-
Chamber Newsroom
November 18, 2021
St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce to Recognize TOP 4 Volunteer Leaders At Celebrate 2021!
(St. Augustine, FL) Four Chamber members will be recognized at Celebrate 2021 on Nov. 18 at the new Renaissance St. Augustine Historic Downtown Hotel on W. Castillo Drive. Randy Bradley, Kanti Patel, Nancy Dering Mock, and Amy Upchurch have been chosen to receive the 2021 Leadership Awards from the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce.
Randy Bradley, Northrop Grumman, will receive the Member of the Year Award for his outstanding commitment to the business community and his authentic leadership.
For her six years of outstanding contributions to the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the staff, and the Leadership St. Johns Program, Nancy Dering Mock will be receiving the President’s Award.
Amy Upchurch, Founder, Pink Stork, will be presented the Small Business of the Year Award for choosing her hometown to grow her mission-oriented, woman-led global company and for encouraging other businesses to invest at home. And Kanti Patel, Jalaram Hotels, will receive the Fred Schroeder Economic Development Council Member of the Year Award for his vision and commitment to investing in the history of St. Augustine One Hotel at a Time.
November 15, 2021
St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce’s pivotal role in first County
Entrepreneurial Summit to be held from Nov. 17 until Nov. 19St. Augustine, Fla. – November 15, 2021 – In a first for St. Johns County, the ENTERCIRCLE Entrepreneurship Summit will feature St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce leaders on Wednesday, November 17 until Friday, November 19 from 1 pm until 8:30 pm each day at the link in Nocatee, 425 Town Plaza Avenue in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
the link is the entrepreneurship hub in St. Johns County and a steppingstone in establishing a strong entrepreneurship ecosystem in the region to benefit current and future local entrepreneurs.
According is Isabelle Renault, St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce’s President and CEO, St. Johns County is vigorously attracting new businesses. “The Summit will provide an opportunity for local business owners to launch their companies surrounded by a support system. Both the link and the Summit are critical elements of a vibrant economic and innovation landscape,” she said. “The Chamber has been supporting the link since its start and we are delighted to be involved in ENTERCIRCLE going forward. The efforts materialized with the link’s founder Raghu Misra along with his vision and financial investment in building the facility.”
ENTERCIRCLE’S robust agenda will feature the final pitches from students of the current Chamber entrepreneurship program PITCH FACTORY. Starting as a St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce initiative with the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce in 2018, the program helps entrepreneurs define value propositions and refine their pitches over six weeks, culminating with presentations to investors and future customers.
In addition, Chamber leadership will be represented at ENTERCIRCLE with four women sharing their expertise as speakers, moderators and panelists. Gina Magnus with Flagler Health+, serves on the Chamber’s economic development council executive committee. She will be speaking about Nurturing an Entrepreneurial Spirit.
Beth Sweeny with Flagler College, and Vice Chair of the Chamber, will be moderating two panels, one on women in entrepreneurship and one on women in politics. Renault will join Sweeney as a panelist on the Entrepreneurship Panel. Donna Lueders, Chamber Board member, Chairman of North Business Council, and Executive Director of INK!, will address Focus Outward for Success.
Many Chamber members are supporting the event including Truist Bank, Advanced Business LLC, Wired2Perform, Supporting Strategies, St. Johns County Government, Pivot CPA, Sapna Foundation, and St. Johns County School District.
In partnering with the link for the Summit, the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce strives to help ensure that entrepreneurs are equipped with the needed components of an entrepreneurial ecosystem to thrive in St. Johns County. The Summit is free and open to the public. Visit the website for more information and to register at www.entercircle.zone.
October 6, 2021
St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce names new Board Members
Jim Bush named Chair, Board of Directors(St. Johns County, Fla.) – Isabelle Renault, President and CEO of St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to announce the new board members for Fiscal Year 2021-2022.
The Board of Directors will be led by Jim Bush, Chairman, Florida Power & Light, who served as Vice-Chairman during the 2020-2021 fiscal year. Joining the executive team on the Board of Directors are Beth Sweeny, Flagler College, Vice Chair; Berta Odom, RE/MAX 100, Treasurer; Orville Dothage, Northrop Grumman, Secretary; Isabelle Renault, St. Johns County Chamber; Mike Koppenhafer, Fisher Koppenhafer Architecture and Interior Design, EDC Chair and Dr. Erika Hamer, Immediate Past Chairman.
Newly elected directors include David Rice, Flagler Health+; James Machado, Ascension St. Vincent’s; Meg Zabijaka, Constangy Brooks, Smith & Prophete LLP; and Chris Heibel, American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier. They join those previously elected, including Carol Spivey, Vista Hospitality; Michael Scine, Scine CPA Advisors; Melissa Morin, Wells Fargo; Melissa Rowe Benes, Puroclean Emergency Restoration Services; Stephen Hudson, Digital Mark Company, LLC; and Chris Pokrivnak, VyStar Credit Union.
Joining the board as newly elected council chairs are: Meghan Holder, Mudflower Media Creative, Chair, Agricultural and Environmental Council; Patti McRoberts, Sebastian Hotel, Chair, St. Augustine Historic Area Council; Donna Lueders, INK!, Chair, North Business Council; Trudy Padilla, Keller Williams, Chair, Small Business Council; William McBroom, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau, Chair, Tourism & Hospitality Council and Julie Fuller, FastSigns, Chair, Women with Vision Council.
Also joining the board this year is Matt Price, Regions Bank as Chair of the Ponte Vedra Beach Division Board. Richard Goldman of St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors & Convention Bureau rejoins the board as a non-voting ex-officio member.
Leaving the board are: Kathy Fleming, St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, Inc.; Darnell Smith, Florida Blue; and Gary Wheeler, Constangy, Brooks, Smith and Prophete, LLP as they ended their three-year term Sept. 30, 2021.
“The St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce is the leading business organization in St. Johns County with 1,100 members from many different industries. Our unified influence allows us to be a strong voice for commerce,” Renault said. “With our new slate of vibrant board leaders, the Chamber delivers continuous value-added service to its members and the community with expertise, talent and knowledge. We consistently work to improve the region’s professional environment and quality of life where existing companies have the opportunity to prosper, and new businesses find it attractive to locate in St. Johns County.”
Each of the elected board members’ terms are three years, and the Chamber’s fiscal year begins on the first day of October and ends on the last day of September. For more information on the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce 2021-2022 Board of Directors, visit: https://www.sjcchamber.com/groups/GroupRoster/2021-2022-st-johns-county-board-of-directors-167
For more information about the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, visit www.sjcchamber.com or call (904) 829-5681.
Oct. 1, 2021
St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce Leadership St. Johns 2021 Class holds project completion, ribbon cutting at SEA Community Help Resource Center, Inc. on Oct. 13
St. Augustine, Fla. – October 1, 2021 - The 23 members of the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership St. Johns (LSJ) Class of 2021 began its class year on April 9 with a goal to select a local nonprofit project beneficiary as part of the program responsibilities. Members of the LSJ class are professionals from all sectors of industry, commerce, and public service in St. Johns County.
This year, the group selected SEA Community Help Resource Center, Inc. (SEA), a 501(c)3 local nonprofit which was formally established in 2013, but began as an outreach ministry with the neighboring First Baptist Church of Armstrong, Fla. in 2005. The charitable organization began meeting in a dirt parking lot to help those in need to enrich their lives from sub-standard housing, homelessness, and hunger in the Spuds, Elkton, and Armstrong communities. SEA is located at 6408 Armstrong Road in Elkton, 13 miles southwest of St. Augustine, Fla.
On Wednesday, October 13 at 4 pm, members of LSJ, the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce , community leaders, and local government officials will celebrate the completion of the LSJ project and donated property improvements at SEA with a formal ribbon cutting at the Elkton property. Classmates contacted local businesses to donate a new 30-by-30-foot concrete pad, picnic tables, signage, landscaping and yardwork, along with a screened area for food distribution to the community. Local donors include FASTSIGNS, Marker 38 Investments, Mudflower Creative Media, and TBL Construction Inc. The Chamber is following the current CDC guidelines regarding gathering in indoor and outdoor spaces for the celebratory event.
As part of LSJ’s activities for this year’s graduating class, participants also conducted a back-to-school backpack and supplies giveaway at SEA for children and families in need of many required items to begin school.
In October 2017, SEA purchased a run-down cement block building at 6312 Armstrong Road to house a potential community center and public rest station along the renowned Palatka-to-St. Augustine State Trail, which stretches along the corridor through St. Johns and Putnam counties. An improved structure and property alongside the bike and pedestrian paved pathway would help the underserved rural community receive additional funds to better their quality of life while providing trail followers a place to rest and refresh. The project is still in progress and needs volunteers and donors to complete the facility.
SEA has been operating in a single-wide trailer alongside the First Baptist Church of Armstrong and holds its food pantry, free to anyone with daily bags of groceries and 150 to 800 hot meals each month. The nonprofit also distributes 150 to 250 turkeys and hams each year during the holidays along with year-round field trips, clothes, shoes, books, toys, book bags, school supplies, computers, and blankets. A summer children’s camp, lunch program and afterschool program are also offered. Services are also provided by North Florida Community Action Agency clients, FEMA, Toys for Tots, and Empty Stocking.
Community activities and events hosted by SEA include: a St. Vincent Mobile Outreach Unit which provides medical services, and visits from the St. Johns County bookmobile, plus biking events with the North Florida Bike Club and Bike Florida, the Annual Rails-to-Trail Festival which includes a celebration of the area’s Gullah Geechee ancestry, the MENDE Film Festival, Gullah Geechee Festival, and tables and chair rentals for third-party events. A humanitarian outreach program to Haiti is also in place.
The LSJ Class initially requested donations from the community to help complete the nonprofit’s improvement project with short- and long-term plans and worked diligently to start renovations at the existing space for safety, comfort and security for recipients, residents, visitors and SEA staff. The LSJ Class envisions more work at the site including additional construction services, more concrete, patio and picnic tables, outdoor fans, lighting, gardening, landscaping, perishable and non-perishable items, and in-kind services.
The members of the Leadership St. Johns Class of 2021 are: Trish Becker, Anastasia Mosquito Control Board; Randy Bradley, Northrop/Grumman; Jason Caban, St. Johns County Sherriff’s Office; Jennifer Michaux, St. Augustine Police Department; Diane Denholm, Supporting Strategies, Northeast Florida; Melissa Derrick, St. Augustine Youth Services; Tres Edenfield III, St. Johns County Sherriff’s Office; Melissa Cecil, Flagler Health+; Whitney Kersey Graves, St. Johns County Tax Collector; Bonnie Hayflick, Bonnie Hayflick PR Counsel; Meghan Holder, Independent Agent, Primerica; Dawn Infanti, United Way; Lauren Howington, Herbie Wiles Insurance; Heidi Jameson, JAXUSA Partnership; Gurpreet Misra, Self Employed Entrepreneur; Vicky Ann Oliveri, St. Johns Title, LLC; Dianne Pittman, Watson Realty; Jennifer Ravan, St. Johns County Tax Collector; Christina Parrish Stone, St. Johns County Cultural Council; Josh Underwood, St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office; Greg Wells, K9s for Warriors; Meredith Breidenstein, City of St. Augustine; and Casey Woolsey, Woolsey/Morcom PLLC.
September 15, 2021
Leading northeast Florida businesswomen named as presenters and honorees to speak at Northeast Florida Chapter of Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS), Sept. 29
- LeAnna Gutierrez Cumber, Diane Hutchings, Michelle Mecca, and Isabelle Renault featured at event, Jeanette F. Berk as moderator -
Jacksonville, Fla. – September 15, 2021 - The Northeast Florida Chapter of Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) recognizes executive women who have made varied contributions in transportation, leadership, and mentorship of women. The local organization’s program committee has selected several leading businesswomen in northeast Florida to be featured at the upcoming Women’s Executive Roundtable luncheon Wednesday, Sept. 29 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse, 4784 Town Center Pkwy. in Jacksonville.
Presenters and honorees include LeAnna Gutierrez Cumber, City of Jacksonville District 5 Councilwoman and CEO of LeAnna Cumber & Associates; Diane Hutchings, Clay County Tax Collector; Michelle Mecca, Senior Vice President at Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.; and Isabelle Renault, CEO of St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce. Lori Boyer, Chief Executive Officer of the City of Jacksonville’s Downtown Investment Authority (DIA), is also an honoree but cannot attend due to a scheduling conflict. Jeanette F. Berk, Senior Planning Manager at Gannett Fleming, Inc. will serve as moderator.
Cost for members and students to attend the event is $25 per person, and cost for non-members is $35 per person. For more information and to register, call (904) 813-3283 or visit the event website here.
Honorees will discuss their professional journeys and offer career advice while focusing on transportation initiatives in their respective locations. They will also share stories about their business successes, challenges, and personal milestones.
Previous presenters have included Neptune Beach Mayor Elaine Brown; Atlantic Beach Mayor Ellen Glasser; Jackie Smith, former District Director/Congressman Rutherford; and St. Augustine Commissioner Nancy Sikes-Kline, to name a few. Visit the website at https://www.wtsinternational.org/chapters/northeast-florida.
In order to fulfill its mission to transform the transportation industry through the advancement of women, WTS Northeast Florida provides access to the highest levels of the transportation industry. Programs and member interaction with relevant, thought-provoking speakers include comprehensive educational forums and discussions which foster professional development and provide valuable exposure to timely transportation issues. The local WTS chapter recently attained recognition with Circle of Excellence Gold Status from the international organization for its service to members and developing the professional community in transportation and related fields.
WTS is an international organization founded in 1977 and includes approximately 8,500 members internationally to raise the profile of the transportation profession and to help women find opportunity and recognition within the industry.
-
June 25, 2021
American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier Group relocates corporate headquarters to St. Johns County, Florida
ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier Group (ARC), a global logistics and shipping services company, recently announced a relocation of its corporate headquarters, bringing about 50 new high-wage jobs to Ponte Vedra Beach in St. Johns County, Florida. The announcement was made by Chris Heibel, senior vice president commercial at ARC, during the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Council Breakfast on June 25, 2021.
“When we suggested Ponte Vedra Beach for the company’s new headquarters, we received overwhelmingly positive feedback from our team,” said Heibel. “We worked closely with St. Johns County government, JAXUSA Partnership and the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce to finalize our decision. As we have started the move to Ponte Vedra Beach, we couldn’t be happier with our decision and with the area, quality of life and local economic development partnerships.”
ARC and its U.S. affiliates own and manage the largest U.S.-flag roll-on roll-off fleet. The fleet carries wheeled cargo, such as cars, trucks, trailers and aircraft, as well as other types of cargo. ARC provides American-owned, managed and crewed roll-on roll-off shipping and intermodal services for the Department of Defense, other U.S. Government departments and agencies, and commercial customers.
The company is relocating from New Jersey and will officially begin operations in the Ponte Verda Beach office on July 1, 2021, at 816 A1A N., Suite 101 in The Veranda Office Park. In the near future, ARC plans to expand in St. Johns County and hire additional local talent.
Local economic development organizations, including St. Johns County government, JAXUSA Partnership and the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, worked together to bring ARC to St. Johns County.
“We proudly welcome ARC to the St. Johns County community,” said Joy Andrews, deputy county administrator for St. Johns County. “Economic development is unequivocally identified by the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners as the highest priority, which was the exact principle our team operated on to collaborate with ARC, JAXUSA Partnership and the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce. From the inception of this collaboration, we made a commitment with no ambiguity that we will be a resource for the ARC team and that no bureaucracy should stand in the way of our goal to bring such a high-caliber business as ARC to the community along with jobs for our local talent, which is, gratefully, what we are celebrating today.”
The project, originally named Project Goldfinch, was brought to the attention of the region by JAXUSA Partnership.
“We work diligently with our partners in the region to match relocating businesses with the ideal community for the business and its employees, and St. Johns County was a perfect fit for ARC,” said Aundra Wallace, president at JAXUSA Partnership.
As part of its ongoing role, the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce is assisting ARC with fulfilling workforce needs, initiating connections with local business and community leaders, and welcoming relocating employees.
“The effort to bring ARC to St. Johns County was truly a collaborative effort between JAXUSA Partnership, St. Johns County government and the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce,” said Isabelle Renault, president and CEO of the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce. “We are thrilled that ARC has found a home for its corporate headquarters and employees in our county and look forward to working together with ARC as the company takes an active role in our chamber and our community.”
For more information about ARC, call 201-307-1626 or visit www.arcshipping.com.
June 16, 2021
Chamber partners with First Coast Technical College and Goodwill to promote Get There Program
New Workforce Education Initiative to raise awareness of career and technical education programs and empower students to Get There Faster with First Coast Technical College
The St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the First Coast Technical College, Goodwill Industries of North Florida, and the Florida Prepaid College Foundation to promote awareness and accessibility of the new Get There, a new workforce education initiative aimed at raising awareness and availability of short-term but high-value career and technical education programs.
St. Johns County’s plan is the first in the state to roll out and assist low-income students to enroll in rapid credentialing programs at First Coast Technical College. Students in grades K-12 will be exposed to career opportunities through year-round workshops held at First Coast Technical College. Upon high-school graduation, participating low-income students will be eligible to apply for the Get There Faster Scholarship, a one-year Florida Prepaid College Foundation Plan. The approximate $3600 plan’s value will cover most, if not all, of the tuition costs for workforce certification programs.
“The Get There initiative provides additional power for our students,” explained Chris Force, principal, First Coast Technical College. “Rapid credentialing programs increase our capacity to enroll and graduate students in short term, in-demand, high wage occupation workforce programs.”
“As an employer, I commend this collaboration. The graduates will allow us to sustain and grow our business,” said Wayne Robison, owner, Rulon International, and host of a May reception to introduce the program. Orv Dothage, Senior Manager, Northrop Grumman, added that the programs at First Coast Technical College graduate many qualified workers for the manufacturing industry in Saint Johns and surrounding counties. “We hire our entry level mechanics from FCTC’s airframe program for our facility at the St. Augustine Airport,” said Dothage.
Both Isabelle Renault, president and CEO, St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, and Leah Lynch, Goodwill, praise Get There for accelerating recovery for our economy. “These rapid credentialing programs will increase capacity at FCTC so students can enroll and graduate on an accelerated basis,” said Renault. “In addition, it is important to mention that these programs align with our targeted industries for St. Johns County.”
“Programs include advanced manufacturing, transportation and logistics, healthcare, public safety and information technology,” added Lynch. “This program validates that Career and Technical Education (CTE) is an engine for economic recovery and prosperity and removes additional barriers to employment.”
The Get There program is partially funded by a Florida Prepaid scholarship program. Additional funding is needed from employers to continue the availability of this program in our community. Every donation to help a student attend First Coast Technical College will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation. For more information on joining the employers who have already donated to this program, contact Arleen Dennison, College Advancement Coordinator, First Coast Technical College, 904-547-3386 or Arleen.Dennison@fctc.edu. To donate directly, visit www.goodwilljax.org.
For additional information about the credentialing programs at First Coast Technical College or the Get There program, visit www.fctc.edu, www.goodwilljax.org or www.GetThereFL.com.
April 26, 2021
Virtual Job Fair set for Thursday, May 20
St. Augustine, Fla. - April 26, 2021 - Find your next opportunity at the Virtual Job Fair May 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hosted by the Career Source Northeast Florida in partnership with the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, the event will feature hundreds of job opportunities with a “virtual room” dedicated specifically to St. Johns County employers.
Job seekers can register today for the free online event at http://bit.ly/virtualjob520. The first hour is reserved for high school seniors and everyone is welcome from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Employers from across Northeast Florida in a variety of fields with open positions at all levels of experience will be participating.
Employers interested in participating in this free efficient recruiting event can register at: http://bit.ly/empvirtual520. The registration site provides tips and guidance for success.
“We are proud to partner with CareerSource Northeast Florida so that job seekers and employers can meet in a safe and effective virtual setting,” said Isabelle Renault, president, St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce. “Upon registering, job seekers will find the option of entering a St. Johns County “Room” to explore opportunities. They will also be able to access virtual booths based on the industry they want to work in.”
To learn more about the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce or to become a member visit www.sjcchamber.com, call 904.829.5681, or find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sjcchamber.
January 26, 2021
Chamber’s Public Policy Committee connects members with policy-makers, guides business advocacy efforts
(St. Augustine, Florida) ---The St. Johns County Chamber's Public Policy Committee for 2020/2021, led by Chair Beth Sweeny, Flagler College, Director of Community and Government Relations, is comprised of: Mark Nighbor, Advanced Disposal; Dirk Schroeder, Century 21; Mike Koppenhafer, Fisher Koppenhafer Architects; Mike Davis, A.D. Davis Construction; Kevin Craig, AT&T; John Dickinson, Constangy Brooks; Janette Wagner, Capital City Bank; Cary Paige, Aqua Grill; Mark Pinto, The Fiorentino Group; Carol Burns, Vista Hospitality; Victor Raymos, St. Augustine and SJC Board of Realtors; Viv Helwig, Vested Metals; Keith Johnson, Keith Johnson, CPA; Ed Dwyer, Vigeo Alliance; Michael Scine, Scine Advisors, CPA, and Isabelle Renault, St. Johns County Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer.
The Public Policy Committee (PPC) oversees the Chamber’s business advocacy efforts at the state, county and municipal levels of government. The PPC monitors, reviews and makes recommendations to the Chamber leadership on legislative and regulatory issues that impact St. Johns County businesses.
The PPC is comprised of senior Chamber leaders, former Chamber and EDC Chairs and representatives from various geographical, industry and professions to insure the intellectual depth of knowledge in the areas of land use, taxation, public safety, tourism and environment. The Chamber chair, along with the Chamber CEO/president, make the final appointments for the upcoming fiscal year.
In recent years, the Chamber has taken public positions on issues as diverse as a panhandling ordinance in St. Augustine; beach replenishment from Vilano to Ponte Vedra Beach; restoration of the affordable Housing Trust Funds at the state level; and a single-use plastic bag ordinance in St. Augustine Beach. Recently, after polling the membership twice, the Chamber came out in public opposition to the proposed Florida Constitutional Amendment #2, which would raise the mandatory minimum wage to $15/hour. The Chamber will continue to canvas the Chamber members for input on significant issues.
The Chamber solicits opinions from Chamber members on legislative issues. For example, the 2021 St. Johns County Legislative Delegation meeting was held Dec. 18 at the St. Johns County Administration Building. The state delegation heard from the Chamber of Commerce on statewide issues of concern. The Chamber’s Public Policy Committee represented the members of the Chamber at this meeting. The regular 2021 Legislative Session will convene on Tuesday, March 2, 2021.
To find out more about the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce or to become a member visit www.sjcchamber.com, call 904.829.5681, or find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sjcchamber
December 4, 2020
St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce awards Volunteer Leaders
Recognizing Business Leaders that Make their Mark(St. Augustine, FL) St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce announces that the 2020 Leadership Awards will be presented virtually. Pre-COVID-19, the Chamber held a signature event in the Fall to recognize and thank the Volunteer Leaders for their donation of time and expertise.
The Chamber began its virtual presentation at the Dec. 4 Virtual Economic Development Breakfast. Mark Nighbor, the Chamber’s 2019-2020 Chairman of the Board, presented the Chamber Member of the Year to Northrop Grumman and First Coast Technical College for their Outstanding Collaboration and Efforts in Workforce Development. He also awarded Joy Andrews, Deputy County Administrator, St. Johns County, with the Chairman’s Award for her Outstanding Leadership and Support of St. Johns County Businesses Through COVID-19. And, Mike Koppenhafer, Chair, Executive Committee, Economic Development Council, 2019-2020, presented the Fred Schroeder Economic Development Council Member of the Year award to Firehouse Subs for Outstanding Corporate Stewardship to St. Johns County, the First Coast, and the Nation Through COVID-19.
The other winners are: Small Business of the Year Award, St. Augustine Distillery; President’s Award: Skip Marsh, Flagler Health +; Public Policy Member of the Year: Michael Scine, Scine CPA Advisors; Chamber Ambassador of the Year/ Gene Morse Award, David Permenter, N2 Publishing; and Ponte Vedra Beach Division Ambassador of the Year/Grace Hayes Award: Kari Zerrahn, Anderson Agency of NE Florida. Also honored for their significant contributions: Past Chairman of the Board, Mark Nighbor and Past Chairman, executive committee, Economic Development Council, Mike Koppenhafer.
The chairman of the board for 2020-2021, Dr. Erika Hamer, commented that the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce is poised to succeed due to the efforts of these awardees. “We have endured a challenging year,” she said. “Our members are resilient and will continue thriving due to the incredible support shown by these volunteer leaders.”
-
American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier Group relocates corporate headquarters to St. Johns County, Florida
ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla., June 25, 2021 – American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier Group (ARC), a global logistics and shipping services company, recently announced a relocation of its corporate headquarters, bringing about 50 new high-wage jobs to Ponte Vedra Beach in St. Johns County, Florida. The announcement was made by Chris Heibel, senior vice president commercial at ARC, during the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Council Breakfast on June 25, 2021.
“When we suggested Ponte Vedra Beach for the company’s new headquarters, we received overwhelmingly positive feedback from our team,” said Heibel. “We worked closely with St. Johns County government, JAXUSA Partnership and the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce to finalize our decision. As we have started the move to Ponte Vedra Beach, we couldn’t be happier with our decision and with the area, quality of life and local economic development partnerships.”
ARC and its U.S. affiliates own and manage the largest U.S.-flag roll-on roll-off fleet. The fleet carries wheeled cargo, such as cars, trucks, trailers and aircraft, as well as other types of cargo. ARC provides American-owned, managed and crewed roll-on roll-off shipping and intermodal services for the Department of Defense, other U.S. Government departments and agencies, and commercial customers.
The company is relocating from New Jersey and will officially begin operations in the Ponte Verda Beach office on July 1, 2021, at 816 A1A N., Suite 101 in The Veranda Office Park. In the near future, ARC plans to expand in St. Johns County and hire additional local talent.
Local economic development organizations, including St. Johns County government, JAXUSA Partnership and the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, worked together to bring ARC to St. Johns County.
“We proudly welcome ARC to the St. Johns County community,” said Joy Andrews, deputy county administrator for St. Johns County. “Economic development is unequivocally identified by the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners as the highest priority, which was the exact principle our team operated on to collaborate with ARC, JAXUSA Partnership and the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce. From the inception of this collaboration, we made a commitment with no ambiguity that we will be a resource for the ARC team and that no bureaucracy should stand in the way of our goal to bring such a high-caliber business as ARC to the community along with jobs for our local talent, which is, gratefully, what we are celebrating today.”
The project, originally named Project Goldfinch, was brought to the attention of the region by JAXUSA Partnership.
“We work diligently with our partners in the region to match relocating businesses with the ideal community for the business and its employees, and St. Johns County was a perfect fit for ARC,” said Aundra Wallace, president at JAXUSA Partnership.
As part of its ongoing role, the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce is assisting ARC with fulfilling workforce needs, initiating connections with local business and community leaders, and welcoming relocating employees.
“The effort to bring ARC to St. Johns County was truly a collaborative effort between JAXUSA Partnership, St. Johns County government and the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce,” said Isabelle Renault, president and CEO of the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce. “We are thrilled that ARC has found a home for its corporate headquarters and employees in our county and look forward to working together with ARC as the company takes an active role in our chamber and our community.”
For more information about ARC, call 201-307-1626 or visit www.arcshipping.com.