Past Meeting 7-13-10

Past Meetings

Meeting you may have missed.

July 13, 2010

Special Guest

Introducing My Boss, he is a hoot!

"Tony Vecchio"

Tony Vecchio

Executive Director
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

TONY VECCHIO LOVES NAKED MOLE RATS AND GORILLA BUSTS! The new Executive Director of the Jacksonville Zoo celebrated his first year as director July 11,2010 and NSBL membership and guests were treated to an impressive presentation. Tony, on the first day of his second year addressed a nearly full house. Tony as he preferred being called gave a brief overview of his climb up the ladder to the great city of Jacksonville.

It didn’t take long to realize he is a “people person” as he walked freely around the room while talking. While his education is not Zoo related as he pointed out was the case in the “old days”, his stated that his passion was centered on education and experience. Tony talked about his children and the fact that most children and adults have little or no knowledge about nature and animals. His work is evident in the new exhibits that are geared to children getting up close to animals. Not only having an adventure that is family related, his future for the Jacksonville Zoo is for it to be an experience that makes a difference. Well done Tony! As following note, he uses the story of his real life experiences with naked mole rats and Gorilla busts in his talks at schools. He even has a Gorilla Bust in his office, this writer is very pleased that a naked mole rat was nowhere to be seen!

Ray & Tony

Ray & Tony

Ray Turner, "Corey-Kerlin"

"Feeding Dreams"

By General Mills

Pepper Peete
Jacksonville Community Champion

Brenda Titus

Brenda Titus
General Mills
Segmented Marketing Services, Inc.

Pepper Peete has been selected General Mills 2010 Jacksonville Community Champion. It's a program that recognizes individuals who have contributed to the success of their community and Pepper has definitely done that out at The First Tee of Jacksonville.

The next phase of the process is that she will be competing against 9 other city champions for a $10,000 award for her charity. An on-line voting process will begin
August 1 - October 31 at www.feedingdreams.com where citizens can vote for Pepper. Part of my role is to help get the word out and help Pepper win.

Our campaign will kick-off on July 29th with a breakfast honoring Pepper. It will be at The Ritz Theatre and Museum, 9:00am -10:15am.

Thanking the Northside Business Leaders in advance for you support of Pepper Pete!

Brenda Titus
Segmented Marketing Services, Inc.

Jacksonville - Lead Ambassador
(904) 923-2718

New Members

Dena Wilkin

Clarion Hotel Airport

Daniel Neal

Instant Tax Service

Dean Black

Running for United States Congress

District 3

Dean Black visited the Northside Business Leaders July 13th meeting. Dean is running against incumbent Corrine Brown for Congressional seat District 3. For more information, deanblack2010.com

Eric Smith

Running for Duval County School Board

Another candidate Eric Smith, long time Northside Business Leaders member was at the meeting. He is running for District 6 Duval County School Board. For more information contact Eric at 596-5707.

The Northside Business Leaders always welcomes candidates running for offices to stop by our members meetings.

Past Meetings