Daily Record Financial News &
Friday, August 21, 2015
Vol. 102, No. 200 • One Section
35¢ www.jaxdailyrecord.com
Choice for top attorney likely soon Group will make recommendation for general counsel
By David Chapman Staff Writer The lawyer-laden group that will recommend the city’s next lead attorney could name finalists this afternoon and be a week away from announcing its selection. The five-member group has discussed a number of names in the past two months, though just two attorneys applied for the job. Jason Gabriel, the city’s acting general counsel since May 2014, and Patrick Krechowski, a Gray-
Delaney
Hightower returns to JEA for new job
Robinson attorney and of counsel for Neptune Beach, officially put their names in the running. That doesn’t necessarily mean either will get the position. “It’s a situation where the position is open until filed,” said John Delaney, former mayor and city general counsel, who is leading the group. “Someone can still toss their resume in.” In fact, when the General Counsel Review Committee meets at 2 p.m., there could be others who emerge. Delaney said “a number of
names” have come up in conversations since the group began meeting at the University of North Florida in mid-June. He declined to say who had been discussed as a potential match. The group can recommend people who haven’t formally applied for an interview. Delaney said individual members of the committee have privately talked to a number of lawyers in town, gauging interest in the position while encouraging others. Stepping out without some type of assurance can cause hesitancy.
“People don’t want to be embarrassed,” he said. “We just have a conversation with them … it’s still a fairly small Bar in this town and people have a reputation.” Despite the lack of formal entries, Delaney said feedback has been good from the private sector. It likely will come down to one or two people the group selects for interviews, which he hopes can be scheduled for the first part of next week. Counsel continued on Page A-2
The shark is back in the park
Will lead utility’s public affairs team Talk about a banner 10 days. Last weekend, Mike Hightower’s cherished 21-month-old granddaughter, Gracie, said “grandpa” — or something close to it — two times. On Wednesday, he and his wife, Sue, celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary at a quiet dinner at a restaurant near their new house. And earlier that day, he was offered the job as chief public affairs officer at JEA, a place he spent nearly 16 years on the board. It is an intriguing opportunity for the 70-year-old Hightower, who’s already had what he describes as “the most extraordinary career.” Hightower built his reputation and influence during 34 years Hightower of lobbying for Florida Blue and decades of raising millions of dollars and shaping candidates for the Republican party. He failed at retirement from Florida Blue after just four months, joining Holland & Knight as a senior policy adviser in December. Recently, he was approached by a couple of people about the JEA job being vacated by Bud Para, who retired in June. Hightower talked to Paul McElroy, the utility’s CEO, who explained the process of the utility’s national search. Because Hightower heard about the job early, he had about a month to consider whether to apply. Leaving Holland & Knight, where he was enjoying being a non-lawyer in a lawyer’s world, was difficult to consider. The firm had been supportive from the start, making Hightower feel like a Hightower
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After spending a few weeks at the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens during the North Florida Shark Festival, “Spark Attack” returned Thursday to the fountain at Hemming Park. The public art was created for One Spark 2015 by the Enlivened Spaces class at the University of North Florida. The shark is the third in a series of floating sculptures for One Spark. A giant yellow duck appeared at the 2013 festival, while an orange Goldfish cracker was placed in the fountain for One Spark 2014.
Photo by Max Marbut
By Marilyn Young Editor
$1.3M ‘refresh’ pending for TD Auto TD Auto Finance, which had been looking for additional office space, has decided to renovate its existing space in the Deerwood North office park. The city is reviewing a building permit application for a $1.3 million renovation for TD Auto Finance’s 28,635 square feet of space at 4600 Touchton Road E. TD Bank spokeswoman Jennifer Morneau confirmed Thursday that the company has renewed the lease for the TD Auto Finance operations and would renovate its existing space. “This reflects TD’s commitment to the Florida market and our role as a leading financial institution in the area,” said Morneau, corporate communications manager. She said the goal is to update the space with TD’s standards for its regional proper-
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ties and create a more comfortable working environment for its employees. She said it will install new carpets and finishes, add more energy-efficient lighting and renovate public spaces. TD Auto Finance will continue to operate at the site during renovations. Plans show the “TD Auto Finance Refresh” project is designed in three phases. The company leases the fourth floor of
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the four-story Building 200. Brian Jantzi, manager of corporate communications and corporate and public affairs for TD Bank, previously said Jacksonville serves as one of the bank’s three key operational hubs and that the company was committed to growing its operations over time in Northeast Florida. Morneau said the space has the capacity for 270 employees and the renovations will create room for about 20 more. She said the company was under capacity currently. In addition to workstations, plans show the renovations include training space, conference rooms, office areas and a lunch room/town hall. CAL Development Inc. of Coconut Creek is the contractor, while Gensler of Tampa is Mathis continued on Page A-2
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