Jetsetter 04R7:JETSETTER 04 7/31/08 11:47 AM Page 1 · 2008-08-05 · Jacksonville Jetsetter Summer 2008 I 5 4 I Jacksonville Jetsetter Summer 2008 We have a fleet of 362 aircraft,

Inside This

IssueGOJAGSNationalTransportationWeek 2008

AUGUST 2008 I VOLUME 2, ISSUE 3

The Official Information and Visitor’s Guide for the Jacksonville Aviation AuthorityJacksonville International Airport • Craig Airport • Herlong Airport • Cecil Field

Photo: Harry Scull, Jr./Jacksonville Jaguars

Jetsetter_04R7:JETSETTER_04 7/31/08 11:47 AM Page 1

FROM THEPUBLISHERJacksonville Jetsetter, The Official Information andVisitor’s Guide for the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, serves Jacksonville International Airport, Craig Airport, Cecil Field, Herlong Airportand Jacksonville’s Metropolitan Area. The JacksonvilleJetsetter will take you inside the Jacksonville AviationAuthority in an effort to keep you informed of the manyissues surrounding your airport system, and the services provided. Each issue will spotlight private airline componies,concessionaires, businesses operating in our airports, and private companies that are part of the tapestry of the aviation industry. These companies provide revenue that funds the day-to-day operations so that public tax dollars are not required. The Aviation Authority and its Partners maintain runways, hangars, terminal buildings, air cargo, airport grounds and road connections to the public highway system. The companies spotlighted also contribute to the overall economyof Jacksonville by creating jobs and investing in our community.

Unfasten your seat belt, let your hair down, place your seat in the reclining position and enjoy Jacksonville Jetsetter.

EDITORIALI would like to take this opportunity to thank RS&H, eLYK Innovations, The Robin Shepherd Group, Taxi Terry and First Coast Aerospace for supporting Jacksonville Jetsetter. In these tougheconomic times it’s difficult to get support for a new project. Over the past year, three fantastic issues of Jacksonville Jetsetter have brought the most current information about what JAA (Jacksonville Aviation Authority) has done, is doing and plans to do to make Jacksonville International Airport, Cecil Field, Herlong Airport, and Craig Airport convenient, safe and accessible for the people of Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia.

Wait until you see the new terminal at JIA, it’s awesome! This project shows the vision of the administration, the Board of Directors, and several partners of the Jacksonville Aviation Authority.There are many more projects projected to be completed in the near future. I’ll be sure to keepyou posted!

Hope you enjoy this issue Jacksonville Jetsetter! I'll see you in a few month s!

These are my opinions, I welcome yours!Sincerely,

Eric Demps, Publisher Jacksonville Jetsetter

ContentsJACKSONVILLE JETSETTER SUMMER2008

Produced by: Demps & Associates, Inc.1650 Art Museum drive suite 11Jacksonville, FL 32207Office: 904-398-6266 Fax: 904-348-0957

Certified DBE in Florida, under a UCP in accordance with 49 CFR, Part 26. Certified SBE in accordance with Jacksonville Aviation Authority's Standard PracticesNAICS CODE: 541810,541840,541613, & 323110

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This publication and its contents, including without limitation, copyrighted materials, trademarks, logos, service marks, trade dress, slogans, andother brand features are fully protected by applicable federal and state laws and may not be reproduced, in- whole or in part, without the writtenconsent of the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, or if different, the owner thereof. Any information, opinions and views are not, and are not intendedto be, representative of the views of any person or entity other than the creator or author of such information, opinion or view. Neither advertisersnor the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, or its employees, agents or contractors, will be held responsible for errors or omissions found in the publication and any users of the publication acknowledges that such user must evaluate, and bear all risks associated with the use of the contents of the publication, including all risk related to the accuracy or completeness of such content.

FEATURED STORIES

Page 1 From the PublisherPage 2JIA Signs Global Commitment on Climate ChangePage 3First Coast AerospacePage 4 – 5U S Airways Cargo “committed to be industry’s premier transportation partner”Page 6Carnival Cruise Lines return to JacksonvillePage 7National Transportation Week 2008Page 8Craig Air Center’s Non-Stop Flights to the AbacosPage 9Art + Architecture = A Vibrant & Successful PublicSpace at JIAPage 10 – 13Jaguars Looking to Build on 2007Page 14Blue Foundation Embraces Healthy Florida Initiative Page 15 “Pinks on the Links” Supports Breast Cancer ResearchPage 16RS&H Creates A Great First ImpressionPage 18 – 19Getting Around JIAPage 20Jack and Linda Del Rio to help improve the lives of children in Northeast FloridaPage 21Are You DTV Ready?Page 22 – 23“Shop Til You Drop”, Then Shop Some More!Page 24Taste of the Caribbean Page 25Sheraton’s new Jacksonville Hotel will House Shula’s 347 GrillPage 26-27Enhancing Opportunities for DBEs and Prime ConsultantsPage 28 JAA Presents An Opportunity To Build Business Relationships.Page 29 AirJTA - Increased Frequency, Lower Cost, and New Weekend ServicePage 30Fly, Drive & Ride for MS ResearchPage 31New Microtel Inn & Suites at Jacksonville’s AirportPage 32Aviation Summer CampPage 33The Legend Continues in 2010Page 34Robin Shepherd Group Wins the GoldPage 35First Coast Honor AirPage 36New AMAC Chair


2 I Jacksonville Jetsetter Summer 2008

JacksonvilleInternational AirportSigns up to Global Commitment

on Climate Change

Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) announcedthat it has joined the global aviation industry in a Declaration on Climate Change that was signed byindustry leaders at the Aviation & Environment Summit in Geneva, Switzerland.

More than 200 of the world’s airports have also signed up to the Declaration.

Although aviation only accounts for two percent of global carbon dioxide emissions, the declaration was designed to demonstrate and strengthen the industry’s commitment to introducing technological, operational and efficiencyadvances to reduce its impact.

“In signing up to the declaration, JAX has reaffirmed its commitment to the environment,” said Michael Stewart, spokesman for the Jacksonville AviationAuthority. “We will work with all players across the industry to target carbon-neutral growth as a step towards a carbon-free future for aviation.”

Robert J Aaronson, Director General of the global trade association of airportexecutives, Airports Council International, says: “Airports around the world arealready implementing energy efficient operations; this Declaration furtherdemonstrates aviation’s coordinated efforts in tackling environmental challenges. All sectors of society, business, governments and individuals have a role to play in addressing climate change. This Declaration confirms aviation’sintention to grow and contribute to economies, in a sustainable way.”

Building its reputation on its philosophy of “Quality and Integrity”, First Coast Aerospace is a leader in transport category aircraft maintenance.

Our management team has over 100 years of experience with military and commercial aviation modifications anddepot maintenance. Our expertise in program managementand planning allows us to understand each customer’s operating requirements and tailor our services to their particular needs.

First Coast Aerospace, Inc. is the “next generation” in aircraft maintenance by introducing technology to providereal-time information, reducing aircraft down time, and reducing costs. Strategically located on the Eastern Corridorat the Jacksonville International Airport in Jacksonville, Florida,First Coast Aerospace is poised to serve the commercial andmilitary’s aviation maintenance requirements. In order to provide the best and most efficient services possible for ourcustomers, we can provide field teams at a moment’s notice

for any aircraft services required, any place, any time. FirstCoast Aerospace is not just selling maintenance or services;we are creating and maintaining relationships.

Since the end of the Frontier this past April, First Coast Aerospace has been actively pursuing work in the Departmentof Defense arena, and is in the process of capturing militarywork to support our Nation’s military aircraft. Alongside themilitary market, FCA is also pursuing contracts for the installation of In-Flight Entertainment (IFE).

First Coast Aerospace is also performing work for Flight Options, NetJets, FlexJet and Citation Shares as well as maintaining General Aviation aircraft that find themselves in need of maintenance at Jacksonville International Airport.

Although the company’s “Core” business is large transportcategory aircraft (Airlines) as well as corporate and FractionalJets, First Coast Aerospace would like to diversify its operationand develop a major presence at JIA in the realm of GA maintenance.

For any questions or for Maintenance Support, please call904-741-0588, or contact Merrill Woods, President & CEO at 704-408-1571, or Tripp Carter, VP/GM, at 803-322-3437.

Jacksonville Jetsetter Spring 2008 I 3


Jacksonville Jetsetter Summer 2008 I 54 I Jacksonville Jetsetter Summer 2008

We have a fleet of 362 aircraft, servicing 230 destinations in as many as 32 countries and / or territories. From our four hubs, CLT, PHL, PHX andLAS, we provide cargo service to 86 domestic cities as well as cities throughout Canada, the Caribbean,Europe, Mexico and Latin America. Maintaining oneof the strongest Airline Alliances in the industry, ourpartnership program, Global Connections™, allowsUS to reach destinations on several continents, manyof which are sure to be represented at the annualWorld of Nations Celebration. From the Jacksonville,Florida station we have 14 daily non-stop flights toWashington Ronald Reagan, Charlotte and Philadelphia,with connections that offer the Jacksonville cargocommunity the ability to tender cargo for same-dayflights and destinations around the world; even to theJacksonville sister- city of Nantes, France.

US Airways Cargo is committed to offering reliablearound-the-clock service, and was recently recognizedby Air Cargo Magazine as Airline of the Year 2007.Services such as our stateside 24/7 Cargo CustomerContact Center allows our shippers to obtain schedulinginformation and the ability to book or track a shipmentday or night. Future cargo shipments can also be handled via pre-booking email requests. In addition,USAirways.com is user-friendly and offers informationon aircraft charts, flight schedules, claim forms and facility hours and locations, as well as descriptions ofour cargo-related products and service. We are alsoproud of our On-Time-Performance record. DuringDecember 2007, the busiest travel season, we ranked#1 in On-Time-Performance, and we have remainedamong the top three performers in 2008.

The US Airways cargo product line was designed with our shipping partners in mind. Our goal is tomirror the service levels of our customers in the logistics industry. For time sensitive shipments, weoffer a Premier Pak (domestic only) for our couriercommunity, Premier Service (international and

domestic) for larger shipments looking for a 100%guarantee, Priority Service (international and domestic) for flight specific product, and a domestic-only Second Day. Our deferred product line includesGeneral Cargo (tendering 7 days a week internationaland domestic) and General Weekend (domestic only)for shipments that are sometimes held for consolidationand are not time sensitive. Both deferred productswere designed with the price conscious shippers inmind. US Airways Cargo has a unique approach to international cargo. In the past, US Airways Cargoserved 20 destinations in Europe and contracted with 10 unique handlers. In an effort to reduce complicated contracts and better manage operatingcosts, we ventured toward a new concept of outsourcingand managing our handling needs. A recent landmarkdeal was made between US Airways and GSSA Air Logistics to handle all of the UK and Ireland, while Aviapartner will manage the rest of Europe. Ourreach stretches even further with our internationalcargo product, Global Connection™, that offersworldwide service beyond our European gateways.This product was a general service level in the past,but was recently redefined as Priority service level,helping to expedite departures from the US.

US Airways Cargo offers additional special commodityservices which include the United States Postal Service(USPS), perishables and our TLC (human remains) program. With Jacksonville as Florida’s largest city,and the economy being supported through financialservices, consumer goods, biomedical products andother manufacturing goods, US Airways is a perfectpartner to keep your product on the move.

We are proud of our continued commitment to excellent cargo service and customer satisfaction. It is with the help and support of airport and cargocommunities that we will continue to be a leader inthe cargo industry.

“US Airways Cargo is committed to be the industry’s premier transportation partner by exceeding customer expectations. It is our unparalleled dedication to trainingand teamwork that allows US Airways to provide competitivepricing, superior operational performance, innovative technology and outstanding customer service.”

That is our mission statement. But who are we really?


Jacksonville Jetsetter Summer 2008 I 7

For the second year in a row, Jacksonville

Transportation Authority (JTA) representatives

joined COMTO (Conference of Minority

Transportation Officials), Reynolds, Smith and Hills,

and our Northeast Florida Transportation agency

partners, the Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA),

Jacksonville Port Authority (Jaxport) and First Coast

Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), in

recognizing National Transportation Week, May 11-17.

Fifth graders from more than 100 local public and

private schools were invited to participate in a poster

contest and the opportunity to win local and national

prizes. All student artwork centered on the theme,

“One Nation On The Move." Entries were judged by

a COMTO committee.

Four poster contest winners were selected and honored on Monday,

May 12 at Jaxport, where the winners, their families and teachers had

the chance to meet transportation agency leaders and enjoy a brief tour

of the Jaxport facility. The four 5th grade students are Corey Palmer,

Michael San Juan and Max May from Palmer Catholic Academy, and

Anthony Golden from St. Pius V Catholic School. Poster cards of the

winning entries will be on display throughout the summer at Jacksonville

International Airport, Jaxport and

First Coast MPO offices, as well as

on the interior of JTA buses.


MIAMI (August 14, 2007) – Carnival Cruise Lines and the Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) today announced a significant increase in capacity forJacksonville’s cruise operations when the 2,052-passenger Carnival Fascinationreplaces the 1,486-passenger Celebration on four- and five-day cruises year-round from Jacksonville beginning Sept. 20, 2008.

Carnival is the only cruise operator to sail year-round from Jacksonville and the Carnival Fascination represents a 38 percent increase in capacity over theCelebration. With the deployment of the Carnival Fascination – the newest andlargest ship ever home ported in Jacksonville on a year-round basis – Carnival isexpected to carry 170,000 guests annually from JAXPORT.

“Jacksonville has proven to be a very successful home port based on the convenient and affordable cruise options that it offers to consumers from acrossthe Southeastern U.S.,” said Vicki Freed, Carnival’s senior vice president of salesand marketing. “These voyages are especially attractive to first-time cruisers,providing them with an opportunity to experience Carnival’s unique vacation environment and wide-ranging product upgrades – all at an outstanding value,”she added.

“We at JAXPORT are thrilled to be able to serve an even greater number ofguests and allow them to enjoy the kind of quality customer care we have alwaysoffered,” said Tony Orsini, jetport senior director of cruise operations. “We alsothank Carnival for this clear sign of its commitment to the future of Jacksonvilleas a cruise home port.”

In conjunction with the redeployment of the Carnival Fascination to Jacksonville,the ship will offer a new five-day itinerary departing Saturdays and featuring daylong calls to award-winning Half Moon Cay, a private Bahamian island, andNassau, The Bahamas. The five-day cruises departing Mondays will visit KeyWest and Nassau and the four-day weekend voyages departing Thursdays willcall at Freeport and Nassau.

Carnival Fascination currently operates three- and four-day cruises from Miamiand will continue that program through Sept. 15, 2008. The Celebration will remain in Jacksonville through its departure date of April 14, 2008. Future deployment plans for that vessel will be announced at a later date.

“Our Jacksonville-based cruises generate some of the highest guest satisfactionratings in our fleet and we believe that this will only be enhanced when the Carnival Fascination starts service next fall,” Freed said.

‘Evolutions of Fun’ UpgradesThe 70,000-ton Carnival Fascination underwent a multi-million-dollar renovationlast year, the first phase in the line’s extensive “Evolutions of Fun” shipboard enhancement initiative for its eight “Fantasy-class” vessels. The refurbishmentincluded a new nine-hole miniature golf course, a patisserie, an atrium lobby bar,conference center, and expansive new facilities for children and teens, part ofthe line’s top-rated “Camp Carnival” and “Club O2” programs, respectively.

In addition to a completely renovated spa, all 1,026 staterooms aboard the Carnival Fascination were upgraded with flat screen TVs, an entirely new décorand completely remodeled bathrooms. Two new lavish production shows, Fiesta Latina and Far From Over: the 80s, were added, as well.

Future “Evolutions of Fun” upgrades for the Carnival Fascination – scheduled tobe completed in 2009 -- include an expansive Carnival WaterWorks aqua park, anew design style and features for the mid-ship pool area, and a new “Serenity”adults-only deck area, all part of a dramatic transformation of the ship’s opendecks.

Pricing and ReservationsReservations will be accepted for the Carnival Fascination’s new four- and five-day schedule from Jacksonville beginning August 22, 2007. Prices for thefour-day cruises begin at $269 and five-day cruises start at $289, based on double occupancy.

Special rates for third and fourth guests sailing in the same stateroom andround-trip air supplements from dozens of North American gateways are alsoavailable. Carnival Fascination cruises can also be combined with a pre- or post-cruise land stay in Jacksonville.

For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.

CARNIVAL, JAXPORT ANNOUNCE SIGNIFICANT EXPANSION OF CRUISE OPERATIONS FROM JACKSONVILLECarnival Fascination to Replace Celebration on Year-Round Four- and Five-Day Cruises Beginning in September 2008; Represents 38 Percent Capacity Increase



Art + Architecture = A Vibrant &Successful Public Space at JIA

For a vast structure whose main purpose is mass transportation, the new concourses at Jacksonville International Airport will have a surprisingly fun, fresh and accessible feel. Art will make a significant contribution to the architecture of the new concourses with permanent installations that will enhance the entrances of each restroom.The artists selected for this project are: Matthew Bezark,Julia Morrisroe, Gregor Turk and Greenwood+Healy.

Massive arched windows at the end of each concourse willwow travelers with a larger than life piece rivaling the size ofthe jets outside on the runway created by famed artist GordonHuether.

The goal of the Jacksonville International Airport Art Commis-sion is to humanize the airport environment and to enhanceand enrich the experience of the traveling public at Jack-sonville International Airport. JIAAC is also responsible for or-ganizing and presenting rotating exhibitions that are located inthe Haskell Gallery providing visitors access to a wide variety ofart forms including fine arts, design, and photography by artistsfrom Jacksonville and around the world.

Concourse A opened to the public in May 2008 and ConcourseC opens in November 2008. Visitors will be able to see art atevery turn, making spaces that are usually unnoticeable cometo life.

For more information about the art program visitwww.JIAarts.org

Gotta GoGordon Huether of Napa, California, was chosen to address thelarge arched windows located at the end of each concourse.

Huether will create an illusion of a male traveler on one end ofthe concourse and a female traveler on the other, both walkingacross the tarmac. The travelers are monumental, vibrant andanimated, standing over 35 feet tall and they “Gotta Go”.

Each larger than life traveler will be carrying a travel bag thathas a map of the immediate Jacksonville area on the bag. This area has an intense color zone of dichroic coating. Thedichroic coating fluctuates in color from red to blue to yellow,depending on the time of day and angle of viewing, makingthe Jacksonville map “passively kinetic”.

Gotta Go will be installed fall of 2008, prior to the opening ofConcourse C. For more information on Gordon Huether pleasevisit www.gordonhuether.com.

On Friday, July 11, Craig Air Center, a charter service and fixed base operator for Craig Airport,

began scheduled non-stop flights to Marsh Harbour in the Abacos island chain of the Bahamas.

The company's 19-passenger Beechcraft B1900 departs from Jacksonville International Airport

on Fridays and Sundays at 8:30 a.m., arriving in the Bahamas about 90 minutes later.

The plane leaves Marsh Harbor

at 2:30 p.m. and returns to

Jacksonville at 4:00 p.m.

those same days.

Tickets are sold online atwww.craigaircenter.com.

Craig Air Center AnnouncesNew Non-Stop Flights to the Abacos




The Jacksonville Jaguars are looking to build on last year’s 11-5 finish and first playoff win since the 1999 season. TheJaguars concluded the regular season with wins in six of their last eight games and advanced to the postseason for the second time in the last three seasons.

The Jaguars have a 40-24 mark in the last four seasons underhead coach Jack Del Rio, the sixth-best mark in the NFL. The2007 squad defeated Pittsburgh at Heinz Field in the AFC WildCard Game before ending the season at undefeated New England in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game.

The Jaguars finished up their 2008 off season work on June 20and will reconvene at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on July 25for the start of training camp.

“I feel like we had a real successful off season,” Del Rio said. “I feel like we added some real talent to the roster and joinedwhat we feel were returning a very solid nucleus. So we’re excited about the prospects going forward. I think we all recognize the tremendous challenge in front of us. We have big, strong ambitions about what we’d like to accomplish thisyear and we know it’s going to be a tremendous challenge.”

The focus of the 2008 off season was on the defensive side of the ball after former defensive coordinator Mike Smith left to become head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. Del Rio hired formerNFL head coach Gregg Williams to lead the defense and DonnieHenderson and Thom Kaumeyer were added to tutor the secondary. Ted Monachino was promoted to defensive line coach and Tom Williams was promoted to defensive assistant.

At the start of free agency, the Jaguars moved quickly adding receiver Jerry Porter from Oakland, cornerback Drayton Florencefrom San Diego and quarterback Cleo Lemon from Miami. Defensive tackle Marcus Stroud was dealt to Buffalo for third and fifth round picks. The Jaguars selected two defensive endsin the first two rounds of the draft in former Florida standoutDerrick Harvey and Auburn’s Quentin Groves.

Harvey, 6-5, 271, was the first defensive end chosen by theJaguars in the first round in franchise history. Harvey finishedwith 20.5 quarterback sacks in three seasons at Florida and wasthe Defensive Most Valuable Player of the 2007 BCS NationalChampionship Game against Ohio State.

“(Derrick) Harvey is a very relentless, a hard-charging defensiveend, ” Del Rio said. “We think he’ll grow into an even biggerguy. He’s about 270 (pounds) right now. He has the ability togrow into 280-285. He plays with great temperament, greatchase, a hungry football player, all-the-time chase guy.”

Groves, 6-3, 259), played in 49 games with 23 starts in four seasons at Auburn and totaled 26 sacks and 37 tackles for loss.The Jaguars added USC linebacker Thomas Williams and SouthFlorida defensive back Trae Williams in the fifth round and USCrunning back Chauncey Washington in the seventh round.

JAGUARSLOOKING TO

BUILD ON

2007PLAYOFF RUN

Photos by: Harry Scull, Jr./Jacksonville Jaguars

10 I Jacksonville Jetsetter Spring 2008


12 I Jacksonville Jetsetter Summer 2008 Jacksonville Jetsetter Summer 2008 I 13

Several key players will return to the lineup in 2008 after missing significant time last season. Linebacker Mike Peterson, who missed the final six games with a broken hand, and safety GeraldSensabaugh, who missed 14 games after shoulder surgery, participated in off season workouts. Other notable players that will return are defensive tackle Tony McDaniel and tight endsGeorge Wrighster and Greg Estandia.

Perhaps the biggest move made by the team was locking up quarterback David Garrard to a contract extension. Garrard led the Jaguars to a 9-3 mark in his 12 starts and ranked third in the NFLwith a 102.2 passer rating. He set the franchise single-season recordfor highest passer rating and completion percentage (64.0).

“It’s my chance to be the leader of this team and take the reins,”Garrard said. “Hopefully I can be at that consistent level I was playing at last year and actually play a little bit higher.”

Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter enters his second season after directing the club to a franchise single-season record for points (411, 25.7), touchdowns (50), touchdown passes (28) and yards perplay (5.6) in 2007. The Jaguars ranked seventh in the NFL in offense(357.4), tied for the second-highest ranking in franchise history.

The running back duo of Fred Taylor (223-1,202, 5 TDs) and Maurice Jones-Drew (167-768, 9 TDs) ranked second in the NFL for the second consecutive season as they finished with 1,970 rushing yards. Taylor earned the first Pro Bowl trip of his 10-year career and was the only player in the NFL to record five straight 100-yard rushing games.

Receiver Reggie Williams returns after setting the single-season franchise record with 10 touchdown receptions, surpassing the previous high of eight set by Jimmy Smith in three different seasons(1998, 2000, 2001). “He was challenged last year and embraced thechallenge, worked at it and really went on to have his best year hereas a pro,” Del Rio said. “That’s really the only way. Coaches coachand players play and I’m going to challenge guys wherever I can. Ifeel like as a football team if we challenge each other and the bestguys win out and play then we benefit as a football team. So we’vegot a competitive group there and he has to meet that challenge,be the best guy, create a role for himself.”

The 2008 schedule is highlighted by three nationally televised prime time games on NBC, ESPN and NFL Network. The team will openits 14th regular season on the road at AFC South rival Tennessee on September 7 at 1:00 p.m., with their home opener the followingweek against Buffalo on September 14. The Jaguars’ schedule

features a Sunday Night game at home on NBC against Pittsburghon October 5, a Monday Night Game on ESPN on December 1 atHouston and a Thursday Night home game against Indianapolis onNFL Network on December 18. “We have to go out there and travel to Tennessee and try to beat those guys in week one,” Jaguars running back Fred Taylor said. “In my heart, I feel like we can be one of the top teams in the league, but we still have to go out there on Sundays and do it.”

The schedule features four playoff teams from 2007 and six gamesagainst playoff teams – Tennessee and Indianapolis twice, as well as Pittsburgh and Green Bay. The Jaguars will have 10 games againstteams that finished .500 or better in 2007, and four against division winners. The Jaguars’ three nationally televised prime times are tied for the third-most in team history (4, 1999 and 2000) and most since2000. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ 2008 training camp will begin on Friday, July 25 when all 80 players on the team’s roster are scheduled to report. The first practice session will take place on Saturday, July 26 at 10:15 a.m. on the practice fields northwest of Jacksonville Municipal Stadium.

Training camp will be open to the public and media for viewing through August 6. Training camp will feature 18 practice sessions over two weeks before the start of the Jaguars’ preseason on August 9.

There is no admission charge for training camp, and parking will be available in the parking lots surrounding the stadium.



GINN REUNION RESORT SUPPORTS BREASTCANCER RESEARCH WITH PINK ON THE LINKSVACATION PACKAGE

Ginn Reunion® Resort will support breast cancer research and earlydetection with their second annual Pink on the Links golf packagedesigned specifically for female golfers.

Ginn Reunion Resort, a luxury golf resort near Orlando, Fla., will runthe Pink on the Links promotion through the months of Septemberand October. October has been recognized throughout the world as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the color pink has becomethe international symbol for breast cancer awareness.

The Pink on the Links package includes:

• A deluxe three-bedroom villa

• Two rounds of golf on two of the Reunion’s three championship golf courses

• Pink spa pedicure at The Spa at Ginn Reunion

• A pink tote including a sleeve of pink golf balls and special amenities

• A complimentary Cosmopolitan at Eleven, Reunion Grande’s rooftop restaurant and bar

• 20% discount at all resort retail shops

A member of Preferred Hotels® & Resorts, Ginn Reunion Resort has a multi-acre water park and swim pavilion, a state-of-the-art fit-ness center, a full-service spa, fine dining and casual cuisine, kids programs, lighted tennis courts and three championship golf courses designed by Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson.The resort’s personal concierge service makes sure that no requestgoes unheeded.

A portion of proceeds from the Pink on the Links golf package willsupport the Kelly Jo Dowd Foundation, an organization whose mission is to promote early detection of breast cancer throughregular mammograms.

It will also support the KJ Koda Dowd Wish Fund through the Mak-ing Memories Breast Cancer Foundation, a wish-granting organiza-tion for terminally-ill breast cancer patients.

The Pink on the Links promotion is $200 per person, per night basedon triple occupancy. Does not include taxes and resort fees. To booka reservation, visit www.reunionresort.com or call 888-418-9610.


The rate of childhood obesity in America has more than tripledsince 19801, and, in Florida, 32.5 percent of children ages 10 to 17 are overweight or obese2. Compelled by the serious and widespread threat of the obesity epidemic for children, families,communities and the health care system, The Blue Foundation fora Healthy Florida, the philanthropic affiliate of Blue Cross and BlueShield of Florida (BCBSF), today announced a statewide initiativecalled Embrace a Healthy Florida.

The $8 million, four-year strategic effort will address the causes of childhood obesity through public-private partnerships. Embrace aHealthy Florida was announced during a convening of Jacksonvillecommunity nonprofit, nongovernmental agencies, governmental agencies, and leaders who are currently engaged in activities that address childhood obesity.

“We are taking action beyond traditional nutrition and fitness programs,” said Susan Towler, executive director of The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida. “Through strategic philanthropy, Embrace a Healthy Florida will foster environments that promotehealthy lifestyles for children.”

The statewide initiative will support community-based programs that promote change in families and parenting, childcare centersand schools, neighborhood recreation opportunities and other influences on the accessibility of healthy food and physical activity.Focusing on Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Tampa and Tallahasseeregions, the three-phase effort will provide grants to nonprofit organizations, fund research, and foster community collaboration.

Along with numerous physical health risks, overweight and obese children are shown to suffer higher rates of depression, greater difficulty in peer relationships and poorer quality of life than their normal weight counterparts3.

“Instead of several segmented strategies, Embrace a HealthyFlorida brings together resources from numerous factions,” saidTowler. “This enables the initiative to become one unified effortworking together to combat childhood obesity.”

The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida is a nonprofit, private foundation established by BCBSF in 2001. Through strategic philanthropy, The Blue Foundation supports community-based solutions that enhance access to quality health-related services for Floridians, particularly the uninsured and underserved.

The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida is a separate, philanthropic affiliate of BCBSF incorporated in the state of Florida. The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida, and its parent, BCBSF, are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information on The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida, please visit its Web site at www.bluefoundationfl.com.

Refrences:1 Sorter, A (2006). A Weighty Issue: Childhood Obesity. Retrieved April 30, 2008, from Florida Medical Center Web site:http://floridameicalctr.staywellsolutionsoline.com/RelatedItems/1,2233.

2 National Initiative for Children’s Healthcare Quality.

3 Action for Healthy Kids, The Learning Connection: The Value of Improving Nutrition and Physical Activity in Our Schools, 2004(www.ActionForHealthyKids.org [July 7, 2005]).



RS&H: Creating A GreatFirst ImpressionFor Jacksonville By Mike Bernos

If you have traveled through Jacksonville’s International Airport recently, then you’veprobably noticed its brighter, larger concourses, reflecting not only their role as gateway to Florida, but also an ambiancethat introduces Jacksonville’s sense of place.

The facilities and infrastructure consulting firm responsible for the design is RS&H, a national firm who has been working to modernize JIA for the past 19 years to keep up with growingpassenger demands. Recently, RS&H’s Aviation Program, whichconsults with major airports such as O’Hare, Houston Continental, Portland International and Tampa International, designed JIA’s new A and C concourses. The design of concourse B will begin after the opening of Concourse C in October, 2008. The original concourses were opened in 1968and had become outdated. The concourse replacement waspart of an overall airport improvement plan created by RS&H’sarchitects and engineers that began in 2000 and designed withthe intention to make the airport a gateway to the city, expressive in every aspect of its economic, cultural and community life. The project (all completed except for the construction of Concourse C and design of Concourse B) includes a 2,400-space daily garage, modification of the existinggarage existing garage to an hourly facility with s state of the artspace locator system, a pedestrian access way with power walksand escalators, roadway and surface parking expansion, a fullyintegrated, thoroughly checked baggage explosive detectionsystem, (the first of its kind in the nation), a centralized securitycheckpoint expansion area and three new 10-gate concourses.

RS&H project manager, Pat Hargrove, says the new concoursesprovide more of a pleasant experience for JIA’s 6.5 million plusannual passengers.

“We wanted the concourses be a manifestation of Jacksonville’s unique sense of place,” he says.

With a tradition that began in 1941, RS&H is ranked 78 among the nation’s largest Architectural and Engineering firms and has offices in Florida, California, Colorado, Georgia,Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio,Texas, Utah and Virginia. RS&H’s market sector programs include Aerospace and Defense, Aviation, Commercial, Institutional, Transportation and Public Infrastructure.

Construction Engineering Inspection services (CEI) are provided through its wholly owned subsidiary, Reynolds, Smith and Hills, CS Incorporated.


GettingAround

JIA




Photo by: Dan Van Slyke/Jacksonville Jaguars

JACK DEL RIOFOUNDATION TOHELP CHILDREN INNORTHEAST FLORIDAThe Jack Del Rio Foundation was established in 2008 by Jack and Linda Del Rio to help improve the lives of children in Northeast Florida

The mission of the foundation is to motivate our community to meet the needs of underserved youth in our area. We seekto energize, educate and enrich the lives of our youth throughthe generous investment of financial support, time and devotion.

Since arriving in Jacksonville in 2003, Del Rio and Linda have been extremely active in the civic life of the region, helping to raise and distribute contributions for numerous organizations. The Del Rios have also raised funds for the Seamark Ranch through sales of the 2003 JagNet Cookbookand through the 2004 Del Rio Family Charity Golf Classic. In establishing the Jack Del Rio Foundation, Coach Del Rio extends his already active civic involvement to help the underserved children of our area.

“Jacksonville is our home,” Jack Del Rio said, “Linda and I feel a strong connection to this wonderful community. We also see a crying need to help our underserved young people enjoy fulfilling lives, and we want to do something about it. We wantto create an organization that is greater than self. It’s our hopethat the Jack Del Rio Foundation and its Christian principles willhelp teach our youth that dreams can come true, that hope,character and hard work can and will result in a better life.”

Several events are planned for the Foundation in 2008 including a celebrity golf tournament on Friday, October 17 at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra. The event will be preceded by a VIP Celebrity Party on Thursday, October 16. More detailswill be announced at a later date. The Foundation hosted morethan 20 children from the Seamark Ranch at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on June 7 for a Jaguars minicamp practice.Children were treated to ice cream, presents, and a chance tovisit with Del Rio and several Jaguar players.

The Jack Del Rio Foundation is an approved IRS tax-exempt501 (C) (3) charity.

Policies and programs are directed by its Board of Directorswho have discretionary powers and are dedicated to fulfillingtheir responsibility in a manner that will result in maximum beneficial use of resources of the Foundation to help underserved youth in Northeast Florida.



ST. JOHNS TOWN CENTER

St. Johns Town Center Provides a host of upscale, exclusive new retail options in Jacksonville.

St. Johns Town Center is a 1.1 million-square-foot, open-air lifestyle center offering innovative new retail, residential, hotel, and dining choices for Jacksonville shoppers. With more than 100 retailers, 40 of which areexclusive to the market, St. Johns Town Center provides an exciting mix of stores targeting the upscale shopperas well as the bargain hunter. Anchor tenants include Barnes & Noble, Dillard’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Target. The second phase of St. Johns Town Center recently opened with an additional 180,000 square feet of dining and retail options, extending the main street environment of the center southward. Among the new offerings are a number of upscale retailers and restaurants opening their first Jacksonville-area doors.

New stores recently opened in St. Johns Town Center’s second phase include LACOSTE, Bakers, True Religionand Yogaberry. LACOSTE and True Religion are both new to the Jacksonville market, offering shoppers aneven greater selection of premium choices.

LACOSTE, Bakers, True Religion and Yogaberry Now Open;Kate Spade, Cole Haan and J. Alexander’s Set to Open Soon!

LACOSTE is a lifestyle brand, which allies elegance and comfort, offering a large collection of clothing forwomen, men and children, footwear, perfumes, leather goods, glasses, watches, belts and home textiles. The 1,800-square-foot store is located next to Tommy Bahama in Phase Two.

Bakers is a leading specialty retailer of fashion-forward footwear for hip, style-driven young women. Bakers occupies 2,000 square feet in Phase Two near Urban Outfitters.

True Religion is a Los Angeles-based premium denim company known for its intense attention to detail. True Religion Brand Jeans has distinguished itself as a leader in the high-end denim market for men, womenand kids. The line also includes a myriad of colored corduroy pants, skirts, shirts, shorts, jackets, blazers, hoodies, T-shirts and more. The 1,500-square-foot store is located across from Brooks Brothers in Phase Two.

Yogaberry offers fresh and tasty frozen yogurt. The 900-square-foot store is located near Ballard Design across from the Beauty Bar in Phase Two.

Other new stores set to open in Phase Two this year include:

Kate Spade – offers sophisticated designer handbags and accessories (Summer 2008) Cole Haan – offers luxury footwear, handbags, leather goods and coats. (Summer 2008)J. Alexander’s – offers upscale casual dining and contemporary American cuisine (Fall 2008)

St. Johns Town Center, a joint venture between Simon Property Group and Ben Carter Properties, is locatedconveniently off the Gate Parkway exit from J. Turner Butler Boulevard in the heart of Jacksonville. For a mapand store listings, as well as directions, events and job listings, visit www.simon.com or call 904.642.8339.


A Taste of theCaribbean

Breeze Wood Grilled ChickenBreast

Serves: 2

INGREDIENTS:

2 Chicken Breast 8 oz, boneless, skinless2 Tbsp Olive OilSalt and Pepper to taste½ cup of Wood Chips, soaked in water for 15 minutes½ cup of Orange Glaze½ cup of Citrus Butter Sauce2 servings of Your Favorite side-dish2 servings of Your Favorite Vegetables

PREPARATION:

Lightly coat the chicken breast with olive oil, salt and pepper on both sides. Grill over a medium heat, pre-heated char-grill with wood chips added just prior to adding the chicken or a charcoal grill with wood chips added. Grill for 6-7 minutes perside, while flipping it over twice during the grilling; the chicken is done when 165-170°F on a meat thermometer or the juices run clear when pierced with a fork. When the chicken is fullycooked baste generously with the orange glaze on both sides.Allow the chicken to cook for one additional minute to caramelizethe glaze. Serve immediately with warm citrus butter sauce andyour favorite sides. Enjoy!!

ORANGE GLAZE:

1/3 cup Orange Marmalade3 Tbsp Orange juice, fresh squeezed1 Tbsp Lemon Juice, fresh squeezed¼ tsp Salt

PREPARATION:Place all the ingredients in a kitchen blender and pulse untilsmooth. Place in a clean container and refrigerate until neededfor grilling.

CITRUS BUTTER SAUCE:

2 tsp Olive oil 1 Tbsp Shallots, minced ½ cup of White Wine½ cup of Orange Juice, Fresh squeezed6 Tbsp Butter cubes, cold1 Tbsp Sugar Salt to tasteWhite Pepper to taste

PREPARATION:

Add the oil in a heated small sauce pan. Add the shallots andsauté for one minute. Add the Orange juice and white wine andreduce by ¾. Reduce the heat to low and add the butter cubesone at a time while whisking the sauce to evenly incorporate thebutter; do not allow the sauce to boil as it will break. Add thesugar, salt and pepper. Stir to combine then strain the saucethrough fine mesh strainer. Serve hot and enjoy!!


The newly constructed Sheraton JacksonvilleHotel benefits from prime positioning, locatedin the heart of Deerwood Park – a high-trafficarea that has experienced significant growthover the past three years. Located 10 milesfrom downtown and just two miles from therestaurants and theaters of Tinsel Town, thehotel enjoys close proximity to major interestpoints and attractions.

The Sheraton Jacksonville Hotel combines comfort and style in all 159 guestrooms with slick, wall-mounted flat screen HDTVs,wireless internet and Starbucks Coffee©. Located on preferredfloors, Sheraton Club guestrooms will have access to Club Lounge benefits, such as continental breakfast served daily, afternoon hors d’oeuvres and beverages, upgraded bath amenities and work stations complete with copier, fax and printer capabilities.

The hotel will also feature a new Sheraton brand standard – the Link. Adjacent to the lobby, this specially designed communal lounge features plasma televisions and multiple broadband internet-enabled workstations complete with complimentary Wi-Fi connectivity, printing capabilities and other perks, such as games and refreshments.

The Sheraton Jacksonville Hotel provides 856 sq. ft. of meetingspace in two meeting rooms as well as related service, includingAV, catering and event planning. The 24-hour fitness center hasbeen outfitted with state-of-the-art cardiovascular equipment,weight training facilities and an indoor pool with spa jet technology.

A first for the Jacksonville area, thehotel will house Shula’s 347 Grill, acasual venue in the tradition ofShula’s Steak Houses, named inhonor of famed Coach Don Shula.Decked in the casual atmosphereof flat screen TVs and sports memorabilia, the restaurant will exclusively serve Certified Angus

Beef© and the renowned SHULA CUTS as part of its gourmetmenu. For business meetings or special occasions, three privatedining rooms will also be available.

The Sheraton Jacksonville Hotel’s

Grand Openingtakes place, July 16th, 2008.

For more information on the property, please visitwww.sheraton.com/jacksonville.





Employees, visitors to Jacksonville and anyone looking

for a fast commute will have better options on AirJTA,

the Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s downtown-to-

airport shuttle bus service. This express JTA bus route

stops at the Airport, the River City Marketplace, and the

downtown area. Beginning Monday, August 25th, the

AirJTA service will run more frequently on weekdays,

and will begin Saturday and Sunday service.

“We heard the comments from our riders and increasing the frequency of bus service from 90 minutes to 50 minutes and droppingthe price from $3.00 to $1.50 will definitely serve our market better,”said Michael J. Blaylock, Executive Director/CEO.

The AirJTA route (also known as the NS33) began in June 2006 withexpress service only from downtown directly to hotels and restaurantsalong Airport Road and the JIA terminal. Since its inception, ridershiphas increased steadily. The addition of the new River City Marketplacegenerated an overwhelming response from riders.

The expanded AirJTA service will give business travelers around theairport an opportunity to enjoy great restaurants and shopping at the River City Marketplace. The new weekend service will be moreconvenient for travelers and hotel guests downtown that leave or return on Saturdays or Sundays.

Airport employees will be able to express to and from DowntownJacksonville in only 30 minutes for only $1.50 each way. The increasedfrequency also provides commuters with more options to catch astress free trip between downtown and the River City Marketplace.

JTA Respondsto Rising AirJTA Demand - AGAIN

Increased Frequency, Low er Cost, andNew Weekend Service

JTA Respondsto Rising AirJTA Demand - AGAIN

Increased Frequency, Low er Cost, andNew Weekend Service


JAA LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISES PROGRAM(LSBE) PRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS.

The Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA) awarded two of its larger paintingcontracts totaling $416,775.00 to two separate LSBE firms, Rose and BarrettPaint Contractor, Inc. and Demetrius Shack’s Painting Service, Inc. The projectsincluded the painting of the steel support canopy at Jacksonville InternationalAirport’s (JIA) main airport terminal and all signs & frames located on JIA grounds.

A good model to business success is to gain access, outstanding performance and develop a good business relationship. Both LSBE firms are excellent practitioners of this model. Through opportunities produced byJAA, the LSBE program and personnel, each one of these contractors wereawarded an opportunity to showcase their skills and abilities to produce a quality product. The final results of their work left a very positive impressionupon JAA project supervisor, Roger Rich. He often commends both companies on their professional performance, pride and appearance and would not hesitate to utilize their services on any JAA projects.

Since obtaining SBE certification, Rose and Barrett has been awarded contracts with other companies such as The Stellar Group, W.G. Mills and nowJAA is included on that list of satisfied customers totaling 15 companies andgrowing. Reginald Ansley, Sr., President of Rose and Barrett, has seen his company grow as the number of his employees has increased from two to fifteen. He stated that the JAA project provided an excellent opportunity tomarket his services to not only other prime contractors but also to the generalpublic due to the millions of traveling customers passing through JIA’s terminal.He takes pride in the fact that his company offers quality service and total customer satisfaction to all its clients.

Demetrius Shack’s Painting Service, Inc. was established in July 1999 and became SBE certified 3 years later. Since certification, Mr. Shack has receivedapproximately 15 contracts in commercial and industrial painting, includingW.G. Mills, SL Construction, and now JAA. He too has experienced a growthin employees from 3 to 35. Mr. Shack also points out that the JAA project wasa canvas for him and provided an excellent opportunity to market his businessto millions of potential clients. He states, “A lot of comments and calls havecome as a result of this project.”

Often when a SBE is awarded a contract, the opportunity to develop a business relationship is not pursued. They simply complete the work and move on. That was not the case with these two SBE firms. Both understandthe importance of relationship building. Rose and Barrett believed the key to completing this project successfully was developing a good working relationship first by being honest, flexible, consistent and professional. Both firms commended and credited Roger Rich as a key to their success.Reginald commended Roger for always being available, informative and very considerate. “He’s a very unique guy and I would accept any future opportunities to work with him,” says Reginald.

Demetrius Shack credits Roger for maintaining effective communication, being pleasant, courteous and available during the entire course of the project. He believes safety is an important part of success and Roger reinforced that with excellent support. Based on the quality of service Roger received, he recommended to a prime contractor that they inviteDemetrius Shack to bid on one of their projects. As a result, Mr. Shack was selected as the painting sub-contractor for a painting contract valued over $16,000.

The importance of relationship building at its best!


Jacksonville Jetsetter Spring 2008 I 31

A Microtel Inn & Suites hotel has opened at 13200 International Airport Blvd., one-half mile from the Jacksonville, FL International Airport, showcasing the Microtel brand’s award-winning new prototypedesign. The Jacksonville Airport Microtel is owned by JAX Lodging and principals Gregory and Kim Spatz of Pompano Beach, FL, and wasconstructed by their affiliate, United States Construction Corporation. It is managed by SKY Hospitality of Palm Harbor, FL. Microtel is the Atlanta-based award-winning chain of all-new construction, interior corridor economy/limited service hotels.

“With Jacksonville one of the fastest growing markets in Florida, we are pleased to debut Microtel’s prototype design, which sets a new standard for hotel guests and defines the economy hotel of the future,”said Gregory Spatz, who has extensive experience in constructing largeprojects including over 70 Home Depot shopping centers. “In addition,the Microtel brand has a history of success and recognition and is at thetop of its category, providing guests with exceptional comfort and greatvalue.” For the sixth consecutive year, Microtel has been ranked highest in guest satisfaction among economy hotel chains in the J.D. Power andAssociates 2007 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index StudySM.

With the new design, the 77-room Jacksonville Airport Microtel Inn &Suites boasts a contemporary and streamlined, yet practical environment,with unexpected enhancements that guests would not ordinarily expect to find in an economy hotel. For example, all guest rooms feature a 32-inch flat-panel LCD HD television, sleek granite countertops, microfridge and microwave (in doubles and suites), and spacious desk unitsequipped with easily accessible power and data ports. The hotel’s boldcolor palette known as “Cappuccino” (one of the brand’s six new palettes)integrates rich, deep colors to create a comfortable, inviting atmosphereand a consistent theme throughout. Suites, with Microtel’s new signatureMicroKitchen™, are divided into four zones – with ample space to work,eat, sleep and relax

The hotel also features the stylish new Microtel bedding known asDream Well™ with a plush pillow-top mattress and fitted bed skirt,high quality 200-thread count white and khaki-piped linens with triple sheeting, down-like blanket, decorative top sheet, bed scarfand pillows.

The three-story Jacksonville Airport Microtel hotel offers single, double and suite accommodations, all with free local and free longdistance phone calls anywhere within the continental U.S. and freeWiFi; 32-inch flat-panel LCD HD television; hairdryer; coffee maker,and iron and ironing board. In addition, there is an on-site FitnessCenter, Business Center, outdoor swimming pool, meeting room, and guest laundry. Guests can enjoy Microtel’s new complimentaryGet Up and Joe™ continental daily breakfast and 24 hr. coffee andtea. Free airport shuttle service is available.

New Microtel Inn & Suites at Jacksonville, FL Airport Showcases Economy Hotel of the Future with Brand's Innovative New Prototype Design

Cecil Field Airfest Hosts 2nd AnnualFly, Drive & Ride for MS Research

Nearly 6,000 people enjoyed the 2nd Annual Cecil Field Airfest benefiting Fly, Drive & Ride for MultipleSclerosis Research on Saturday, May 3, 2008.

The airfest included a large static display of 65 airplanes, a crowd juried classic car show, a Kids Zone, a variety of food vendors, music and other family activities. Raffle drawings took place throughout the day.

Sixty-three young people between the ages of 8-17took a free plane ride, courtesy of The Experimental Aviation Association (EAA) Young Eagles.

About 70 motorcycles participated in a Seven Card Stud Poker Run organized by the Silverbacks RidingClub. Top prize for the Poker Run was a Daytona International Speedway ticket package for (4) four for the 2008 Coke Zero 400.

The big winner was MS Research, who received over $10,000 from the proceeds of the event. Organizers hope to add acrobatic demonstrations to next year’s airfest.




Back in the 1930s, Frank Schutt, general manager of The Peabody, and a friend, Chip Barwick, returned from a weekend hunting trip to Arkansas. The men had a little too much Tennessee sippin'whiskey, and thought it would be funny to place some of their live duck decoys (it was legal then forhunters to use live decoys) in the beautiful Peabody fountain.

Three small English call ducks were selected as "guinea pigs," and the reaction was nothing short of enthusiastic. Thus began a Peabody tradition which was to become internationally famous.

The original ducks have long since gone, but after more than sixty years, the marble fountain in thehotel lobby is still graced with ducks. Today, the Mallards are raised by a local farmer and friend ofthe hotel. The ducks live in the fountain until they are full-grown and, on retirement from theirPeabody duties, are returned to the wild. The Peabody ducks march at 11am and 5pm daily.

THE LEGEND CONTINUES"THE PEABODY" OPENING 2010

Twelve students from Ribault High School participated in a week long aviation summer campJuly 7-11. Organized and hosted by the Organization of Black Airline Pilots (OBAP), studentslearned about the multitude of career options available in the aviation industry. The climax of the program was a 30 minute “hands on” flight in a Cessna aircraft. Through Delta ConnectionAcademy (DCA) based at Craig Airport, the students flew on the small single engine airplanes to St. Augustine Airport, landed and then returned to Jacksonville.

This unique camp is designed to inspire under-represented students to set their sights on becoming part of a highly regarded field. All week campers toured and learned about aviation at Jacksonville International Airport, Cecil Field and Craig Airport. They also participated in classroom activities that required teamwork and putting their math and science knowledge to work.

Plans are already being made to expand the program next year. OBAP conducts over 20 such aviation camps every summer.

The summer camp was sponsored by The Jacksonville Aviation Authority, Jacksonville University, Florida Community College at Jacksonville and Ribault High School.

Aviation Summer Camp



34 I Jacksonville Jetsetter Summer 2008 Jacksonville Jetsetter Summer 2008 I 35

First Coast HonorAir took their third trip from Jacksonville International Airport to Washington,DC on May 31, 2008. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Orange Park-Sunrise, Honorair III provided the opportunity for 100 World War II veterans to visit the WWII Memorial and participate in a "wreath laying" ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.

Initially, First Coast HonorAir intended to offer just one chartered flight to the nation's capitaland limit the trip to veterans of Clay County. However, due to the many requests from WWII veterans from all over north and central Florida and southeast Georgia, the opportunity wasopened up to include anyone who applied. To date, HonorAir has flown 300 veterans fromJacksonville to visit their memorial.

First Coast HonorAir assigns volunteer "Guardians" to escort the veterans and assist with theirpersonal needs. Medical staff accompany the veterans throughout the trip. While the medicaland support staff pay their own way on the chartered US Airways flight, there is no cost to theWWII veterans.

First Coast HonorAir is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization, relying on individual, corporate andorganizational donations. All donations are tax deductible. For more information, visit their website at www.firstcoasthonorair.com.

First Coast HonorAir

The Robin Shepherd Group is the proud recipient of a nationalGold ADDY® Award for its work on a public service campaigndesigned for the First Coast Surfrider Foundation, a non-profit environmental organization in Jacksonville Beach. Shepherd, anaward winning full-service marketing, public relations and interactive agency is the only firm in North Florida to receive this honor and only one of four in the regional district that includes Florida and the Caribbean.

“Winning a national Gold ADDY® award alongside some of the most creative work in the industry is a great honor,” saidRobin Shepherd, president and CEO of The Robin ShepherdGroup. “We have always been extremely proud of our posterdesigns and are thrilled for our work to be recognized on such a large stage.”

In April, Shepherd won 13 regional ADDY® awards for its workacross a variety of industries at the District Four ADDY® Awardscelebration in St. Petersburg. The winners were then enteredinto the national competition.

The First Coast Surfrider poster campaign was designed to encourage patrons to protect the beaches and eliminate pollution along the shorelines. A series of three posters displayed drawings in the sand of trash cans, recycle bins and ash trays surrounding visuals of actual garbage, bottles and cigarettes to remind people where to place their garbage.

With over 60,000 entries annually, the ADDY® Awards are theworld’s largest advertising competition. The ADDY® Awards represent the true spirit of creative excellence by recognizing all forms of advertising from media of all types, creative by allsizes and entrants of all levels from anywhere in the world. The American Advertising Federation, a not-for-profit industryassociation conducts the ADDY® Awards through its 200 member advertising clubs and 15 districts. It is the only creativeawards program administered by the advertising industry for the industry.

The Robin Shepherd Group is an award-winning full service marketing, public relations and interactive firm that has offices in Jacksonville, Atlanta and New Jersey. For more information,visit www.trsg.net.

The Robin Shepherd Group WinsNational Gold Addy® Award

Winning Surfrider Foundation Poster



Located in the Sawgrass Village, at the entrance of

the world-renowned TPC Sawgrass, in Ponte Vedra

Beach, Fla., the recently-renovated Hilton Garden Inn

Jacksonville/ Ponte Vedra provides the finest-quality

essential services and amenities for small groups,

business travelers, weekend leisure guests, golfers

and wedding parties with dedication to guest

comfort and exemplary service.

Characterized by an inviting, contemporary/traditional-Florida

style, the six-story, 127-room hotel features 61 spacious suites —

10 of which boast private whirlpools. The hotel is located within

walking distance of twenty upscale shops, a full-service spa, and

seven restaurants, including a Japanese steakhouse and sushi bar;

fresh seafood grill; classic steakhouse and piano bar; and an upscale

Northern Italian café.

Hotel amenities include an in-room “hospitality center” that houses a mini-refrigerator, microwave oven and coffee maker; a complimentary workout facility and Stay Fit Kit®; a 24-hour PavilionPantry® convenience mart; an outdoor pool and whirlpool; the GreatAmerican Grill® restaurant serving cooked-to-order breakfast daily;evening room service and complimentary Wi-Fi Internet accessthroughout the hotel.

Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville/Ponte Vedra is situated in the Sawgrass Village on A1A, at 45 PGA Tour Boulevard in Ponte VedraBeach , Fla. 32082 .

To make reservations visit www.jacksonvillepontevedra.hgi.comor call the hotel directly at 866-766-8382.


New AMAC Chair Presiding As OrganizationPrepares To Celebratethe Quarter Century MarkBy Ollie W. Dowell

The highest ranking position in the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC)goes to one of its most dedicated members, Don T. O'Bannon. O'Bannon was named AMAC Chair during the 24th Annual Airport Business Diversity Conference held May 31, 2008 through June 3, 2008 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

If the 2008 conference theme, Racing Towards Diversity, Opportunity andGrowth is any indication of the work ahead for O'Bannon, he is more than prepared for the race and the job. O'Bannon has served as AMAC's First andSecond Vice Chair; Chairman, Bylaws Committee; Director, AMAC SouthwestRegional; Chairman, AMAC Economic Forum and Member of the ConferencePlanning Committee for the past five years.

For the past six years, he has led the Small and Emerging Business Departmentat Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, making it a "world class" department,according to Jeff Fegan, DFW's CEO. DFW is third busiest airport in the world.

O'Bannon joined AMAC in 2002. At the recent conference in Indianapolis,O'Bannon gave members a good dry run of his leadership qualities. He servedon the Conference Planning Committee, moderated the Accelerate Your Business Using the Joint Venture as a Turbo Charger session and served as apanelist for the Dollars and Cents of Doing Business at an Airport session. Heeven showed off his musical talent and comedic side during the now infamousAMAC Idol Karaoke Contest, which benefited the AMAC Scholarship Program.

One of the many challenges facing O'Bannon is building on the success realizedat the 2008 conference as AMAC prepares to celebrate a quarter century atnext year's conference in Baltimore, Maryland, June 6-9, 2009.

O'Bannon had this response at the recent conference when asked how he plans to build on the momentum and make the 25th anniversary a banner year. "More success will be realized as we take advantage of the expansion in the airport industry across the board," says O'Bannon. "While concessionaires makeup a large portion of our membership, I want to develop new relationships withengineering and maintenance companies, professional services firms and othernon-ACDBEs doing business in the airport environment, both big and small."

AMAC has long been one of the best kept secrets in the airport industry for minorities and women to grow their businesses. O'Bannon says AMAC is growing because of "word-of-mouth" and it is now recognized as a "worldclass" organization. O'Bannon attributes much of that success to the hard workand dedication of out going Chair, Nedra Farrar-Luten. "She brought leadershipskills to the organization that we all need to achieve," said O'Bannon. "She wasoverly generous with her time from her job at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and the quality of her character attracted new membersfrom all regions. I'm most inspired by the fact that she brought consistency tothe quality of the organization's programs that infused new life."

While increasing AMAC's membership is a top priority, O'Bannon also plans toreaddress the organization's core mission of being an advocacy group to makesure the Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) Program continues to exist.

"AMAC is the guardian of that program and we are the only advocate that issolely dedicated to the program," says O'Bannon.

In addition, O'Bannon pledges to develop mentoring programs for emergingDBE and WBE firms in the airport environment, develop new business relationships with the nation's airports and governments to Gain for a clear understanding of how the DBE program works and the importance of continuing it in the future.

Executing the vision of the organization is one of the principal requirements ofthe Chair, as well as leading the board of directors and AMAC's managementteam. It is a "call to duty" that O'Bannon embraces in many other arenas.

In 2007, O'Bannon was recognized as one of the most influential African American leaders in the state of Texas by Minority Business News magazine. He currently serves on the Board of the African Chamber of Commerce, GreaterDallas Asian American Chamber of Commerce Advisory Board and the AirportCouncil International Diversity Committee. He has won numerous awards for hisservice to the minority and women- owned business community. He is the 2007recipient of the Luna Award for Business Advocate of the Year from the DFWHispanic Contractors Association, was named Public Sector Advocate of theYear by the Black Contractors Association and received the Outstanding Diversity Executive Award from the Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber of Commerce.

"Don has the quality and character of the person AMAC needs to lead the organization into the next quarter century," said Kenneth Weeden, President,Ken Weeden & Associates, Inc., Wilmington, NC and AMAC's newly electedFirst Vice Chair.

O'Bannon is a graduate of Dartmouth College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree, and the University of Virginia, where he attained his law degree.O'Bannon continues to maintain his law license. He has more than twenty yearsof airport industry and legal expertise. Another notable achievement is his workwith government clients to assure compliance with regulations and the creationof expanded opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses.

Prior to joining DFW, O'Bannon was a partner with the Dallas law firm of Vial &Hamilton where he specialized in representing governmental entities. He is a former partner at Bell, Nunnally & Martin in Dallas and served as Division Chiefin the Business Litigation Section for Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). O'Bannonstill maintains his own legal consulting firm, O'Bannon & Associates, P.C.

O'Bannon is the second attorney to serve as AMAC Chair. He will carry out a two-year term.


Documents

Jetsetter 04R7:JETSETTER 04 7/31/08 11:47 AM Page 1 · 2008-08-05 · Jacksonville Jetsetter Summer 2008 I 5 4 I Jacksonville Jetsetter Summer 2008 We have a fleet of 362 aircraft,