February VOICE Newsletter
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Hello Friends,
As we get settled in to 2021, it is important to recognize the value of our membership and the importance of our association's leaders. In January, we welcomed our new Board of Directors, Tri-Chairs and Committee Leadership. These volunteers perform their duties out of the love for our industry and the value found in our association. I know I speak for all of us that we are grateful for their service to FCMA. Please join me in congratulating:
TRI-CHAIRS
NEW - Jim Bush, Florida Power & Light
Trent Schmidgall, Carlisle Interconnect Technologies
Kelly Wood, NT Plastics
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- Auld & White Constructors
- Carlisle Interconnect Technologies
- Dupuy-Silo Facility LLC
- Florida Power & Light
- Georgia-Pacific Corporation
- Harbinger
- IFF Chemical Holdings
- Q-Pac
- Polyhistor
- Medtronic
- Miller Electric Company
- NT Plastics
- Proforma Northpoint
- Progressive Power Products
- Rulon International
- Shift 7 Leadership
- Golder Associates
- Vac-Con, Inc
COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP
Business to Business
Chair - Sean Hassan, The Doctor Center,
Assistant Chair - Monica Pritchard, Jo-Kell
Environmental Health & Safety
Chair - Joey Duncan, Pond & Company
Assistant Chairs - Leesa Gerald, LG2 Environmental Solutions and Roland Hernandez, Jaxon Industrial Services
Government Relations
Chair - Jim Bush, Florida Power & Light
Assistant Chair - Blair Wygle, Proforma Northpoint
Membership Services
Chair - Wanda Fort, AFLAC
Assistant Chair - Matt Montoya, BKS Partners LLC
Workforce Development
Chairs: Roben Faircloth, CareerSource Northeast Florida and Ernie Aglugub, BAE Systems Jacksonville Ship Repair
Assistant Chairs: Pauline Sevigny, Grace Aerospace and Larry Kates, Progressive Power Products
I would be remiss if I did not recognize all those who participate in our association, be it through committees, attendance at events or just being a member in good standing. As we move forward, I hope you will take advantage of our committees and engage with these leaders who want the best for manufacturing on the First Coast.
Lake G. Ray III, President
First Coast Manufacturers Association
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Sawgrass Finance, LLC
Sawgrass Finance is a local boutique and hands-on lending company that brings fresh financing ideas and solutions to the small and medium businesses. We provide access to working capital with primary focus in the financing of long-term profitable growth by using the businesses'' assets such as accounts receivable, inventory and M&Es. Each credit facility is intended to meet the individual needs of their business, taking into account specifics such as trade cycles, seasonality, customer base and more.
Contact: Marius Dobren, marius@sawgrassfinance.com, 904-654-3063
822 N. A1A, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida 32082
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Government Relations
Thank you Former Representative Ted Yoho for speaking at our January 2021 Government Relations Committee Meeting. It is always an honor to hear your viewpoint on issues facing our community.
General Meeting
Grace Aerospace hosted our January General Meeting on Monday, January 25. Virtually, we received a tour of the facility, learned some history, met our new FCMA members and learned about upcoming events, as well as swearing in our new Board of Directors and Committee Chairs.
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2020 Employee Excellence Awards
January 29, 2021 at Adam W. Herbert University Center
Congratulations Honorees & Thank You to All Participating Companies!
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First Coast Cyber Security Forum
February 9-10, $29 for FCMA members
Cybersecurity has become a major part of any Risk Management program. Register to learn about new cybersecurity standards and how to protect you and your business.
One of a series of Florida Defense Cybersecurity Training Programs, the Jacksonville-based outreach program will focus on cybersecurity protection for business and infrastructure, including healthcare and the Department of Defense CMMC requirements for defense contractors. For more information or to register for this online event, click here.
General Meeting
Our February General Meeting will be held on Monday, February 22, 2021 in-person at Concealment Express, located at10066 103rd St #103, Jacksonville, FL 32210, from 3:00 - 5:00 PM. We will recognize our new members as well as have a virtual tour of our 2020 Manufacturer of the Year (Under 75 Employees), Concealment Express. Please email information@fcmaweb.com for login details.
Save the Date - Golf Outing - Friday, April 16, 2021
St. Johns Golf & Country Club - 7:00 AM, Registration - 8:00 AM Shotgun Start
FCMA has created ways to get involved in “Tee Off For Tuition” this year. Member firms are needed for “goodie” bag items and prize donations. In addition to those opportunities, please see this list for sponsorship opportunities. Proceeds from this event will go to the FCMA UNF Engineering School Scholarship Fund & Advanced Manufacturing Programming.
FCMA Coffee Time
In an effort to provide unique ways to come together during the pandemic, we are initiating FCMA Coffee Time. We have selected group leaders to facilitate monthly meetings at a local coffee shop. We will limit the number of members per group to make the most of everyone’s experience. We will switch up the groups quarterly to continue to foster member to member relationships on a broader scale. If you are interested in more information, please email information@fcmaweb.com. Once assigned, you will be contacted by a facilitator.
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Market Changes and Growth Plans: Post-COVID Survey
How resourceful and resilient are you? Do you have the capacity to handle new growth? Are you using the newer technologies that will help increase your capacity to grow? Do you know the minimum sustaining revenue you need to be more resilient? Take our survey to understand potential gaps in your resiliency and growth plans, and to help the FloridaMakes Network better serve you. Take The Survey
Florida Manufacturers Health Consortium
Our new FMHC with UF Health presents an alternative self-funded employer-centric market where employers can take back control, form their own purchasing pool, and succeed with self-funding. FMHC is available to all groups of employers with 5 or more enrolled employees. Learn more here.
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Member Spotlight - Grace Aerospace
Contact: Pauline Sevigny, pauline@graceaero.com, 904-854-9852 x239
Thank you for hosting our January General Meeting! Check out our quick spotlight video.
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Jacksonville Business Journal: Local transportation leaders
The early days of a new presidential administration can set the tone for the policies emanating from Washington over the next four to eight years. Northeast Florida transportation leaders are aware of that reality and are optimistic that some of the initiatives proposed by President Joe Biden, or considered by his administration, will invigorate the economy — a byproduct of which would benefit the local rail, shipping and trucking industries.
Rob Hooper, CEO of Atlantic Logistics is astonished that a federal infrastructure bill has not been passed. He said an infrastructure bill would be a good public works project and a stimulus to the local, as well as national, economy.
"It would have a huge impact if we can get something passed," Hooper said. "Right now, we are stimulating the economy with wealth transfers. Putting that money into repairing roads and preparing us for the next 20 years, that's a huge investment that will be tremendous.
"With the unemployment so high, we can get people into jobs. Products are going to continue to roll. We could hit a significant recession. I am concerned if we don't get the coronavirus under control, we could lapse. Look at England. They are shutting down everything. That would be very bad. We need to wear a mask, social distance and be sensible in our habits. If we get infrastructure going that could help us for decades."
Robert Fox, who served as CEO of The JZ Expedited Companies until the Jacksonville-based logistics firm was acquired this month, would also like to see the new administration commit to developing roads.
"We would like to see more money poured into the development of federal highways," Fox said. "Federal highways always need improvements. We would love to see the federal Highway Trust Fund grow. To get from Point A to Point B, you have to go across common streets and highways." Read more.
A Place to Call Home
A Putnam County nonprofit organization is making progress on a five-home community designed for veterans. Putnam Habitat for Humanity volunteers began building Veterans Village of Palatka more than a year ago and completed the first home in February 2020. The project has received funding from Georgia-Pacific, Pineland Lodge in Palatka, and other local businesses and groups. Read more.
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We'd love to feature your news or events in the Members Corner in next month's FCMA Voice! Contact information@fcmaweb.com to be featured.
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