(Left to right: Tina Meskel, Kristy Alexander, Heather Borders, Sheila Lusis, Dr. Lauren Cost)

Tina Meskel, founder, president and principal engineer of Meskel and Associates Engineering (MAE), was named the 2019 JAX Chamber Overall Small Business Leader of the Year. Meskel, a licensed professional engineer in Florida and Georgia, has more than 25 years experience in geotechnical engineering consulting and subsurface investigation services.

“Tina is a highly motivated and successful business owner –– proving time and again that she’s a leader in her field,” said JAX Chamber President and CEO Daniel Davis. “She’s paving the way for the next generation of women in STEM, leading by example and showing the potential opportunities for girls and women interested in engineering. We’re proud to honor her hard work and dedication.”

Meskel founded MAE in 2008 and has since grown the business from a one-person consulting firm into a company with 25 employees, offices in Jacksonville and Tampa, and more than $2.8 million in annual revenue. MAE provides geotechnical engineering, hydrogeology, environmental consulting, construction materials testing, and engineering inspection services to the architecture, engineering and consulting industries.

A native of Rhode Island who grew up in Charleston, South Carolina, Meskel earned a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh in 1990 and an MBA from the University of North Florida in 2007.

Twelve Northeast Florida business leaders were selected as Small Business Leaders of the Year by the Chamber Councils, the Beaches Division and the Entrepreneurial Growth Division. Each of these business leaders then competed for the JAX Chamber Overall Small Business Leader of the Year recognition. In addition to Meskel, who represents the Transportation and Logistics Council, the 2019 Small Business Leaders of the Year are:

• Phil Aitken, Keller Williams, Arlington Council
• Brian Anderson, Fluffy Cuts Pet Spa, Beaches Division
• Nan Kreamer, Avenue CFO Services, Downtown Council
• Kristy Alexander, Apple Rose Beauty, LLC, Entrepreneurial Growth Division
• Dr. Vasco Valov, Abundant Life Health Center, Health Council
• Johnny Helms, Lumbee Group, Jacksonville IT Council
• Terry Bunch, The Flying Locksmiths, Mandarin Council
• Randy Reep, The Law Offices of Randy Reep, North Council
• Dr. Lauren Cost, Revolution Chiropractic , Professional Women’s Council
• Heather Borders, Kailo Nutrition, South Council
• Sheila Lusis, Aflac-Sheila Lusis, West Council

The award was presented at the 6th annual Small Business Breakfast held at the Schultz Center and featured a Q&A with Preston Haskell, founder and director of Haskell. More information about the JAX Chamber is available at www.myjaxchamber.com.