Special Thanks to Retiring FCMA Leaders

FCMA Tri-Chairmen

FCMA is fortunate to have excellent leadership that is consistently high quality and dedicated on an annual basis. The strength of any organization rests with those privileged to serve as officers and leaders. It is an honor for all of us to work with such exemplary leaders in their companies and in FCMA.

We wish to pay special tribute to those Board members and committee chairs who completed their service this year.

Board of Directors:

  • CSX Transportation - This founding member continues to give unselfishly to FCMA. It completes its most recent six year term on the Board of Directors, four of which included service on the Executive Committee. This Fortune 500 company headquartered in Jacksonville is widely regarded as one of the most innovative and progressive transportation companies in the nation.
  • Milton J. Wood Fire Protection - This home-grown company has become heavily involved in many of the activities of FCMA. Mark Wood has served as Board member and Membership Chairman. Annmarie Nemeth served as treasurer and chairman of our Finance Committee, and is largely responsible for our strong financial position. Headquartered in Jacksonville, the company continues to expand its operations as General Contractor, as well as its ancillary services, including fire protection.
  • Renessenz LLC - This founding member celebrated its 101st anniversary in October. It has helped shape in a very positive way the community surrounding its northside facility. It is regarded as one of the foremost manufacturers of flavors and fragrances in the world and is also recognized for its outstanding record in protecting our environment. This year marks the completion of its most recent service on the Board. In addition, FCMA is fortunate that Mike Templeton served an extra year as Tri-Chairman, and brought his considerable skill during this year of transition.
  • Vistakon - This Johnson & Johnson company continues to dominate the global market in contact lenses. Long recognized for its commitment to research and development and to the development of its people, Vistakon is an outstanding corporate citizen that continues to contribute to the betterment of FCMA and our community. Its Board representatives have been outstanding managers within Vistakon and truly represent the high values of the company.
  • Miller Electric Company - Headquartered in Jacksonville, this 80-year-old company continues to expand its services to manufacturers and other industrial sectors. Long regarded as one of our community’s strongest supporters of a wide variety of activities that has enhanced the quality of life on the First Coast. Ron Autrey adds FCMA Board participation to his extensive list of community leadership positions. In addition, this company has been a cornerstone of the Maintenance and Reliability SIG.

Committee Chairpersons:

  • Community Relations: Joe Durkin, Aerotek - Joe provided extraordinary creative leadership to his committee. His enthusiasm and commitment elevated both the Excellence in Manufacturing and the Crane Awards to unprecedented heights. We wish Joe well in his new career in Orlando.
  • Membership: Keith Zipper, Energy Reduction Solutions - FCMA has been privileged to have extraordinary individuals lead its membership committee. But none has surpassed the energy, commitment, and efforts that Keith brought to this task. His leadership during difficult economic times ensured that FCMA’s membership levels remained at its historically high level. His integrity and hardwork will be rewarded as he pursues the development of his company.
  • Membership: Sharon Alexander, Brown & Brown Insurance - Part of Keith’s Membership team, Sharon’s enthusiasm, dedication, and tenacity that has made her successful in the highly competitive insurance business carried over into the success of the Membership Committee. We continue to wish her well as she builds her reputation in her industry.
  • Public Relations: Jane Bachtell, Clements Publishing - Jane can be regarded as the mother of FCMA’s public relations campaign. Her unflagged enthusiasm and commitment to expanding the knowledge of FCMA to the North Florida community has been unmatched in the over 20 years of our existence. Her most recent accomplishment is the launching of our website and the beginning of a multi-year rebranding and outreach program.
  • Workforce Development: Jorge Santiago, Weather Engineers - Jorge’s enthusiasm and breadth of activities stimulated the Workforce Development Committee to continue to expand its relationships with education institutions. He is a strong proponent of educational exellence and the need for public education to recognize to value of a wide variety of career opportunities in manufacturing and related industries.

Each of these individuals and the companies they represent serve as a continuing example of the dedication and commitment necessary to maintain the strong presence of FCMA both in the First Coast and the State of Florida. We are proud to be associated with these outstanding leaders. The Board of Directors joins in expressing its heartfelt appreciation for the service of each of these individuals and the commitment of their companies.

Welcome to…

DeVry University
Contact: Abel Okagbare, Metro Director
Phone: (904) 367-4954
5200 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256

…one of the largest degree-granting higher education systems in North America, providing high-quality, career-oriented associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.

Sponsor: FCMA

The Hartley Press
Contact: Michael Hartley, President
Phone: (904) 398-5141
4250 St. Augustine Road, Jacksonville, FL 32207

…provides an unmatched range of in-house printing services. It’s this breadth of capabilities, combined with exceptional quality control, affordable prices and customer service excellence that make the difference.

Sponsor: FCMA

McGladrey
Contact: Mary Goldsmith, Business Development Director
Phone: (904) 224-8113
4887 Belfort Road, Suite 250, Jacksonville, FL 32256

…an accounting firm that provides global capabilities with the local touch that brings world class assurance, tax and consulting expertise to clients through enduring relationships built on genuine understanding and trust.

Sponsor: FCMA

Nexant
Contact: Jon Rogers, HVAC Outreach Representative
Phone: (904) 527-3676
6620 Southpoint Dr. S., Suite 630, Jacksonville, FL 32216

…a provider of intelligent grid software and clean energy solutions pioneering, developing, and advancing electric power grid and alternative energy technologies and services.

Sponsor: Peter King, JEA

2011 Holiday Social

FCMA’s annual Holiday Social will be held on Tuesday, December 6 from 6:00-8:00PM at The St. Joe Building, located at 245 Riverside Avenue.

A special thank you to the following companies for their help and donation to the Holiday Social:
Anheuser-Busch InBev, Inc.
Bacardi Bottling Corporation
Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Jacksonville
DSI Security Services
Lewis Longman & Walker, P.A.

Excellence in Manufacturing Awards

FCMA’s annual outstanding company awards luncheon will be held on Tuesday, February 21, 2012, from 11:30AM-1:30PM at the UNF University Center, located 12000 Alumni Drive.

Sponsorship Opportunities - FCMA is looking for sponsors for this event. Click here for more information about sponsorships.

January 30 at FSCJ


Join us from 4:00-6:00 PM at Florida State College at Jacksonville, located at 401 W. State Street in Jacksonville. FSCJ provides the community with professional, technical, transfer, and lifelong educational opportunities.


A special thanks to Saft for hosting our November 14 meeting. Saft is an international manufacturer of industrial batteries. Attendees got to see Saft’s impressive state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Cecil Commerce Center. Operations began this summer and they were anxious to show off. We had a great crowd at our last meeting of the year - over 200 people!


Thanks to Remedy Intelligent Staffing for providing refreshments.

Lad Daniels ‘Thanksgiving’ retirement roast

Secretary of DEP Herschel Vinyard was the master of ceremonies for Lad’s retirement celebration. FCMA Tri-Chairmen presented Lad Daniels with a lifetime membership to FCMA. That is just our way of keeping him close to home. Click here to read an article about the event. Thank you to our event sponsors: Gerdau, Maxwell House, Milton J. Wood Company, Rayonier, Renessenz, RockTenn, Swisher, and Vac-Con.

Frank H. Peterson Academies of Technology

This high school offers vocational classes in six areas: Aviation, Automotive, Communications, Early Childhood, Culinary, and Cosmetology. Soon the school will be adding an Advanced Manufacturing program as well.

After touring the campus, FCMA participated in the school’s career expo. Thank you to BAE Systems/Safariland, BAE Systems Southeast Shipyards, Kaman Aerospace, and Saft for participating in the expo. These manufacturers had the opportunity to talk to multiple high school students about the importance of manufacturing to the community.

Council Staff Luncheon

FCMA hosted the Jacksonville City Council staff at a luncheon on November 15. Many of the council members were able to stop by and visit. Special thank you to our sponsors… Debbie Lofberg with Jacksonville Port Authority, Tammy Wainright with Main Metal Recycling, and Blair Wygle with North Point Promotions.

Customer Service Workshop

Charna Devoe with JEA (pictured below) gave a great presentation on providing better customer service. Whether it’s an unstable economic environment or business as usual, the most effective and economical way to keep and cultivate customers is to lavish them with outstanding customer service.


Senator Audrey Gibson was our special guest at our monthly meeting held at Ronco’s downtown offices. She shared experiences so far as one of the newest members of the Florida Senate as well as challenges for the coming session which begins in January. Special thanks to Damon Hosmer and Brad Gesek of Aerotek for providing lunch!

Wage & Benefit Survey

FCMA’s 2011 Wage & Benefit Survey is available now. Get your copy by contacting Sherri Mitchell. This survey is available only to FCMA members for $75. Participating members receive a complimentary copy.

A Special Thank You to Our Sponsors

Akerman, Alexander DeGance Barnett P.A., Ford & Harrison LLP,
Fowler White Boggs, Holland & Knight, McGuireWoods, Rogers Towers,
Smith Gambrell & Russell LLP


Auld & White Constructors… won the 2011 ABC Excellence in Construction Eagle and Safety Awards. And completed construction work on Darnell-Cookman Middle School in eight weeks, just in time for the school year.

AMEC E&I, Inc… hired Daniel Eisman as project engineer.

Fifth Third Bank… hired Sarah Dalrymple as a mortgage loan officer.

Heritage Capital Group… has appointed three new principals: Matt Laffey, Tom Kohn, and Mac Holley.

Main Metal Recycling… won OSHA’s prestigious SHARP award. Click here for more information.

Rayonier… was featured in an article in the Jacksonville Business Journal about it performance fibers division.

Solantic… was featured in an article in the Jacksonville Daily Record and an article in the Jacksonville Business Journal about their new corporate office in Tennessee.

TD Bank… hired Shannon Gonzales as assistant vice president and San Jose store manager.

Jacksonville Business Journal lists… Congratulations to our members recognized in recent JBJ lists…

  • Top HVAC Contractors
    • (1) W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractor; (2) Sauer Group, Inc.; (5) Weather Engineer Inc.
  • Top Electrical Contractors
    • (1) Miller Electric Company
  • Top Defense Contractors
    • (1) Sauer Inc.; (2) The Haskell Company; (7) BAE Systems Southeast Shipyards; (8) Earl Industries; (17) Aerostar Environmental Services; (25) Unison Idustries

Rapid Prototyping Comes to Jacksonville


New FCMA member Polyhistor International celebrated their open house in November. Attendees were able to see a their 3-dimensional printing technique. The system is the first of its kind in North Florida and will enable any company to create a tangible, accurate prototype.

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