specializing in retail, office, storage, and hospitality. He previously worked as a real estate broker in San Francisco, CA, where he totaled over 1.1m in real estate transactions in just under a year. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Development from the University of Arizona. A native of Jacksonville, Zach serves on the board of River City United Foundation, a charity he started with other Jacksonville young professionals to unite and network the city’s young workforce, while getting involved and giving back to local charities.
LORI BOYER
Downtown Investment Authority
Lori Boyer was elected to Jacksonville City Council in 2011. She has served on every standing committee of the Council and two years as chair of the Land Use and Zoning Committee. In 2013, Lori received the Charles Webb Award for Outstanding Service to the Council, and in 2014 chaired the year-long review of Jacksonville’s Consolidated Government. She has chaired the Special Committee on the Capital Improvement Program which has conducted an in depth review of capital accounts and borrowing practices. Lori was chosen Elected Official of the Year by Northeast Florida Realtors Association in 2013, and the Florida Elected Official of the Year for 2014 by the American Planning Association. Most recently, she was named the Financial News and Daily Record 2015 Lawyer of the Year at the Jacksonville Bar Association’s annual Law Day Luncheon. Lori Boyer is now the CEO of the Downtown Investment Authority.
CARYN CARREIRO
Cushman & Wakefield
Caryn Carreiro specializes in property management of office and flex properties in the Jacksonville market; and has worked with multiple owners throughout the State of Florida. She joined Cushman & Wakefield in 2016 during the acquisition of Taylor & Mathis of Florida. She has managed large portfolios of commercial office product over multiple regions during her career. She currently works in downtown Jacksonville. Ms. Carreiro has worked with regional owners in all phases of the real estate cycle, from repositioning and strategic marketing efforts, through acquisition and disposition. She also worked for a national bank in the Corporate Real Estate Department creating value by leasing excess bank space in their facilities in the State of Florida. She obtained her CCIM certification and has served as President of CREW Jacksonville.
STEPHEN CROSBY
InvestJax
Stephen Crosby served as president of CSX Real Estate Property, Inc. During his more than 25 year tenure with CSX, Crosby served as vice president of development, real estate operations and corridor development, as well as numerous other managerial positions before assuming the title of president in 2000. He received his B.S. and M.B.A. from the University of Virginia and University of Florida, respectively. Crosby currently serves on the Urban Land Institute – North Florida Advisory Board, is past national chairman of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP), and is a past member of the advisory board of the University of Virginia School of Architecture.
PAUL DAVISON
BDO USA, LLP
Paul Davison is the Assurance office managing partner in BDO’s Jacksonville office. With more than 30 years of experience in public accounting, including 15 years at the partner level, Paul has in-depth experience leading public and large private company audits and has an extensive background in complex accounting matters including business combinations, leasing, restructuring, complex stock-based compensation matters and derivatives. Davison currently serves on the Executive Committee of both the Dreams Come True and Changing Homelessness. He received his B.S. in Accountancy from University of Miami in 1988.
NATHANIEL P. FORD SR.
Jacksonville Transportation Authority
Nathaniel P. Ford Sr. is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority. Ford is a nationally-recognized senior executive with a distinguished career in the transportation industry that spans three decades. He has spent 14 combined years as CEO of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. Ford has worked in all facets of transportation, starting his career as a train conductor for New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Under his leadership, the JTA has received two prestigious awards, the 2016 APTA Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award and the 2016 Florida Public Transportation Association System of the Year Award.
PAUL GRAINGER
Iconic Real Estate
With over 13 years experience in real estate development, Paul has been Vice President of Iconic Real Estate Investments since 2014. The firm specializes in the underwriting, structuring, development, and management of real estate investment deals in the Northeast Florida area, with a focus on cultivating long lasting relationships and a concentration in unique urban infill and adaptive re-use projects. Mr. Grainger leads Iconic to service an extensive network of high net worth investors through strategic planning, innovative thinking, and a passion for the business of real estate. Their investment and development opportunities are internally generated, as well as sourced through partnerships with other local, high-quality brokers and developers. Paul graduated from Warrington School of Business at University of Florida in 2006.
JAN HANAK
Regency Centers
Jan Hanak has more than 17 years of experience in advertising, design and communications. Jan leads Regency Centers national marketing, communications and market research team. Prior to Regency, Jan served at Director of Design and Interactive for GOLD, a full-service advertising agency in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. During his career, Jan has worked in various creative capacities for organizations including MCI, Chemence and Citi. His focus is a design-minded view towards marketing and communications with a keen eye towards emerging marketing technologies and demographic trends. Jan earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from the University of Florida and is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). Jan also volunteers his time with YMCA’s Y Reads Program, HabiJax and other local charities.
ELIAS HIONIDES
PETRA
Elias Hionides has been Vice President of Petra since 2014, overseeing all development, sales, acquisitions, leasing, and management of the brokerage company. Elias graduated from the University of Miami with degrees in finance, marketing, and urban studies. His historic development experience includes the adaptive re-use and restoration of the Jones Bros Furniture Building into 28 apartment units and 10,000 SF of retail in downtown Jacksonville and the restoration of the Holmes Block in downtown Jacksonville. His focus is looking for ways for Petra to fill voids in the Jacksonville development field, with a focus to bring dense, walkable, and community-driven projects to the market. Elias is an active member of ICSC, ULI, and is part of the Commercial Corridors Committee of Springfield Preservation and Revitalization (SPAR). Recently, Elias was named a 2018 CoStar Power Broker for Retail Leasing and was a Jacksonville Business Journal 40 Under 40 in 2019.
ALLAN IOSUE
HASKELL
Mr. Iosue brings 20 years of experience in the architecture, engineering and construction industry with a focus on local, state and federal agencies as well as private development and education facilities. Allan is active in many community and professional organizations including the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, Urban Land Institute, ASHE, and FES/ACEC. He is a strong advocate for the City of Jacksonville serving as Chair for the Context Sensitive Streets Standards Committee.
ASST. CHIEF JIMMY JUDGE
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office
Assistant Chief James “Jimmy” Judge is the Patrol Zone Commander for the downtown district. Jimmy has served for twenty-eight years with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in a wide variety of positions. Jimmy earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Liberty University in 1988.
VINCE MCCORMACK
Perdue, Inc.
Vince McCormack, a Jacksonville native, is the president and co-owner of Perdue Office Interiors. McCormack has been with the company since 1986. In 2001, after years in sales and sales management, McCormack took over as president. In 2007, he and an investment partner purchased the company. McCormack is active in the business community, having served on the Jacksonville Regional Chamber Board of Governors and currently serving on the Board of Directors. He is also a trustee with the Chamber and serves on the advisory council for Jax USA Partnership, chair elect for the Gator Bowl Association, and several nonprofit boards including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida and the Florida Theatre. In 2009, Mr. McCormack moved his company from the Baymeadows area back Downtown, where the company was founded in 1916. Mr. McCormack was a member of the committee that worked on NAIOP’s Downtown position paper and was also a member of the Chamber’s 2010 Downtown Revitalization Committee. Most recently, McCormack partnered with CoWork Jax, located above Perdue, to make the initiative a reality Downtown.
RYAN MCINTYRE
VyStar Credit Union
Ryan McIntyre is the Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at VyStar Credit Union. His role works as an extension of the executive management team to execute on enterprise-wide projects and ad hoc initiatives. Ryan joined VyStar in 2018 from Regions Bank, where he was most recently Jacksonville City President, covering consumer and commercial lines of business across Northeast Florida. He previously served as SVP, Consumer Banking Manager and Senior Regional Operations Manager among other roles over 15 years with the organization. Ryan is originally from the central Florida area and holds a Bachelor of Science in General Business Administration from the University of Central Florida.
JU’COBY PITTMAN
City Council
Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman, was appointed by Governor Rick Scott, to serve as Jacksonville City Council Member for District 8. She was installed by City Council President, Aaron Bowman and Chief Judge Mark Mahon on July 12, 2018. She serves on the Land Use and Zoning Committee(LUZ) and Rules Committees. As a native of Jacksonville and the CEO/President of the Clara White Mission. Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman has been working to improve Jacksonville for over 30 years by implementing programs that effect change through cost-effective initiatives by engaging the community. She was featured on the “Today Show” for developing innovative training programs to stabilizing the lives of veterans, the homeless and underserved. As an extension of the veteran program initiative, she raised $3.8 million to develop and opened the Henri Landwirth “Beaver Street Veterans Villas and Outreach Center” in 2017. She transformed this historic vacant downtown structure into a life-changing furnished “One Stop Shop” full-service permanent housing facility that includes supportive services. Councilwoman Pittman is committed to: Engaging and mobilize constituents and government to work together to address neighborhood concerns and achieve results; Expanding economic development with a focus on job training and placement; and Collaborating with law enforcement, community and neighborhoods to reduce criminal activity. She holds dual degrees from Florida State College in Jacksonville (Associate in Arts Degree) and Jones College (Bachelor of Science Degree). Additionally, she was honored with a Doctorate of Humane Letters by Jones College and serves as one of the institution’s most accomplished alumna. She is the proud parent of two children. Her philosophy is “Go out of your comfort zone to make a difference”.
WILLIAM (BILL) R. PRESCOTT
Heritage Capital Group
Bill Prescott is a principal with Heritage Capital Group, a leading investment banking firm and advisory firm for mergers and acquisitions, sales and divestitures, and strategic consulting on enhanced business performance. Prior to joining Heritage Capital Group, Prescott was the CFO and SVP of Stadium Operations for the Jacksonville Jaguars since the inception of the franchise in 1993. A native of the Bronx, N.Y., Prescott is a graduate of Pace University with a degree in accounting and a master’s degree in taxation. He is a member of the executive board and chair of Visit Jacksonville, a member of the Executive Committee of Downtown Vision, Inc., a member of the Advisory Board of One Spark and treasurer of Jacksonville’s Downtown Marketing Collaborative. Prescott was born May 7, 1956. He has two sons, Christopher and Michael, and a step-daughter Nikki. He and his wife, Kim, live in Ponte Vedra Beach.
JOHN REAM
The Connect Agency
John Ream is the co-founder and president of The Connect Agency. Ream is an ideas-lead marketing strategist with more than 15 years of experience as a corporate adviser to emerging companies with a proven track record for leading national companies and brands. Ream has honed his skill of identifying targets and spearheading successful campaigns on both the agency and client sides in many different industries, eventually specializing in healthcare, manufacturing/distribution and CPG. In 2009, he opened his own marketing consultancy firm located Downtown, The Connect Agency, which has seen rapid growth throughout the state of Florida, New York and California. Recently, Ream was recognized by the Jacksonville Business Journal as one of the top 40 professionals under the age of 40 to watch. Ream has a unique perspective on Downtown from his experience as a one-time resident, landlord and now Downtown business and property owner. His civic involvement includes the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, The First Tee of North Florida, First Coast Worksite Wellness Council and the Episcopal High School Alumni Advisory Board.
ALEX SIFAKIS
JWB Real Estate
Alex leads JWB Real Estate Capital, a vertically integrated single family real estate investment company located in Jacksonville FL. JWB provides passive real estate investments for their clients – basically, they make it as easy to invest in real estate as it is to invest in the stock market. “Good” market, “bad” market, doesn’t matter – JWB has an 8 year track record (that’s over 1000 properties) of providing, passive, market beating returns to their clients. With an in-house acquisitions department, construction company, and property management company, JWB is able to find the best real estate deals out there and turn those deals into profits for their clients. However, JWB is not “just about the money” – they maintain a focus on volunteering efforts and improving the community. JWB gives their entire team a half day once a month to do a team building activity, such as building a house for Habitat for Humanity, or reading to underprivileged children in Jacksonville schools. Alex graduated from The University of Florida in 2005, and is a diehard Gator fan. He still returns to Gainesville every now and then to guest lecture an entrepreneurship class for professor Rossi, and he was named to Jacksonville’s “40 under 40” list in 2012. JWB has garnered numerous local and national awards. Among them, in 2012 JWB was named to the INC500 list (#362 fastest growing company in the US, #12 fastest growing real estate company in the US), as well as getting named the 8th Best Place to Work in Jacksonville, and getting recognized as one of 904 Magazine’s “Companies with Heart,” for all they do in the community.
CHIEF DONALD TUTEN
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office
Chief Donald “Don” Tuten has served in law enforcement for the past 25 years, 22 years with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Tuten currently serves as the zone commander for the Downtown area (Zone 1). He has served in numerous areas of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, most recently as the assistant chief within the Homeland Security Division, where he commanded all of the specialized units (Bomb, SWAT, Dive, Negotiators, Air Unit and Canine) and continues serve as a chairperson on the Region 3 Regional Domestic Security Task Force. Prior to that assignment, Tuten was the commanding officer of the Intelligence unit, where he also served on the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force; Zone 1 administrative lieutenant; Zone 4 watch commander; Sergeant of the Field Training Unit and Emergency Preparedness; sergeant and officer at the Police Academy; detective in Burglary, Auto Theft, Juvenile Intervention Unit; and Zone 1officer. During his tenure with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Tuten earned a bachelor’s of science in government and religion and a master of arts in executive leadership, both from Liberty University.
AUNDRA WALLACE
JAXUSA Partnership
Aundra Wallace is the President of JAXUSA Partnership and was the previous executive director of the City of Jacksonville’s Downtown Investment Authority. Prior to coming to Jacksonville, Wallace spent three years as executive director of the Detroit Land Bank Authority, with previous experience as the Senior Vice President for Commercial Real Estate at the North Carolina Community Development Initiative, as well as holding several positions managing community, economic and housing development initiatives more than 12 years with Miami-Dade County Government. Wallace holds a masters of public administration from Clark Atlanta University and a bachelor of science in political science from Georgia Southern University. He is a Certified Housing Development Finance Professional and a Certified Economic Development Finance Professional.