At its board meeting this morning, the Jacksonville Aviation Authority elected new leadership for FY2-23. J.C. “Jay” Demetree Jr. is the newly elected board chairman.
Demetree most recently served as vice-chair and succeeds Ray Alford as chair. Demetree was appointed to JAA’s board by Mayor Lenny Curry in 2015. Demetree, a Jacksonville native, is president and CEO of Demetree Brothers, Inc., a leading full-service real estate developer and property manager based in Jacksonville, serving clients throughout Florida and the Southeast.
Michelle Barnett will serve as vice chair. She was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to the board in 2019. Barnett is an attorney and a founding shareholder with Alexander, DeGance, Barnett, P.A.
Matt Connell will serve as Secretary. He was appointed to the JAA board in 2020 by Gov. DeSantis. Connell is co-founder and CEO of Total Military Management, a Jacksonville-based logistics company.
Fernando Acosta-Rua will serve as Treasurer. He was appointed by Gov. DeSantis in October 2021. Acosta-Rua is CEO of Pet Paradise.
The Jacksonville Aviation Authority’s board is comprised of seven members. Three members are appointed by Jacksonville’s mayor while the other four are appointed by the governor of Florida. Each board member may serve two consecutive four-year terms. For more information about JAA, visit www.flyjacksonville.com.