LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD JIM ENGLAND, BOB THIMS –POSTHUMOUS, DOUG MILLER

The founders of ETM, Inc.

The 2022 NAIOP Northeast Florida Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Jim England, the late Bob Thims and Doug Miller. This award is given in honor of William “Bill” Drennon who was one of this city’s great real estate professionals and ambassadors and recognizes a commercial real estate professional who has distinguished him or herself for outstanding achievement and professionalism. His tireless efforts on behalf of the real estate industry and our city were legendary. This year’s recipients are equally legendary. As the founding members of England-Thims & Miller, their contributions to some of Northeast Florida’s largest and most pivotal developments over the past 45plus years are unmatched.

However, 45 years ago, ETM also had a different silhouette from the company we know today. When formed, it consisted of two men, Jim England, and Bob Thims, who met while working for RS&H. They left RS&H together to become the first employees of BHR (now Arcadis) and set up shop in the garage of a house on church property. Shortly thereafter, Charlie Bassett, who owned his own surveying company, enticed them to team up with him, move out of that garage, and form Bassett, England & Thims, Inc. In 1979, Doug Miller joined the company and became an owner in 1982. The company was then renamed to England-Thims & Miller, Inc. While ETM’s contributions to our city are extensive and impressive, even more so is the culture, leadership and reputation of these three gentlemen among their employees, peers, communities and clients. They built their company with a focus on Christian principles, hard work, genuine appreciation and gratitude. In a past interview, when asked if ETM’s culture was intentional and planned, Jim England said: “Yes. A quality employee is worth every penny you pay them. You have to have a team who respects each other and works well with each other. No internal politics, no backstabbing, no negative talk. All for one, one for all. It was important to us to make sure people enjoyed coming to work. If you don’t enjoy it, do something else. Life is too short.”

2022 Naiop Award Winners

Office Broker Of The Year Preston Phillips Jll

How long have you been in the real estate industry? 15 years

If you won the lottery tomorrow, where would we find you and what would you be doing? Traveling the world to experience the most iconic golf courses and attempting to break 90.

What do you enjoy most about your work? Solving problems for my clients and delivering solutions. Each transaction presents its own set of unique challenges, so each day is different and never gets boring.