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2019 #DTJax Awards: Brian Wolfburg, Downtowner of the Year

 

Left to Right: Jake Gordon, Brian Wolfburg, Numa Saisselin

The Downtowner of the Year award recognizes an individual who in 2019 has demonstrated inspirational leadership and has made strides to create and support a vibrant Downtown. This year, the award goes to an individual who has been making waves by investing in Downtown Jacksonville – through his company and personally. 2019’s Downtowner of the Year is VyStar Credit Union’s CEO, Brian Wolfburg.

A 20-year veteran in the industry, Brian Wolfburg brought his expertise in risk management, strategic planning, member service and performance management to VyStar Credit Union in 2017. Prior to joining VyStar, Wolfburg was chief operations officer at the $7 billion-asset Alaska USA Federal Credit Union in Anchorage, Alaska.

In his short few years in Jacksonville, Brian has proven his leadership, not only at VyStar, but throughout Downtown through his dedication to economic revitalization efforts, job creation and beautification. Under his leadership, VyStar has relocated their headquarters Downtown, investing approximately $79 million in the 23-story VyStar tower and adjacent, former Life of the South building on Laura Street. This move is infusing 1,000 new employees to the Central Business District to support Downtown businesses.

Brian has also collaborated with ArtRepublic to transform VyStar Tower’s Bay Street parking garage into a drive-thru museum titled Transcending Color. Six exceptional artists worked together to meet Brian’s vision of creating a “more stimulating work environment for his employees while contributing to ArtRepublic’s mission of shaping contemporary culture and helping artists thrive in the DTJax community.”

In addition, VyStar has doubled down on their commitment to Downtown through with the $9.7 million purchase of the VyStar Vetaran Memorial Arena naming rights.  

A true community partner, he’s involved with the JAX Chamber, JAXUSA Partnership, Jacksonville Civic Council, JASMYN and the Youth Crisis Center. And, he’s been a great supporter of the First Wednesday Art Walk and Downtown Vision’s other fundraising initiatives for Downtown. As a native of upstate New York, this past summer, Brian played host as Trip Chair on JAX Chamber’s Destination Downtown Leadership trip to Buffalo which has helped drive new projects and initiatives in the urban core. 

Brian, congratulations on a well-deserved Downtowner of the Year and thank you for promoting the urban core as an exciting place to live, work, visit and invest.