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Mathis Report: Restaurants, stores planned next to Memorial Park
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May 23-29, 2019 jaxdailyrecord.com
JACKSONVILLE
Record & Observer ADVICE FROM THE INVENTOR OF POUND PUPPIES JACKSONVILLE
Saft says it’s cutting 63 jobs
DON’T LET EXCUSES Record & Observer DERAIL YOUR IDEAS JACKSONVILLE
Record & Observer
The battery maker has not hit employment targets required by its incentives deal with the city. BY MIKE MENDENHALL STAFF WRITER
Lithium-ion battery manufacturer Saft America Inc. says it will cut 63 jobs at its West Jacksonville factory by the end of 2019. A spokesperson for Saft confirmed the job losses in an email Wednesday and said the company’s Jacksonville facility has been unprofitable and underutilized. Saft says it plans to restructure operations at its 235,000-squarefoot Jacksonville plant to focus on the company’s more profitable sectors — mobility, energy storage and rail assembly for U.S. customers. “The restructuring will have a short-term impact in terms of jobs with 35 positions made redundant immediately and 28 more in late 2019,” said Lisa Harlow, a senior account executive with Clapp Communications that represents Saft. Saft didn’t say how many
JACKSONVILLE
Record & Observer
SEE SAFT, PAGE 6 Photo by Dede Smith
Amelia Island resident Mike Bowling invented Pound Puppies, one of the world’s best-selling toys in the mid-1980s. He told the Southside Business Men’s Club that self-imposed obstacles keep most great ideas from coming to fruition. BY DAN MACDONALD CONTRIBUTING WRITER
M
ike Bowling, the creator of Pound Puppies, one of the best-selling toys in the mid-1980s, contends that self-doubt is all that might keep an idea from becoming the next big thing. “The greatest ideas on Earth will never
be invented,” the Amelia Island resident told the Southside Business Men’s Club on May 8. People with great ideas allow excuses and self-made obstacles to ground many an invention, he said. Bowling’s career began in Cincinnati where he was an 18-year Ford assembly line employee. The pay was good, he had seniority and medical benefits. He disliked the job.
Sailer Report: Lennar executive not worried about a downturn PAGE 10 Basch Report: Jacksonville firm joins the Fortune 1000 PAGE 12 In the Law: Joni Poitier is 2019 Woman Lawyer of the Year PAGE 15
While driving with his young daughter, he became fascinated at how attached she was to her doll. She took it everywhere. To her it was real. Bowling began thinking about the strength of that attachment, comparing it to that of a person and pet. The idea for Pound Puppies was born. Bowling had no money, no experience SEE BOWLING, PAGE 13
File image
Saft America’s 235,000-squarefoot factory is on 12 acres at 13575 Waterworks St. in Cecil Commerce Center. The plant opened in 2011.
THE MENDENHALL REPORT
JEA not planning rate increase in fiscal 2020 But sales at the utility are slipping. PAGE 11 VOLUME 1, NO. 51 • ONE SECTION
WHAT’S TRENDING
Page 2 • Thursday, May 23, 2019
Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer
Big news doesn’t break just on Thursday. Here’s a look at some of the top stories published over the past week online at JaxDailyRecord.com and in the Jacksonville Daily Record that you may have missed.
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The building that’s the home of Sweet Pete’s at 400 N. Hogan St. is for sale .
REAL ESTATE
Sweet Pete’s building is for sale Downtown’s historic Sweet Pete’s building at 400 N. Hogan St. is for sale. The three-story structure is designed as a candy-store wonderland and is anchored by the Jacksonvillebased Sweet Pete’s candy company. Sweet Pete’s partner Allison Behringer said the business would know more about its plans when a buyer emerges. “We have a lot of different options,” she said. “We will wait to see if we negotiate a lease to stay or if we
relocate.” She said business is good. Marcus Lemonis, an investor and reality TV host of “The Profit,” owns the building and is a partner in Sweet Pete’s with its founders, Allison and her husband, Peter Behringer. Lemonis recently closed his MLG – Marcus Lemonis Grill – in the building in November six months after it opened. The Shopping Center Group is marketing the building.
Jacksonville Record & Observer is a free weekly business newspaper available in Downtown Jacksonville and key business nodes throughout Jacksonville. To find a location near you, visit jaxdailyrecord.com/rack-locations. Editorial content focuses on news and trends, with a concentration on development, real estate, construction, law, companies, economic and industry trends and how local and state government affects business.
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RESTAURANTS Mocha Misk’i closes Downtown brownie shop Mocha Misk’i closed its Downtown brownie shop to focus on its online business rather than its retail traffic in the urban core. Helga Langthon, who owns the business at 209 N. Laura St. with her sister, Pilar, opened the shop in January 2016.
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They are leasing space in the Powers Avenue area to make their signature brownie products. “We closed the Downtown location as our retail sales were not growing and our online business is, so this makes more sense to us,” Helga Langthon said.
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THE ECONOMY Jacksonville unemployment rate at 2.8% Jacksonville’s unemployment rate fell in April to its lowest level since the last recession, despite relatively slow job growth. The unemployment rate in the Jacksonville metropolitan area fell from 3.2% in March to 2.8% in April, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity said Friday.
That’s the first time the jobless rate has been below 3% since 2006. The state agency previously reported Jacksonville’s unemployment rate below 3% for three straight months in late 2018 but after a revision of last year’s data, the agency said the rate bottomed out at 3.1% at the end of the year.
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Hillwood plans 450,000-square-foot building AllianceFlorida at Cecil Commerce Center master developer Hillwood is proposing another speculative warehouse. Dallas-based Hillwood proposes the 450,000-square-foot Building A-2 in the 13000 block of 103rd Street in the West-
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side business park owned by the city. The building site is next to the Wayfair distribution center under development. A site plan shows the structure backs up to the General Electric Oil & Gas valve manufacturing plant.
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Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer
Thursday, May 23, 2019 • Page 3
Title: Senior associate
BY KAREN BRUNE MATHIS • EDITOR
Seda Preston, a senior associate with Colliers International Northeast Florida, is a Jacksonville native. Her grandfather started the Catanese Florist business. Preston is the only woman to work as an industrial real estate specialist with a major firm in the area. She and her husband, Guy Preston, form one of Colliers International’s industrial teams.
Jacksonville is quite different
you’re there to do business just like they are.
from what it was all those
I team with my husband, Guy Preston, and we’ve been working together since 2016. We’re both even-keeled, and we know that there is work and there’s home, although inevitably we find ourselves talking about work in the evenings.
years ago – the increase in population and industry. Technically we’re still considered
I love to travel. I’m active outdoors, do some paddleboarding, CrossFit, a little bit of cycling. I love to bake. You have to be specific about the ingredients. That’s one of the things about my personality – I’m very detailed. I analyze everything, and that’s beneficial for my clients.
a tertiary, low secondary, market but we’ve made strides. Companies and investors that are priced out of other markets are looking at Jacksonville. That
I wanted to be a veterinarian but when I got into college, I went the communications route and ended up in the skin-care industry in sales for a long time before I made the transition to real estate. As long as you know your product and you can talk to people about your product, it translates from one sector to the next. It took me a while to get to real estate, but I love it. I’ve embraced it and I learn more every day. Obviously the longer you’re in it, the more confidence you gain.
is getting us more recognition among national markets. The economy is good. We have a lot of new warehousing and distribution centers being constructed because our vacancy is low, around 3 percent. That tells us the economy is rolling along. With all this new speculative space coming up, we certainly anticipate it’s going to be leased. Special to the Daily Record
You never know what’s going on inside those warehouses. You have manufacturing, e-commerce, distribution. It’s fascinating. There’s a property we sold last year. Paul Davis Restoration built a twostory home inside the warehouse. They flood it on a regular basis for training and they clean it. It is built to code. They create messes and clean them up.
There are some challenges for women in historically male-dominated careers. We’re making strides in real estate and industrial is the last sector where we’re trying to make strides. It takes men to be supportive of that. The younger generation is more accepting. They treat you like an equal and understand
We have three dogs and two cats. They all get along pretty well. The cats are tolerant of the dogs and the dogs, for the most part, leave them alone. The Deebot robot vacuum is my best friend.
Organization: Colliers International Northeast Florida Age: 46 Education: Associate in Arts, Florida State College at Jacksonville; studied communication and media science at the University of North Florida; CCIM Designation Program Family: Husband, Guy Preston; stepchildren Jake Preston and Shaunna Preston Hometown: Jacksonville Hobbies: Travel and baking Website: https:// www2.colliers. com/en/UnitedStates/Cities/ Jacksonville
KMATHIS@JAXDAILYRECORD.COM @MATHISKB (904) 356-2466
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Page 4 • Thursday, May 23, 2019
Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer
THE MATHIS REPORT
Retail, restaurants planned near Memorial Park nection that would encourage Riverside Village customers to easily access the riverfront park. The retail/restaurant component of the project can serve as an amenity to the park as park visitors can easily access the site without crossing a busy intersection, they said. Preliminary plans for Riverside Village are subject to change but indicate the types of uses envisioned: The 6,400-square-foot historic three-story converted “mansion” residence facing Riverside Avenue could be used as office space, event space or perhaps a bed-and-breakfast or similar function. Built in 1909, it has an elevator and six dedicated parking spaces The 4,200-square-foot building at the corner of Riverside and Memorial Park Drive could be divided into a restaurant and restaurant/ retail. Patios could be extended from either side. Yi and Kay said that is the first building targeted for tenants. A 2,880-square-foot building along Memorial Park Drive could accommodate retail on the first floor and offices on the second. A 4,700-square-foot building in the back has been considered for uses that include a brewery/distillery on the first floor and office/residential on the second floor. “We see this space being utilized as ‘Riverside’s backyard’ with the authentic open-air atmosphere the courtyard
KAREN BRUNE MATHIS EDITOR
Riverside Village is a set of buildings at the curve of Riverside Avenue and Memorial Park Drive. NAI Hallmark is marketing Riverside Village at the high-profile curve of Riverside Avenue and Memorial Park Drive. The property is near the St. Johns River and the riverfront Memorial Park, which the landowner and NAI Hallmark intend to incorporate into the marketing of the property. It’s near residential properties and walkable to shopping areas, but the goal is to keep its shaded, courtyard feel. “The property’s physical location offers it as a quaint sanctuary that people can easily slip away and separate from the hustle and bustle of Five Points and Brooklyn,” said NAI Hallmark Senior Associate Eric Yi. He and NAI Hallmark Vice President Austin Kay are marketing the project.
Photo by Karen Brune Mathis
NAI Hallmark retail specialists Eric Yi and Austin Kay are marketing retail and restaurant development at Riverside Avenue and Memorial Park Drive. The dermatology offices will relocate to San Marco.
Riverside Village, whose name might change, is a set of four buildings that will remain for renovation into restaurant, retail and related uses in a campus setting. The goal is to maintain as much of the tree canopy as possible. The addresses are 1541 and 1551 Riverside Ave., 1715 and 1721 Memorial Park Drive and 1729 Memorial Park Terrace. Much of the site faces Riverside
Avenue and Memorial Park. Dr. Frank Schiavone owns the property. He founded North Florida Dermatology Associates in 1983 and the practice operates in two of the buildings and the others are used for administrative offices and storage. Maitland-based Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery acquired North Florida Dermatology Associates in
2014 and is moving the Riverside office functions to San Marco. Yi said Schiavone will remain the landlord of the Riverside property and considers the development to be a legacy project. “A lot of cool things are happening in Riverside,” Yi said. Yi and Kay plan to meet with Memorial Park Association Inc. to discuss creating a con-
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Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer
Thursday, May 23, 2019 • Page 5
RETAIL NOTES
Special to the Daily Record
An artist’s rendering of one of the four renovated buildings planned at Riverside Village near Memorial Park. For a map of the development, see JaxDailyRecord.com
provides,” Yi said. Those three buildings share 49 parking spaces. A multipurpose pavilion also is shown on the plans. Yi said the site comprises 1.3 acres and is zoned commercial, residential and office. The Design Cooperative architecture and design firm is assessing the zoning and historic elements of the project. The team also intends to speak with Riverside Avondale Preservation. Yi and Kay said there is no specific time frame for the project. “It’s more about fit than timeline,” Yi said. Their first focus is on the singlestory building facing Riverside Avenue for uses such as cafes or a farmto-table-style restaurant. It would be renovated with a new façade. Yi said the location offers “nature right on site. The trees and river views aren’t going anywhere.”
MedMen plans locations in Five Points, Jacksonville Beach MedMen is working on sites in Five Points and Jacksonville Beach. The city approved build-out for the MedMen medical marijuana treatment center dispensing facility at 1059 Park St. at Park and Lomax streets in Five Points. JTM Construction Group Inc. is the contractor for the $1.64 million buildout of 5,573 square feet.
At Jacksonville Beach, the St. Johns River Water Management District is reviewing a permit for a new parking lot and stormwater pond at 308 S. Third St., the former 33 Star retail location. Plans show a 6,073-square-foot MedMen location. In December, the Jacksonville Beach Planning Commission approved a conditional use application for MedMen at southwest Third Street South and Third Avenue South. MME Florida LLC, the applicant, said it wanted to buy and renovate the property. Medical marijuana centers required conditional use approval in Jacksonville Beach. Los Angeles-based MedMen Enterprises Inc. lists 33 operational MedMen and PharmaCann locations and 82 permitted under licenses. Investors.medmen.com says MedMen is a cannabis retailer with operations across the U.S. and flagship stores in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and New York. Its mission “is to provide an unparalleled experience that invites the world to discover the remarkable benefits of cannabis because a world where cannabis is legal and regulated is a safer, healthier and happier world.” Its site is medmen.com. KMATHIS@JAXDAILYRECORD.COM @MATHISKB (904) 356-2466
Wawa in Spring Park: The city issued permits for Realco Recycling Co. Inc. to demolish three buildings – two offices and a car wash – at southeast Emerson Street and Spring Park Road for development of a Wawa gas station and convenience store. The demolition costs total $20,000. The structures are a car wash facility at 3840 Emerson St. and two office buildings – 2,310 and 3,172 square feet – at 3523 and 3537 Spring Park Road. The Ferber Co. Inc. is the project developer. CVS in East Arlington: The city issued permits for construction of a 13,250-squarefoot CVS Pharmacy and a dumpster enclosure on 1.18 acres at 11900 McCormick Road, between Wawa and Starbucks at southwest McCormick and Monument roads. Pinnacle/CSG Inc. is the contractor for the almost $2.67 million project. Retail in Oakleaf: The city is reviewing a permit application for a 10,500-squarefoot retail shell building at 8324 Merchants Way in Oakleaf Station. Target Contractors Inc. is the contractor for the $561,976 project. No tenants are listed. Tenant build-out will be done separately. KinderCare in Wildlight: Raydient Places + Properties announced that KinderCare Learning Centers is building a more than 10,000-square-foot early childhood
education and care facility in Wildlight in Nassau County. The KinderCare center will serve more than 100 children between the ages of 6 weeks to 12 years. It is scheduled to open in late 2019. Retail at Gateway Village: The city issued a permit for construction of a 9,342-square-foot multitenant retail building at Gateway Village at Town Center. North Coast Construction Co. is the contractor for the $1.13 million project on 1.5 acres at 10618 Deerwood Park Blvd. It is a Cantrell & Morgan commercial real estate project. Champs, Foot Locker to Regency Pointe: The city approved permits for the “white box” space in the Regency Pointe shopping center for Champs Sports at 9402 Arlington Expressway and for Foot Locker next door at 9408 Arlington Expressway. The stores will relocate from Regency Square Mall across the street. Adkins Construction LLC is the contractor for the work at a cost of $332,279. The work precedes tenant build-out. Publix in St. Johns County: St. Johns County issued a permit for the $843,000 renovation of the Publix Super Markets Inc. store at 125 Jenkins St. The 44,803-square-foot project is in Cobblestone Village at St. Augustine.
Special to the Daily Record
An artist’s rendering of the KinderCare planned for Wildlight in Nassau County.
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Financing offered by DHI Mortgage Company, Ltd. (DHIM) 4220 Race Track Road, Suite 900, St. Johns, FL 32259. Branch NMLS #257647 Company NMLS #14622. DHIM is an affiliate of D.R. Horton/Emerald/Express/Freedom Homes. For more information about DHIM licensing and its affiliation with D.R. Horton please visit www.dhimortgage.com/affiliate. Provided for informational purposes only. This is not a commitment to lend. Not all borrowers will qualify. At Closing, Seller will pay a contribution towards Buyer’s Standard Items equal to the total of Buyer’s Standard Items (except as noted herein). “Buyer’s Standard Items” include: the adjusted origination charge (up to $995), transfer taxes, Lender’s title policy, escrow/settlement fees, title fees, appraisal fee (up to $450), survey, pest inspections and other usual and customary closing costs, prorations and prepaids charged to Buyer by other settlement service providers, and up to $100 for any other lender charges. *Closing costs incentive of up to $5,000 is available to all buyers. Buyer must contract and close by 12/31/19 to receive the incentive. Additional closing costs incentive of up to $10,000 is available if buyer funds and closes with seller’s affiliated lender OR another seller “Preferred Lender” however, buyer must use DHIM or another seller “Preferred Lender” to receive the incentive. Buyer must contract by 6/21/19 and close by 12/31/19 to receive the incentive. In no event will Seller contribute more than the maximum allowed by Lender under the loan program selected by Buyer. Some restrictions apply. See sales agent for complete details including a list of all seller “Preferred Lenders. Does not apply to discount points, interest rate buydowns or other prepaids, simultaneous issue fee for title insurance, VA funding fee, conventional Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium or Upfront Guarantee on USDA loans. Prices and availability subject to change without notice. This is not an offer in states where prior registration is required. You are NOT required to use DHIM or DHI Title as a condition to purchase a D.R. Horton home. You are free to shop around to determine that you are receiving the best services and the best rate for these services. Requesting a loan pre-qualification and making a loan application do not constitute a loan approval or otherwise indicate that a consumer will qualify for a loan. Financing is not guaranteed and not all consumers will qualify. Please see a Loan Officer for financing details. See your New Home Consultant and the home purchase agreement for pricing and features, additional information, disclosures and disclaimers related to this incentive, the home and its features. Void Where Prohibited by Law. Pictures, elevations, features, sizes and colors are approximate for illustration purposes only and will vary from the homes as built. CBC058997 ©2019 D.R. Horton, Inc. All rights reserved. EXP: 6/21/2019
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
Page 6 • Thursday, May 23, 2019
Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer
Top commercial sales of the week BY SCOTT SAILER • STAFF WRITER
Here are the top 10 commercial real estate sales in Northeast Florida, comprising Baker, Clay, Duval and St. Johns counties. The sales were recorded May 13-17.
File image
St. John’s Forest Apartments at 7925 Merrill Road sold for $55.6 million. That is 46.6% more than the community, previously called Avia St. Johns Apartments, sold for in 2016.
$55,600,000
$25,600,000
$14,640,000
$13,400,000
$7,850,000
7925 Merrill Road, Jacksonville, Duval County
2681 University Blvd. N., Jacksonville, Duval County
600 Wells Road, Orange Park, Clay County
2851 Henley Road, Green Cove Springs, Clay County
Type: St. John’s Forest Apartments Size: 40.06 acres Buyer: PRCP-St. John’s Avondale LLC and PRCP- St. John’s Forest LLC Seller: St. John Gardens LLC Previous sale: $37,925,000 in 2016
Type: River City Landing Apartments Size: 24.01 acres Buyer: Toro JAX Property I LLC, DJ Montgomery LLC, DC Montgomery Property LLC and Direnzo Real Estate Management IV LLC Seller: Heron Cove National LLC Previous sale: $6,605,000 in 1996
1607 and 1525 University Blvd. W., 5540 Stanford Road, Jacksonville, Duval County
Type: Wells Road Distribution Center Size: 35.57 acres Buyer: SIF Wells Road LLC Seller: IC Industrial Sideco LLC Previous sale: $11,340,000 in 2017
Type: Asbury Commons Shopping Center Size: 6.99 acres Buyer: FWI 45 LLC Seller: Asbury Commons LLC Previous sale: $8,300,000 in 2013
$7,256,000
$7,125,000
$3,417,000
$1,700,000
$1,630,000
San Pablo Parkway, Jacksonville, Duval County Type: Undeveloped property Size: Not available Buyer: TFCC San Pablo LLC Seller: Estuary LLC
1526 University Blvd. W., Jacksonville, Duval County Type: Lakewood Promenade shopping center Size: 9.19 acres Buyer: General Property Support Inc., Trustee of Lakewood North Land Trust Seller: KRG Lakewood LLC Previous sale: portion of $19,168,000 in 2013
San Pablo Parkway, Jacksonville, Duval County Type: Undeveloped residential property Size: Not available Buyer: Mattamy Jacksonville LLC Seller: Estuary LLC
2685 Florida 207, Elkton, St. Johns County Type: Chevron service station Size: 1.2 acres Buyer: Walton Accommodations 23 LLC Seller: James E. and Betty B. Allen
83 Cedar St., St. Augustine, St. Johns County Type: Penny Farthing Inn Bed and Breakfast Size: 0.18 acres Buyer: Pembroke CB LLC Seller: David and Marie Watkinson Previous sale: $955,182 in 2006
Type: Lakewood Promenade shopping center Size: 5.32 acres Buyer: General Property Support Inc., Trustee of Lakewood North Land Trust Seller: KRG Lakewood LLC Previous sale: portion of $19,168,000 in 2013
Saft CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
employees work at the plant. In June, the factory had 149 full-time workers. The company plans to offer severance packages and available jobs at Saft’s other U.S. businesses. Brian Hughes, Mayor Lenny Curry’s chief of staff, said Saft officials notified the city’s Office of Economic Development about the workforce reductions. The job cuts mean that city officials will again be considering adjustments to Saft’s remaining economic incentives. The city approved $5.3 million in incentives for Saft in 2009 with a promise from the manufacturer to create 279 full-time jobs by the end of 2017. Saft hired only 149 full-time workers and reached a deal with the city in June to extend its job target deadline to Decem-
ber. The city also penalized Saft $25,000. Hughes said Wednesday the city is waiting on certain “data points” from the battery manufacturer before any adjustments or reductions to the remaining city incentives. As of Wednesday, Hughes said OED was waiting for clarification from Saft about the number of jobs impacted. A subsidiary of Paris-based Saft Groupe S.A, the company developed a $26.2 million plant at Cecil Commerce Center on 12 acres at 13575 Waterworks St. in 2011. Saft also received $14.9 million in state financial incentives and was awarded $95.5 million in federal stimulus from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to build the plant at the height of the 2008 Great Recession. MMENDENHALL@JAXDAILYRECORD.COM @MIMENDENHALL (904) 356-2466
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE SALES OPPORTUNITY Have you ever considered a career in Commercial Real Estate or maybe you would just like to know more about it? If you have a CRE Background or you are a Licensed FL Agent in residential with a minimum of 3 years’ experience, give us a call. All interviews and discussions are totally confidential. If you would like to reply via resume, please send to PaulC@WatsonCommercial.com or call Paul Capicchioni, Broker/President at (904) 731-4511.
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Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer
Thursday, May 23, 2019 • Page 7
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE Promotions, hirings and happenings for business people in Northeast Florida. Send items to ssailer@jaxdailyrecord.com Farrukh Bezar will join CSX Corp. as senior vice president and chief strategy officer, a new position. Bezar will lead the development of strategic initiatives “that support CSX’s intensified focus on growth and adding value for its customers and shareholders,” the company said in a news release. Bezar most recently was founder and managing partner of the Lynwood Partners transportation and logistics
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advisory firm. Howard Wanamaker was selected as the next Clay County manager. Wanamaker was chief strategy officer for Hanania Automotive Group in Jacksonville. Before Wanamaker joining Hanania, he served 26 years in the U.S. Navy and was commanding officer at Naval Air Station Jacksonville from 2013-16. Steve Gormley joined CHA Consulting Inc. as vice president and education market business development leader. Gormley’s role is to increase the firm’s education Gormley practice in Florida, the Midwest, New England and the Eastern Seaboard. Gromley was director of business development for the Commercial Group at Stellar Group Inc.
Amy Sterling joined The Heritage Bank in Jacksonville as vice president and commercial lender. Sterling was vice president at Valley National Bank and has 19 years of experience in commercial lending.
Sterling
Bryan Nichols transferred to Crowley Shipping as marine services team manager of business development. His role is to develop ship assist and escort Nichols services for tankers, container ships and other vessels. Nichols was with Seattlebased Jensen Maritime, Crowley’s subsidiary focused on naval architecture and marine engineering business development Compiled by Scott Sailer
DEVELOPMENT TODAY These are the largest commercial building permits by job cost issued Tuesday by the city of Jacksonville. AMUSEMENT RECREATION Cinemark Tinseltown & XD, 4535 Southside Blvd., contractor is A.R. Mays Construction Inc., 101,491 square feet, interior renovation, $260,781. INDUSTRIAL United Parcel Service, 4420 Imeson Road, contractor is Kajima Building and Design Group Inc., 1,664 square feet, new guardhouse, $100,000. OFFICE, BANK, PROFESSIONAL First Coast Women’s Service Center, 404 Owens Road, contractor is Williams & Rowe Co. Inc., 3,806 square feet, new building, $478,524. LCP Riverplace LLC, 1301 Riverplace Blvd., No. 2101, contractor is Duckworth Construction Co., 2,854 square feet, interior renovation, $154,000. Wood Salon, 12740 Atlantic Blvd., No. 10, contractor is SJS Construction Inc., 2,447 square feet, tenant build-out, $48,770. ROOFING ATS Hickson LLC, 5924 Hickson Road, contractor is Barber & Associates Inc., roof over existing, $80,000. Creekside Park Apartments, 5900 Townsend Road, contractor is Excel Roofing Contractors Inc., roof replacement, $52,000. BDEP Murry Hill LLC, 1165 Randolph St., contractor is HW Contracting LLC, roof replacement, $42,404.
Mandarin Veterinary Clinic, 11587 San Jose Blvd., contractor is Rhino Roofing of Jacksonville LLC, roof replacement, $17,620. Enat Injera Inc., 5850 San Juan Ave., contractor is Best Roof Jax LLC, roof replacement, $14,480. SCHOOL, LIBRARY, OTHER EDUCATIONAL J.E.B. Stuart Middle School, 4815 Wesconnett Blvd., contractor is J.L. Ruby Construction LLC, remodel restroom, $39,094.
VYSTARCU.ORG 904-777-6000 · 1-800-445-6289 Certain restrictions and limitations apply. All loans are subject to credit approval. No Closing Costs offer available only when obtaining a VyStar Credit Union First Mortgage Loan and is not available on VA and FHA Mortgages. Available for purchase or refinance. VyStar will pay borrower closing costs up to a maximum amount of $5,000 excluding origination fee, discount points, private mortgage insurance, prepaid interest or funds to establish the member’s escrow account. If the borrower pays off the mortgage within the first 36 months, they will be required to reimburse VyStar for a portion of the closing costs paid by VyStar. Offer available for a limited time and subject to change without notice.
WE’D LIKE TO REMOVE THE WORD ‘STRESS’ FROM YOUR VOCABULARY. VyStar Title Agency* knows that closings can be tense. So, whether you’re a buyer, broker, Realtor, or lender, we’ll be there step-by-step to help make the process as fast and easy as possible. You’ll get the personal attention you deserve from the moment the file is opened until the last document is signed and delivered. So relax, and rely on VyStar Title Agency for precise, prompt, and professional service.
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SIGNS Sprout’s Farmer’s Market, Farm Fresh Produce, Natural Foods, Deli, Vitamins, 4873 Town Center Parkway, contractor is Interstate Sign & Light Corp., six permits for wall signs, $7,800. Dollar Tree, 2485 Monument Road, No. 17, contractor is Anchor Sign Inc., two permits for wall signs, $3,367. STORES, MERCANTILE O’Reilly Auto Parts, 11525 W. Beaver St., contractor is G.M. Northrup Corp., 7,225 square feet, two permits for new building and dumpster enclosure, $876,596. Lanier Holdings LLC, 439 E. Eighth St., contractor is Ticon Inc., 17,065 square feet, tenant build-out, $360,000. UTILITIES T-Mobile, 2702 N. Myrtle Ave., contractor is Inspired Technologies Inc., cell tower equipment upgrade, $65,000. Compiled by Scott Sailer * VyStar Title Agency, a division of VyStar Financial Group LLC; a wholly owned subsidiary of VyStar Credit Union. Not federally insured and not underwritten or guaranteed by the credit union.
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RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE
Page 8 • Thursday, May 23, 2019
Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer
Top 10 home sales of week BY SCOTT SAILER • STAFF WRITER
Here are the top 10 single-family residential real estate sales in Northeast Florida, comprising Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties. The sales were recorded May 13-17.
$1,900,000 6716 Epping Forest Way N. Jacksonville, Duval County About the property: Four-bedroom, 4½-bath, 4,703-square-foot home along the St. Johns River. Features include a new kitchen with custom cabinets, guest quarters, summer kitchen, pool and spa, dock and boatlift.
Type: Single-family Lot size: 0.45 acres House size: 4,703 square feet Buyer: Melinda M. and Peter A. Darbee Seller: Joy T. and William G. Pujadas
$1,575,000
$1,300,000
1424 Fletcher Ave. S., Fernandina Beach, Nassau County
3211 Ocean Drive, Jacksonville Beach, Duval County
Type: Single-family Lot size: 0.21 acres House size: 2,181 square feet Buyer: Todd M. and Lori L. Johnson Seller: Richard H. and Patricia Y. Kenner Previous sale: $119,000 in 1993
Type: Single-family Lot size: 0.17 acres House size: 1,909 square feet Buyer: John Bordelon Seller: John M. Hanna Jr. and Mary E. Hanna
$1,325,000
$1,245,000
608 Ibis Cove Place, Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Johns County
6280 Highlands Court, Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Johns County
Type: Single-family Lot size: 0.51 House size: 6,002 square feet Buyer: William and Tara Wegh Seller: Raymond and Kathleen Lee Previous sale: $1,510,000 in 2003
Type: Single-family Lot size: 0.79 acres House size: 6,385 square feet Buyer: Justin E. and Elizabeth E. Vianello Seller: Patrick A. and Rabia A. Browder Previous sale: $1,200,000 in 2018
$1,310,000
$1,200,000
$2,200,000
$1,650,000
$1,625,000
3 Sound Point Court, Fernandina Beach, Nassau County
3160 Florida 13 N., St. Johns County
1312 Strand St., Neptune Beach, Duval County
6230 Highlands Court, Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Johns County
2131 Fletcher Ave. S., Fernandina Beach, Nassau County
Type: Single-family Lot size: Not available House size: 1,618 square feet Buyer: Anthony Coviello, Rachel Schutzman and Rachel Schutzman as Trustee of the Thaddaeus Trust Seller: South JAX Beach LLC
Type: Single-family Lot size: 0.76 acres House size: 4,688 square feet Buyer: Jonathan H. and Jacquelyn L. Smyth Seller: Dann M. and Janet B. Thomasson Previous sale: $960,000 in 2015
Type: Single-family Lot size: 0.48 acres House size: Not available Buyer: Mary E. Medici Seller: Medici Properties LLC Previous sale: $1,200,000 in 2018
Type: Undeveloped singlefamily Lot size: 4.33 acres Buyer: Jan W. Mattson and Susan Wingert Seller: Kane & Terras Development LLC Previous sale: $100,000 in 2000
Type: Single-family Lot size: 1.01 acres House size: 6,930 square feet Buyer: Christy P. and Bruce W. Rouzie Seller: Richard and Kathleen P. Baracz
BE SEEN BUNDLE NAIOP QUARTERLY LUNCHEON MEETING
The Intersection of Industrial and Retail Panel discussion with four local leaders in the industrial and retail industry As E-commerce continues to drive demand in industrial real estate sites, the convergence of industrial and retail uses in commercial real estate continues to become more prevalent. This moderated discussion will touch on various questions surrounding the intersection of industrial and retail markets in CRE, including what drivers are pushing industrial users into retail sites and retailers into industrial sites, trends in warehouse/ fulfillment center uses and construction, factors driving building site selection and attributes of the northeast Florida region that position us to be set apart from other markets.
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Thursday, May 23, 2019 • Page 9
Did you know? Women’s Council has the most extensive network presence in the National Association of Realtors and they are the largest percent of RPAC donations of any NAR network or council.
www.WCRJax.org
May Member Spotlight
Tiffany Mayer, Homes and Land Magazine
DISTRICT ONE
POKER RUN
Tiffany Mayer Homes and Land Magazine
A little known or unknown fact (past or present) about yourself. Originally from Hawaii, Tiffany moved from the city of Kaneohe to Jacksonville when her husband was stationed at the Naval Air Station Jacksonville. Since his retirement, they decided to make Jacksonville home. After arriving in Jacksonville, Tiffany was offered the opportunity to serve as the command family ombudsman for Patrol Squadron 16 and later, the Fleet Readiness Center Southeast out of NAS Jacksonville. Among her accomplishments, Tiffany was nominated by the Fleet Readiness Southeast in 2015 for the Mrs. Sybil Stockdale Ombudsman of the Year Award and recognized by the command and Capt. J.G. Kemna as a “Homefront Hero”.
Thursday, June 13, 2019
What is your passion in the office? Outside the office? Tiffany’s passion inside the office is connecting, communicating, and building relationships with realtors and fellow industry affiliates. The opportunity to work with a wonderful group of professionals as they build their brand while they help people make one of the biggest decisions in their life.
5:30-7:30pm Movement Mortgage Jacksonville Beach and throughout the Beaches area.
Outside the office, Tiffany continues to remain involved in several community organizations. Tiffany is also a volunteer for various animal organizations where she participates in awareness events, serves as a foster, assists in rehabilitation, and finding new homes.
We will be walking and visiting different locations to pick up cards for the poker hand. Best hand wins!
Women’s Council Jacksonville and Womens Council Gainesville come together for our
ANNUAL DISTRICT ONE EVENT Friday, June 14, 2019
How has Women’s Council of Realtors benefited you personally and professionally? Being a member of the Women’s Council of Realtors has given Tiffany the opportunity to connect with Realtors and industry professionals, leading to strengthening business relationships and building friendships. During her transitional point in careers, Tiffany has found the council supportive and having much to offer in education, networking, resources, and community involvement.
2019 CALENDAR OF EVENTS JULY 3
Governing Board Meeting 9:00-10:00 a.m. | NEFAR
11:30am - 1:00pm | Casa Marina
JULY 18
691 1st Street N. | Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
Guest Speaker: Andrew Bell - State President for Women’s Council of realtors Topic: The Benefits of the Council
JULY 11
Summer Safari Tradeshow 4:00-7:00 p.m.
AUGUST 8
Industry Event – Pop Up Event
Networking and Social
Details to come!
5:00-7:00 p.m.
Industry Event Reservations MUST BE MADE by the Friday before the event due to final count needed for the venue.
Visit www.wcrjax.org to register.
We are looking for sponsors for our District One event. We have different levels available. Please contact Paula Givler for details – 904-233-3562.
Or contact Paula Givler at (904) 233-3562.
facebook.com/ groups/wcrjax/
If you wish to receive updated text messages from the Women’s Council of Realtors please text
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Page 10 • Thursday, May 23, 2019
Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer
THE SAILER REPORT
Lennar executive not concerned about a market downturn
Townhomes, single-family in review for NW Jacksonville BY SCOTT SAILER STAFF WRITER
A single-family and townhome development in Northwest Jacksonville is in city review. The development is north of Interstate 295 along Percy Road east of Lem Turner Road. Percy Oaks Partners LLC, associated with the Towers Group in St. Augustine, is planning 42 single-family lots and 80 townhomes on 23.5 acres in separate sections. The city is reviewing an application to rezone the property from agriculture and planned unit development to planned unit development. Single-family lots are proposed as a minimum 40-by-110 feet and townhomes will be a minimum 20-by-100 feet. The rezoning is represented by attorney Paul Harden and Dominion Engineering Group Inc.
SCOTT SAILER STAFF WRITER
Matt Devereaux, division president for the national homebuilder, has 46 communities in development in Northeast Florida. Matt Devereaux, division president at Lennar Corp., remains optimistic about the growth of new home sales in North Florida. Lennar is not concerned with a housing market downturn. “We look for places where people want to be and North Florida’s population growth is robust,” he said. Miami-based Lennar has 46 communities developed or under development in Duval, Clay, Nassau and St. Johns counties in Northeast Florida, according to Lennar.com Whether it’s climate, the Beaches or job growth, Devereaux said it is easy to see why the area would experience growth. Lennar offers homes ranging from the $100,000s to more than $700,000 and adjusts the product to location, demographics and the competition, he said. “We continue to look for land to purchase and develop, whether it’s finished homesites from a developer or it’s a piece that we are going to develop on our own, we are moving forward,” he said. There is a lot of opportunity, he said. Lennar keeps homes started and available. “We know there is going to be a need when somebody comes in that might need to close in 30 or 60 days. We want to have those opportunities and options for customers,” he said. Lennar’s business focuses on attracting a wide demographic of homebuyers. It does not intend to be a custom builder. Devereaux said Lennar offers “Everything’s Included,” meaning model homes have all the materials that a buyer would purchase, excluding furniture and decor. It includes the countertops, floor-
SSAILER@ JAXDAILYRECORD.COM (904) 356-2466
ing, cabinets and major components and finishes. He said it takes the stress and the complications out of buying a new home to make it as convenient as possible. “You’re not going to a design center and spend $50,000 to $60,000 to get the home the way you want it to be,” he said. Lennar also provides a Wi-Fi-certified home from the Wi-Fi Alliance, which means it met the industry standards for products provided. WiFi coverage is available throughout the house. Devereaux said it’s important to adapt to market trends, and many begin in California. Lennar tries to identify trends so they can be the lead builder that offers those in the local market at a value. “Things like wood plank floor tile is the most popular type of tile. We see those trends coming and we say everybody is going to get wood plank tile at no upcharge,” he said. Devereaux said quartz countertops are the most popular so they are a standard feature. Lennar also offers the NextGen floor plan, “The Home Within a Home.” It is designed for families with
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scenarios like aging parents or returning college children who are starting out. Millennials continually change what they want, he said, depending on what is taking place in their life, especially as they form families. He said location and payments are important, especially as millennials face student debt payments. He said Lennar is developing communities of smaller houses or townhomes that are “in great locations that have easy access to places like St. Johns Town Center and the Beaches and that are like the center of the universe for North Florida.” On the other side of the demographic, Lennar is developing Greenbriar Downs, a golf-oriented community in St. Johns County for residents 55 and older. Its name likely will change, he said. The attraction is an age-restricted “community where you can live and live down the street from your kids and grandkids can buy a home in Shearwater in another home built by Lennar.”
BY SCOTT SAILER STAFF WRITER
Morgan’s Cove, a proposed 279-acre single-family residential development along the eastern edge of Interstate 95 and north of County Road 214, filed an early clearing permit application with the St. Johns River Water Management District. Morgan’s Cove Ventures LLC, managed by John Byrnes of St. Simons Island, Georgia, bought the property for $2 million in December. In August, Morgan’s Cove Ventures applied to the Army Corps of Engineers to develop the property as singlefamily residential and removed plans by previous owners for commercial development along County Road 214. The change was to reduce the impact on wetlands in the area. “The revised project would provide moderate to lower cost residential housing for this region of St. Johns County,” the Corps report said. The permit is to harvest timber from upland and nonconservation areas on the property.
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Matt Devereaux, division president at Lennar Corp., says the company’s customers won’t have to spend thousands at a design center to get the finishes they want.
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Thursday, May 23, 2019 • Page 11
JEA budget: Less debt but slipping sales
MIKE MENDENHALL STAFF WRITER
Utility not planning to raises rates for customers in 2020. JEA’s residential and commercial customers won’t pay higher energy, water and wastewater rates in fiscal 2020. That was the recommendation from the public utility’s top administrators during its Finance and Audit Committee meeting Monday at JEA headquarters in Downtown Jacksonville. In the short term, that is considered good news for Jacksonville-area businesses and homeowners. But the decision comes as Florida’s largest municipal utility works to pay down its outstanding debt and fights ongoing trends of shrinking energy sales. The market is demanding more energy-efficient products, and renewable resources are incorporated into the energy mix. In its proposed 2020 budget, JEA staff reduced revenue pro-
ADAPTING TO THE TRENDS
JEA Managing Director and CEO Aaron Zahn attributes a large portion of the declining energy sales to energy efficiency reinforced by the federal Energy Policy Act and, to a lesser extent, the advent of renewables like solar energy. Energy efficiency efforts have meant lower bills for consumers and less environmental impact, but for utilities like JEA, it’s been a hit to the bottom line. Since 2006, JEA has seen an 8% decrease in megawatt hour demand. From 2007 through 2017, that translates to an average $130 million loss in projected revenue per year. The declining sales come during a period of growth for Jacksonville and JEA’s customer base. From 2006 to 2018, JEA grew by 64,269 accounts, a rise of 16%.
Zahn shared these figures during JEA’s State of the Authority annual meetZahn ing in April at City Hall. To keep up with growth in renewables, power companies like JEA have to adapt quickly. On Feb. 6, a 1,900-squarefoot home on Jacksonville’s Southside effectively became independent of JEA. The home filed an interconnect agreement with JEA — a contract signed by every customer using home generation and puts power back on to the public power grid. “This customer put in about 12 kilowatts of solar, 40 kilowatts of battery and, ultimately, is no longer a JEA customer. They’ll pay us $5 per month for a backup system,” Zahn said. “This is an initial adopter,” he said. “Just like the person standing in line in 2007 for the iPhone, they’re a signal of what’s happening around us.” According to Zahn, solar use has seen a compounded annual growth rate in JEA’s territory of 67% since 2014. That is a net income loss of $2.5 million annually for the utility to decentralized power systems, independent of JEA. In the 2020s, as batteries for decentralized storage become more affordable, JEA expects similar losses. According to the April presentation, categories like home solar generation plus
65% this year to an estimated $58.9 million in fiscal 2020, up from $35.7 million in 2019.
storage will have similar cost JEA’s product by 2025. REDUCING DEBT
Part of the solution to ensure JEA’s financial health is paying down debt. In December, the utility announced an initiative to pay down nearly $480 million in debt over the next fiscal year. JEA decreased its total energy and water system debt in fiscal 2019 by $107.2 million, mostly due to Phase I of the utility’s Strategic and Timely Asset Realignment plan to reduce and eliminate debt service. Since the plan’s introduction, there has been $200 million in early debt retirement, according to JEA staff. JEA wants to reduce its debt by another $90 million in Phase II at the end of this year. “The long story short, absent the STAR plan, we’d be talking about rate increases,” Zahn said.
THINKING LONG-TERM
Zahn expects initiatives to reduce the costs of future liabilities, like a $1.5 million research and development study on processes and new techniques hoping to reduce the $2.4 billion price associated with septic tank removal in Jacksonville. JEA committed $15.5 million toward an initial phaseout program in February to underserved Jacksonville neighborhoods. The R&D for the broader phase-out is in its early stages. “When you have a $2.5 billion problem, spending a million dollars to try and make it substantially less is a very good return on investment,” Zahn said. At next week’s JEA board meeting, staff will present a status quo budget forecast — the business outlook for JEA absent substantial changes to its operating model. Eventually, Zahn expects JEA will need additional cost-saving measures as well as growth initiatives, additional offerings to customers and adjusted rate structures to remain healthy. The board meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday at JEA headquarters, 21 W. Church St.
JEA AND THE CITY BUDGET
JEA’s health also is important to the city’s bottom line. The 2020 budget report shows JEA will pay an estimated $118.8 million to city coffers in the coming fiscal year. If franchise fees and public service and sales taxes collected by JEA are factored in, JEA’s total transfers to the city have grown to $246 million — a 55.4% increase since 2007. Employee overhead costs also present a challenge for JEA. Due to rising insurance claims, employee benefits costs at JEA are expected to rise
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THE MENDENHALL REPORT
jections in its energy budget to $1.25 million from $1.28 million in fiscal 2019 to align sales with growth trends. JEA staff also is planning for a decrease of $11.9 million in fuel and purchased power next year. Staff also projects a decrease in operating revenue and expenses in water and wastewater systems because of a projected lower sales volume. The JEA board will review the 2020 budget next week and is required by its charter to deliver it to Jacksonville City Council President Aaron Bowman by July 1.
Page 12 • Thursday, May 23, 2019
Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer
THE BASCH REPORT
New Jacksonville entrant on Fortune list
MARK BASCH CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Rayonier Advanced Materials joins list of largest companies after doubling its size with Tembec acquisition. The usual suspects from Jacksonville made this year’s Fortune 500 list of America’s largest companies, but one new contender edged its way into the Fortune 1000 list. CSX Corp., Fidelity National Information Services Inc. and Fidelity National Financial Inc. once again made the Fortune 500 and Landstar System Inc. continued in the Fortune 1000. However, Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. entered the Fortune 1000 list this year after more than doubling its size with its late 2017 acquisition of competitor Tembec Inc. The current Fortune magazine lists are based on 2018 revenue and after the Tembec deal, Rayonier AM’s revenue reached $2.134 billion last year, placing it 951st in the newly released Fortune 1000. Meanwhile, CSX ranked 260th in the Fortune 500 with $12.25 billion in revenue, Fidelity National Information Services, or FIS, ranked 361st with $8.423 billion and Fidelity National Financial Inc. ranked 402nd with $7.594 billion. Landstar ranked 564th in the Fortune 1000 with $4.619 billion, moving up from 638th last year and getting closer to the more iconic Fortune 500. The 500th company on this year’s list, Levi Strauss & Co., had $5.575 billion. Jacksonville has another company that could be large enough for the list: Southeastern Grocers LLC, operator of Winn-Dixie and three other supermarket chains. However, Fortune only includes publicly traded companies and other companies that file official financial reports with a regulatory
agency on its lists. As a private company, Southeastern Grocers doesn’t file public financial reports. Both Fidelity companies will likely move up in the rankings next year. FIS has agreed to buy Worldpay Inc., and the two companies combined produced $12.3 billion in 2018 revenue. Fidelity National Financial has agreed to buy Stewart Information Services Corp., which had revenue of $1.9 billion last year. However, completion of the merger of the two title insurance companies has been held up by state and federal antitrust reviews, and the companies likely will have to divest some business to gain approval.
Two Jacksonville companies quadruple revenue
Two Jacksonville-based companies last week reported they nearly quadrupled revenue in the first quarter. ARC Group Inc., operator of the Dick’s Wings & Grill restaurant chain, increased sales after acquiring another restaurant chain called Fat Patty’s in August. Sales rose from $1.19 million in the first quarter of 2018 to $4.59 million in this year’s first quarter. Fat Patty’s contributed $2.7 million in this year’s first quarter. Meanwhile Duos Technologies Group Inc. experienced a similar gain, growing revenue from $1.15 million last year to $4.35 million. The intelligent security and analytical technology solutions firm said it grew revenue in all areas of its business. Besides the acquisition, ARC Group said it grew sales at its existing Dick’s restaurants. “We expect our revenue will continue to increase during the next 12 months as we generate sales through our companyowned restaurants, continue to improve the operations of our existing Dick’s Wings and Fat Patty’s restaurants, and open new Dick’s Wings and Fat Patty’s restaurants,” CEO Seenu Kasturi said in a news release. The Jacksonville-based company also has agreed to buy the Tilted Kilt restaurant chain, but hasn’t said when that deal may close. Although sales jumped, ARC Group had a net loss of
the investment demonstrates management and the board’s support for the company.
Minimal revenue for ParkerVision
Dick’s Wings & Grill
Sales soared for the operator of Dick’s Wings & Grill after the chain’s parent company acquired the Fat Patty’s restaurant chain.
$414,243 in the quarter. Kasturi said “operating expenses increased due to the company-owned restaurants that we opened and acquired and the buildout of our infrastructure.”
headcount to 58 employees, plus 11 full-time contractors overseas.” Duos is projecting total revenue of $14 million to $15 million this year, based on current contracts.
Duos Technologies reports profit
GEE Group revenue tumbles 9%
While Duos Technologies grew revenue, it also was profitable in the first quarter with net income of $44,000, its second profit in the last three quarters. During a conference call last week to discuss the results with investors, CEO Gianni Arcaini took time to explain what Duos does. “In simple terms, we create highly sophisticated technology solutions for our wide range of customers. We focus on improving their business processes to ultimately provide a measurable ROI (return on investment),” he said, according to a transcript of the call posted by the company. Arcaini said Duos has developed advanced tools which “include machine learning and other forms of artificial intelligence, as well as advanced video analytics.” Duos is trying to grow the company, although Arcaini said it’s difficult to recruit talent. “The current talent pool available for hire continues to be very tight, particularly within the AI and machine learning disciplines,” he said. “Investment in R&D continues to be a central part of our company’s financial plan. As part of this investment, we’ve also added 25 people to our core group, bringing our total
Jacksonville-based staffing firm GEE Group Inc. last week reported a net loss of $3.9 million, or 34 cents a share, for its second quarter ended March 31 as revenue fell 9% to $36.2 million. GEE cited several reasons for the drop in revenue, including slower post-holiday hiring in many markets, reductions in temporary workforce requirements for “a few key customers” and bad weather in the company’s Midwest and Northeast markets. Despite the decline in revenue, CEO Derek Dewan said in a news release the company is “encouraged” that the increased use of contingent labor in the gig economy will drive demand for its staffing services. “The company continues to focus on internal growth and increasing market share through targeted sales and marketing efforts directed to existing and new customers,” Dewan said. “The company’s internal growth efforts will be augmented by strategic acquisitions,” he said. GEE Group also said last week that members of management and the board of directors agreed to invest $2 million in notes that can be converted into stock. Dewan said in the release
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As ParkerVision Inc. winds down operations of its inhome wireless internet product called Milo, the Jacksonvillebased company last week reported revenue of just $10,000 for the first quarter. ParkerVision, which has been developing wireless technology, announced it was abandoning Milo after disappointing sales and focusing only on its series of patent infringement lawsuits pending against several mobile device manufacturers. “Furthermore, we have significantly reduced our operating costs during the past three quarters and continue to seek further cost reductions, as well as both short-term and longterm financing. We believe that we have the opportunity to secure additional litigation funding in the near term in order to support our patent enforcement program,” CEO Jeff Parker said in a news release. ParkerVision did not hold a quarterly conference call to discuss its results. The company reported a net loss of $2.1 million, or 7 cents a share, for the first quarter.
mCig narrows focus to supply Jacksonville-based mCig Inc., which has been operating a range of businesses serving the legal cannabis markets, said in a letter to shareholders it is narrowing its focus. “We will focus on supplying growers, extractors, infused product-makers, brands, and large multi-state operators with a range of products and services that meet and exceed the critical needs in their supply chains,” CEO Paul Rosenberg said in the letter. In January, mCig spun off a marketing and advertising software company called Obitx Inc. into a separate public company. The company reported sales of $1.9 million and a net loss of $1.6 million in the nine months ended Jan. 31. MBASCH@ JAXDAILYRECORD.COM
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Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer
Thursday, May 23, 2019 • Page 13
Bowling: Amelia resident is still inventing CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
and no directional map to success. He hired a patent attorney and toy consultant. “You can’t sell an idea,” Bowling said, “but you can sell a patent, a copyright and a trademark.” He found craftspeople to create a professional prototype based on the floppy-eared stuffed dog he made and sold to fellow workers at the Ford plant. It featured droopy, expressive eyes. By the way, one of his first handmade Pound Puppies recently sold for $5,000. Even with a professionally crafted toy with packaging that looked like a dog carrier from the pound, the idea was rejected by 14 toy companies before Irwin Toy in Canada bought the licensing in 1984. A year later, the Tonka company, wanting to expand its brand past toy trucks, bought the U.S. rights. When Irwin Toy bought the rights, Bowling was $85,000 in debt. One of the greatest joys of his new career was depositing that first check and paying every one of his creditors, he said. Pound Puppies has been identified as the first truly unisex toy, Bowling said, with girls making up 60% of the sales and boys being the other 40%. In 1985, more than 2.5 million puppies were sold, according to the mentalfloss.com fact and trivia site. That led to the Pound Puppies animated series on TV. Pound Puppies made Time magazine’s “All-Time 100 Greatest Toys” list. Health issues in 2011 prompted Bowling to sell his ownership of the Pound Puppies brand to Hasbro. He retains a relationship with Hasbro and its partner, Basic Fun!, as a consultant and creator. Bowling declined to say what he was paid and said that as part of the deal he could not disclose the price. In 1993, Bowling was looking for a vacation home near the ocean. Over 30 days he traveled throughout Florida’s West coast and north on Interstate 95 throughout Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. He reached Amelia Island the first week in May, unknowingly arriving at the time of annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival. He had found his new home. “I realized I can do my business anywhere. Why not move here and live in paradise all year long?” he said. At 69, he could retire to his oceanfront home. Instead, he has an office near the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport where he continues to oversee quality control and work on new toy ideas. His latest is Splashlings, a world of tiny mermaids that live in seashells. This September in time for the holidays, Pound Puppies will be reintroduced in Target and on Amazon.com so that parents who grew up with the brand can buy some for their children. After the speech, Bowling sat for an interview. These are edited excerpts.
Photos by Dede Smith
Mike Bowling, the creator of Pound Puppies, sold the brand to Hasbro in 2011, but he continues to oversee quality and work on new toy ideas at his office in Fernandina Beach.
Because plush toys existed, how did you get past the notion that your idea wasn’t totally original? There were plenty of plush dogs in the marketplace at the time. What I did was create my own identity within the category. My marketing and the name were what it was all about. They were Pound Puppies. They had an identity without having an identity. It didn’t have an identity until the child picked it out, brought it home. It came from a place, the pound. Why did you choose not to give each puppy a name and a backstory? The child determined that. If you had two identical Pound Puppies, white, long-eared Pound Puppies on the shelf, a boy could come up and pick it and call it Spike and a girl could pick it and call it Susie and it would take on her personality. Other companies I have worked with have wanted to create breed-specific dogs and give them a name. You can’t do that and succeed. Your idea was rejected by 14 toy companies. Talk about the importance of perseverance. I was determined from the start for this to succeed, even if I had to make some handmade ones myself and build them slowly to become a craze. Remember the Cabbage Patch doll? It was a craze before it hit the toy market. Everyone was going to Georgia to get one from the “hospital.” It was slow rolling and kept going and going. Had all the toy companies turned me down, I would have made my own and built it that way. Most of the toy companies
that turned me down did so strictly as a marketing decision. They weren’t looking for a plush toy that year. They might have already had a plush toy they were ready to introduce. You have a child with cerebral palsy. With Ford, you had medical insurance. How did you make the decision to give up that security to pursue this dream? In order for me to provide for my daughter, I saw this as my opportunity to succeed and get out of the factory and be able to take care of her in any way, shape or form. It has proven to be true. I never worried about me being able to make a living. (At Ford) I had seniority, benefits and a weekly paycheck. A lot of people don’t pursue ideas because of that. Talk about your early success. I remember the biggest rush of enjoyment I got out of inventing Pound Puppies. I licensed it first in Canada in 1984. After it was just in the marketplace, I went to Canada for a business meeting and on the way home I was in the airport and across from me was a little girl with a Pound Puppy. It was the first one I had ever seen in the marketplace. I sat quietly watching her love on it and hug on it. That is such an experience to have an idea, go through the struggles to get your idea out there and watching a child play with it. Was there ever seller’s remorse after selling to Hasbro in 2011? Yes, until I decided to get back in the toy business (with Splashlings). It was my baby. I’m glad to say that Hasbro has licensed Pound Puppies to a partner
Piles of Pound Puppies are found in Bowling’s Fernandina Beach office.
company, Basic Fun! I am working with them as a consultant now on the relaunch so that it is relaunched correctly. The creative part is the part that I love. You acquired $85,000 in debt. How did you get people to invest in your dream and promise that they’d eventually get their money? It was a combination of people. Box manufacturers and seamstresses, they wanted their money. I am talking about the bigger piece of the pie – my lawyers. I had convinced them that it was a great idea, so they hung in there with me. I was not (my lawyer) Greg Lunn’s biggest client by any means. However, I ran up $24,000 in legal bills and in 1984 that was a lot of money. How has marketing a toy changed from the initial introduction of Pound Puppies to marketing Splashlings? It’s very tough in this day and age. We were the No. 2 best-
selling toy (in the small doll/ collectible category) in Toys R Us and then they went away. That hurt in a big way. When I started in 1984, the Toy Fair in New York lasted two weeks because all the buyers went through. Now it’s just three days and that is because Walmart and Target control 80% of the business. If you are not inside them, you are in trouble as far as being able to have market share. A certain generation has its Pound Puppy stories. Do you ever tire of them? That is one of the biggest enjoyments I get now is the many, many, many stories. A gentleman here today told me that he was driving his family on a vacation out West and when they got to Lake City, his daughter realized that she had forgotten her Pound Puppy. He had to turn around and drive back to Jacksonville to get her puppy. She wasn’t going to go on vacation without her Pound Puppy. That’s how much it meant to her.
Page 14 • Thursday, May 23, 2019
Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer
6 nominated for Duval court vacancy THE COURTS & LAW
BY MAX MARBUT • ASSOCIATE EDITOR
The 4th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission on May 8 sent six Duval County Court nominees to Gov. Ron DeSantis for consideration to replace recently appointed Circuit Judge Meredith Charbula. They will be interviewed in Tallahassee by the governor’s staff. DeSantis has 60 days from May 8 to appoint one of the nominees to the Duval County Court.
Michael Fackler
Rhonda Peoples-Waters
W. Bradley Russell Jr.
Shareholder at Milam Howard Nicandri Gillam & Renner
President and owner of Rhonda Peoples-Waters PA
Associate attorney at Foley & Lardner
Age: 45
Age: 38
Peoples-Waters graduated from the University of Florida Levin College of Law and was admitted to The Florida Bar in 1999. She practices criminal defense law including armed robbery, domestic battery, DUI, manslaughter and first-degree murder. Her personal injury law experience includes motor vehicle accidents and slip-and-fall cases. In her application, Peoples-Waters indicated she has taken more than 50 jury trials to a verdict. This is the 11th time Peoples-Waters has applied for a 4th Circuit or Duval County judicial vacancy. “I believe I am qualified for both and I believe the county court will be my path to the circuit court,” she said in her interview.
A graduate of William & Mary Law School, Russell was admitted to The Florida Bar in 2006 and to the Tennessee Bar in 2018. He was a trial attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., from August 2008 until January 2015 when he joined Foley & Lardner. Russell was nominated May 8 after his first application for appointment to the bench. Asked in his interview if he or his family would have any concern over the reduction in compensation, compared to being in private practice, that would occur if he is appointed county judge, Russell said that even though he has a wife and four young children, “This is something we can do. I am called to public service.” “I want to have an effect on the lives of people and their perception of the justice system,” he said.
R. Anthony Salem
Julie Taylor
David Tucker
Assistant general counsel for the city of Jacksonville
General counsel for the 4th Judicial Circuit
Age: 34
Age: 48
Regional counsel for the Florida Department of Children and Families Northeast Region
Salem graduated from Stetson University College of Law. He was admitted to The Florida Bar in 2010. A former assistant state attorney and private practice lawyer who represented personal injury defendants, Salem joined the city’s Office of General Counsel in 2017. As a city lawyer, he works in the employment litigation practice section, representing the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Jacksonville Transportation Authority, JEA and Duval County School Board. Salem said in his interview that he is “drawn to the courtroom and its impact on people.” A first-time applicant, Salem said he views appointment to the county court as a step toward the circuit bench. “Sometimes, you have to walk before you run,” he said.
A graduate of Samford University Cumberland School of Law, Taylor was admitted to The Florida Bar in 1996. As court counsel. Taylor assists circuit and county court judges in Clay, Duval and Nassau counties with the administration of court-related functions, such as human resources, contracts and programs that are conducted within the court system. She is a former assistant state attorney and assistant public defender and said in her interview that experience gives her the background to be a county court judge. “County court deals with people from all walks of life. I’ve done that all my career,” Taylor said. This is the fifth time since 2005 she has applied for a judicial vacancy.
Age: 47 A graduate of the University of Florida Levin College of Law, Fackler was admitted to The Florida Bar in 2002. He’s a general commercial litigation practitioner and joined Milam Howard in 2007. Fackler became a shareholder at the firm in 2016. Born in Atlanta, his family moved to Jacksonville when he was 11 years old. After graduating from St. Johns Country Day School, Fackler attended college at Northwestern University and returned to Jacksonville after graduating from law school at the University of Florida. Since March 2017, Fackler has applied for five 4th Circuit and Duval County judicial vacancies. “I don’t dislike the process. I think about why I want to be a judge each time and I think I’d be very good at this job,” Fackler said in his interview.
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Age: 56 Tucker graduated from the University of Florida Levin College of Law and was admitted to The Florida Bar in 1987. He also applied for judicial vacancies in March 2017, May and December 2018 and February 2019. Tucker is a designated hearing officer and has presided over about 30 cases involving child and foster care licensure and adoption applicants who challenge review committee decisions. He sometimes heard cases argued by people who did not have an attorney and represented themselves. “As an officer of the court, part of my obligation is to make sure it’s a meaningful hearing. When the hearing is over, they know they got their day in court,” Tucker said in his interview.
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Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer
Thursday, May 23, 2019 • Page 15
Partner at Moseley Prichard Parrish Knight & Jones
BY MAX MARBUT • ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Joni Poitier is a partner and civil litigator at Moseley Prichard Parrish Knight & Jones and recipient of the 2019 Woman Lawyer of the Year award from the Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association. Who or what inspired you to become a lawyer? I knew in fifth grade after a former U.S. prosecutor spoke with my class about his work and impact on the local community that I wanted to be a lawyer. In high school, I was fortunate enough to intern with Judge Wendell Graham, a now retired 11th Circuit judge. This opportunity and experience solidified my desire to become a lawyer. Someone who inspires me: My 89-year-old grandmother. She has always been a strong, faithful woman who is a source of strength, support and guidance. How do you relate your undergraduate degree to your practice of law? A degree in psychology has allowed me to relate to clients and opposing counsel. Lawyers play many roles including that of counselor and therapist for clients, witnesses and victims. My degree has assisted me in these roles. How did you decide your practice area? And why have you chosen that? After law school, I worked as an assistant state attorney. I gained immeasurable criminal courtroom experience and was able to make an impact in the community, especially when I worked in the Sexual Assault Division. I knew that once I left the criminal realm, I wanted to gain experience handling civil
cases. At my firm, I handle a variety of cases, including product liability and personal injury defense, maritime, railroad and other complex civil litigation matters.
Age: 38 Education: Spelman College, bachelor’s in psychology, 2002; Vanderbilt University Law School, J.D., 2005
If I could change anything in the legal system, I would: Require presuit mediation. A significant amount of cases resolve through mediation and pre-suit mediation would lead to more disputes being resolved prior to litigation commencing.
Hometown: Miami
What community service have you pursued and why that? I volunteer with many organizations including the Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital, Family Foundations of Northeast Florida, the St. Bernadette Council at St. Pius V Catholic Church and Catholic Charities Bureau. I serve as the co-chair of the diversity committee for the Jacksonville Bar Association and volunteer with the Ribault Future Lawyers and Leaders Mentoring Program. I also serve as the vice chair of the Florida Elections Commission. I strive to be a servant leader and my father always told me that we are here on this earth for what you can do for others, not necessarily what you can do for yourself.
Favorite book: “Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence” by Sarah Young
What’s your advice for new lawyers? The best experience is courtroom experience. Your reputation is everything. Find a style and practice that works for you.
Family: Mother, Arleen Poitier; father, Dr. Joseph Poitier; and sister, Alexandria Poitier
Book I’m reading now: “Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood” by Trevor Noah Websites and apps I can’t live without: Amazon, Audible and Instagram Favorite nonwork activities: Traveling, spending time with friends and shopping Special to the Daily Record
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IN THE LAW
JONI POITIER
JONI POITIER
Page 16 • Thursday, May 23, 2019
Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer
Celebrating the Life and Legacy of
Michelline Haynes Ruth April 10, 1956 - May 15, 2019
M
ichelline peacefully transitioned into eternal rest Wednesday, May 15th. While we mourn her passing, we should take peace in knowing that Michelline was a woman of strong faith. The daughter of a civil rights leader, Michelline’s impressive 37 year legal career began at Georgetown Law School in the early 1980’s. Capt. Michelline Haynes served with the Army’s 25th Infantry Division Judge Advocate General (JAG) Office and was one of the first women to complete the U.S. Army’s Air Assault Combat Training School, earning her the coveted Air Assault Badge. Michelline also served 12 years with the Jacksonville State Attorney’s Office, primarily as a Felony Division Chief. It was at this time where she met her future husband, now sitting Duval County Court Judge, James Ruth, also a U.S. Army veteran (Colonel, retired). Together, they are the proud parents of one son and two daughters. Michelline worked in nearly every division from misdemeanors to homicides and prided herself on bringing justice for victims. She worked the next 13 years as lead defense counsel for Allstate and Geico insurance companies before joining Ron Sholes, P.A. where she developed and oversaw the firm’s successful personal injury litigation department. As a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, Michelline was a recognized expert in civil trial law. However, her work (and reputation) in the legal community speaks for itself, whether it was representing defendants or plaintiffs. Michelline was not only a force for justice, but she had compassion for her clients. She was an inspiration and role model to many – even to those who opposed her in the courtroom.
Highest level of recognition by The Florida Bar of the competency and experience of attorneys in the area of Civil Law.
The attorneys and staff of the Law Offices of Ron Sholes, P.A. are honored to have worked with Michelline for the past six years. We will remember Michelline for her zest for life, warm smile, kindness, generosity, patriotism and, of course, her legal prowess, leadership, teamwork, dedication, determination and professionalism. We celebrate Michelline’s life and legacy and we will always remember her for the great things she did and the great person she was. She will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with her wonderful family and all those who were close to her. Michelline, we salute you!
Earned the coveted Air Assault Badge by completing the Army Air Assault Combat Training School a distinction rarely achieved by women at the time.
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Accepted into the Million and Multimillion Dollar Advocates Forum for obtaining million and multi-million dollar verdicts for her clients.
Celebration of Life| Tuesday, May 28 • 10 AM
ST. PAUL A.M.E. CHURCH • 6910 NEW KINGS ROAD • JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA 32219
Interment with Military Honors Tuesday, May 28 • 1 PM
JACKSONVILLE NATIONAL CEMETERY 4083 LANNIE RD • JACKSONVILLE, FL 32218