Leadership Jacksonville, established in 1976 as a vehicle to stimulate growth of leadership in the Northeast Florida community, recently hosted its annual two-day New Leadership Summit on May 4 – 5 at The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island. Leadership Jacksonville welcomed 12 participants to its 2015 Summit.

The New Leadership Summit is a unique opportunity in Northeast Florida targeted for CEOs and senior level executives who are new, or are relatively new, to the community. Attendees learn about the region’s assets, issues, institutions and leadership from some of the area’s key corporate, civic, social and educational leaders.

“The New Leadership Summit allows for a great learning experience as well as a one of a kind networking opportunity,” said Jill Langford Dame, executive director of Leadership Jacksonville. “Those who attend the Summit value the perspective of Northeast Florida decision makers and the executives who impact our region, and each year come away with great professional insight and a broader network.”

Participants of the New Leadership Summit had the opportunity to meet and develop relationships with a variety of top executives, community leaders and political officials in addition to fellow class members. The program included presentations about the area’s history, politics, economy, education system, nonprofit sector and cultural and leisure offerings.

Participants included:
• Brent Baxter, Senior Vice President/Controller, Stein Mart Inc.
• David Cox, President, Suddath Relocation Systems
• Carlton DeVooght, Senior Vice President, Coastal Community Health
• Melissa Dykes, Chief Financial Officer, JEA
• Brian Fay, Managing Director, Global Technology & Operations, Deutsche Bank
• Chris Kaniut, General Manager, Saft America
• Patrick Linfors, Director of Field Service/Chief Operating Officer, Boy Scouts of America, North Florida Council
• Bill McConnell, General Manager, SMG Jacksonville
• David Miles, Chief Financial Officer, Healogics, Inc.
• Dr. Christine Sapienza, Dean, College of Health Sciences, Jacksonville University
• Dr. Wenying Xu, Provost/Chief Academic Officer, Jacksonville University
• Kathleen Yohe, Director/Head of Legal, Jacksonville, Deutsche Bank

To learn more about Leadership Jacksonville and its programs, visit www.leadershipjax.org or call (904) 396-6263.