left to right: Greg Matovina, Past Chair, HabiJax President and CEO Mary Kay O’Rourke, Jane Upton, Incoming Chair, and Sheila Cribb, Vice Chair

Habitat for Humanity of Jacksonville, Inc. (HabiJax) recently announced its 2015-2016 Board Officers at its June Board of Directors meeting.

The 2015-2016 HabiJax Board Officers are:

• Jane McFarland Upton, Chair
• Sheila Cribb, Vice Chair
• A. Hamilton Cooke, Secretary
• Robert Dilts, Treasurer

The HabiJax Board of Directors is comprised of a diverse spectrum of local citizens who are tasked with promoting the organization’s mission and vision, advocating for affordable housing and providing exceptional governance.

“We are fortunate to have such an involved and dedicated Board of Directors and Officers,” said HabiJax President and CEO Mary Kay O’Rourke. “The expertise they provide in each of their respective fields allows for great collaboration, and we look forward to the coming year.”

Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) has approved Visit Jacksonville for accreditation as part of its Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP). This prestigious honor recognizes Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVB) and Destination Marketing Organizations (DMO) that meet the highest level of quality and performance standards within the industry.

More than 2,000 destination marketing organizations exist worldwide, and Visit Jacksonville is now one of only 208 that are DMAI accredited.

Since its inception in January 2007, the accreditation program requires a DMO to successfully comply with a multitude of mandatory and voluntary standards related to the management and marketing of a destination including governance, finance, human resources, sales, communications, destination development and research.

Other DMAI certified DMOs and CVBs in Florida include Visit Florida, The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel Island, Naples, Marco Island and The Everglades, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & the Beaches, and Amelia Island. For more information, visit www.destinationmarketing.org.

John Palumbo, The Closing Master, is the keynote speaker for the  Northeast Florida Builders Association’s Sales and Marketing Council breakfast on August 14.

Held at the University of North Florida at 12000 Alumni Drive at 8 a.m., the event will be sponsored by Bank of England and Mattamy Homes. The cost of the event is $15 for Sales and Marketing Council members and $20 for non-members. Register for the event here.

John A. Palumbo is CEO of The Sales DNA Institute, an idea studio and research laboratory for sales and marketing management. Since 1985, he has presented hundreds of dynamic,visionary speeches and seminars internationally on the science of sales and influence. John is a member of the National Speakers Association and brings humor and animation to the platform to help others exceed their sales goals.

John has been instrumental in restructuring the Sales DNA of thousands of individuals from small, family run companies to large scale developers such as Trump Grande International. He has the ability to take individuals and organizations to new dimensions of selling excellence. With more than three decades of selling experience, John has closed over one billion dollars in real estate sales.

John is recipient of The National Association of Home Builders’ Sales Manager of the Year Award and The Million Dollar Circle Lifetime Award. He is a prominent member of the Institute of Residential Marketing and has been an instructor for the institute for more than 15 years. John is invited repeatedly as a guest speaker at conferences and national conventions including IBS, Super Sales Rally, SEBC and the Midwest Builders’ Conference, just to name a few.

He is author of The Closing Numbers, Close and Grow Rich, Selling at the Bottom of the Market, What’s Your Sales DNA? and Salesnosis: The Art of Hypnotic Persuasion. Additionally, he appears regularly on the WJXT Morning Show in Jacksonville as their financial guru – “The Investment Gambler.”

Back To School Backpacks

Bring a backpack full of school supplies to the breakfast and  help Daniel’s Kids. It’s the annual SMC drive to collect school supplies for kids in need. All typical school supplies are needed from pencils and paper to rulers and calculators. Load up a backpack and drop it at the collection table.

About Sales and Marketing Council (SMC):

SMC is the place where Builders, Realtors® and other real estate industry-related professionals come together for business development, networking and educational opportunities. Over 200 professionals aligned to create programs, events and activities that bring members and guests together throughout the year.

NEFBA’s Sales & Marketing Council is the largest builder association SMC in Florida and one of the biggest in the nation. The SMC has received the “Best SMC In The Nation” award from the National Association of Home Builders multiple times for its premier programs:

• Monthly Networking Breakfast Meetings
• Annual Laurel Awards for Sales & Marketing Excellence
• Monthly Top Sales Awards Recognition
• Educational & Development Opportunities
• SAM Tram New Model Home Realtor® Bus Tours
• Networking & After hours Socializing Events
• Annual Builder – Realtor® Tradeshow
• Annual NEFBA Parade of Homes Promotion
• Charitable Activities & SMC Cares

Membership is open to all NEFBA member companies and their employees. Open the door to new business, career enhancement, relationship development and great fun with an SMC membership. It’s the best way to meet and network with the top real estate industry professionals in Northeast Florida.

Explore the website to learn more about the many benefits of membership.

ICI Homes was honored with an Excel award for design excellence from the Florida Home Builders Association. The award was presented at the Southeast Building Conference (SEBC) in Orlando.

The company received an Excel award in the Best Interior Merchandising of a Model Home over $1 Million category for its Bordeaux model at Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club.

Rosemary Messina, Vice President of Marketing, ICI Homes, accepts the Excel award for Best Interior Merchandising of a Model Home over $1 Million from Ron Harris on behalf the Florida Home Builders Association

“We are honored to receive the Excel award and the recognition from our industry peers,” said Rosemary Messina, Vice President of Marketing, ICI Homes. “Our Bordeaux model home at Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club reflects the exceptional style and quality that defines every home built by ICI Homes.”

The Bordeaux model at Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club is a two-story home encompassing more than 3,200 square feet of living space. The home was designed by ICI Homes’ interior designer Judy Ellsworth, who has served as the company’s in-house designer for more than 15 years and decorated more than 60 ICI model homes. The Bordeaux’s beautiful entry foyer is flanked by a serene study and elegant dining room. A generous gathering room with coffered ceiling invites family get-togethers. A stylish gourmet kitchen features a center island and walk-in pantry. The owners’ suite, which showcases a tray ceiling, walk-in closets and a luxurious master bath, opens onto the covered lanai. Two secondary bedrooms and a bonus room are separated by a convenient flex space.

Located in Ormond Beach, Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club features two clubhouses, a magnificent 7,000 square foot spa and fitness center, Har-Tru tennis courts and championship golf courses. For more information, visit www.ICIHomes.com.

The John Gorrie a condominium

As the Riverside neighborhood continues to be the place where people want to live, property lease costs are on the rise. Now that the historic, fully-renovated John Gorrie a condominium is Fannie Mae (FNMA) approved, qualified homebuyers can obtain a low down payment and fixed-rate mortgage at competitive rates, allowing them an opportunity to purchase a piece of history.

With only 15 units remaining, The John Gorrie is home to professionals of all ages, retirees, families and their pets. While availability is limited, one- and two-bedroom residences and two-story townhomes remain. Pricing at The John Gorrie begins in the upper-$100,000s and owners receive an ad valorem tax abatement toward their homeowner’s tax bill through 2021.

Designed by noted Jacksonville architects Roy A. Benjamin and Mellen C. Greeley, the former John Gorrie Junior High School was constructed in 1923. The buildings were listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1987 and the school was closed in 1997. The building’s owner, Delores Barr Weaver, completed an extensive renovation and restoration to transform the historic landmark school into 68 residences with luxurious contemporary amenities including 12-foot ceilings, expansive windows, stainless steel GE appliances, CaesarStone countertops and hardwood floors.

The community’s amenities include private gated parking, a private courtyard, custom fitness center, elevators, a resident reading room and Wi-Fi Internet access.

The John Gorrie is located across the street from Bold Bean Coffee Roasters, Tres Leches eatery, a bicycle shop and more, and is within walking distance to grocery stores, allowing residents the opportunity to enjoy the immediate neighborhood without getting into a car. Residents are also in close proximity to the St. Johns River and a variety of beautiful parks, and with I-10 and I-95 being easily accessible, the Beaches are just 30 minutes away.

For more information about how you can be part of The John Gorrie community, call (904) 383-3688 or visit www.TheJohnGorrie.com.

Sisler Johnston Interior Design was honored with two Excel awards for interior design excellence from the Florida Home Builders Association. The awards were presented at the Southeast Building Conference (SEBC) in Orlando. The firm’s Excel awards include:

Best Interior Merchandising in the under $150,000 category for the Wiley model home by Habitat for Humanity of Jacksonville (HabiJax)

Best Sales Office/Information Center for the Anastasia Club at Del Webb Ponte Vedra in Nocatee

Sisler Johnston Interior Design has more than 30 years designing successful interiors for residential and commercial clients. The company has received more than 200 industry awards.

“It is a tremendous honor to receive these Excel awards for our work with HabiJax and Del Webb Ponte Vedra,” said Judith Sisler Johnston, president of Sisler Johnston Interior Design and allied member, ASID. “Our top priority is to achieve and surpass our clients’ goals. We are proud to have our work recognized by industry peers.”

Buyers who want to purchase a brand new home in an established private club community should visit elacora in The Plantation at Ponte Vedra. The company is offering innovative and exceptionally high quality new homes in a prestigious and well known resort lifestyle community.

“When elacora was approached about building homes on the last piece of undeveloped land in The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach, we did the research to see if there would be a market for our homes,” said Victoria Robbins, exclusive agent for elacora Northeast Florida. “What we quickly discovered is there are a lot of people who would like to purchase a new construction home in a community like this.”

Originally established in the mid-1980s, The Plantation is an elegant and pristinely manicured community in a beautiful section of Ponte Vedra Beach. Throughout Ponte Vedra and its neighboring beach communities, there are many established neighborhoods which were built over the last 20 to 30 years. While these wonderful neighborhoods offer great appeal, many buyers want a home that is energy efficient and designed to meet the needs of today’s lifestyle.

Some are purchasing homes and investing to renovate them to today’s standards. In some cases, buyers are tearing down the older home and starting over. Others do not want to invest the time, effort and money it takes to renovate an older home. In short, they want to purchase a new construction home.

With only two dozen home sites offered, interested home buyers are encouraged to visit elacora in The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach soon.

“What we have is a very unique and limited opportunity,” Robbins said. “This is a rare chance to build a brand new home from the ground up in a fabulous private club community.”

Known for its innovative designs and exceptional high quality construction, elacora at The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach offers inspired floor plans with abundant personalization options. The designs are well suited for a Florida lifestyle and feature gourmet kitchens with furniture-quality cabinetry and stainless steel appliances, designer bathrooms, spectacular outdoor living areas, and three-car garages. Homes are designed with the latest in technology and green building practices. For buyers looking to move-in this year, elacora has five homes underway that are targeted for completion starting late this summer.

Prospective buyers are encouraged to visit elacora at The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach to view the company’s available homes and its stunning designer-decorated Muirfield showhome furnished and decorated by Barbara Ondo Designs. elacora’s homes at The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach are priced starting from $549,900.

The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach features an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay, a tennis center with seven Har-Tru® tennis courts and a private beach club that is a 10-minute bike ride from the front gate. For more information, call (904) 484-9023 or visit www.elacora.com.

When there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved – not only in sports but in the business of real estate.

Bart Snow with Realtor Bill Irwin of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices’ Ponte Vedra Beach office

As Bart and Susan Snow recently discovered, teamwork makes a difference especially when complex real estate transactions are involved. The Ponte Vedra couple wanted to sell their existing home before they purchased a new home, and they wanted the ability to close on their new home the same day to simplify the moving process and only have to move once.

The Snows were able to accomplish their goals with the stellar team at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty. They worked with Realtor Bill Irwin of the company’s Ponte Vedra Beach office who successfully helped to coordinate their time sensitive dual closings with the assistance of Mike Hendrickson of EverBank and Marie Boero of Gibraltar Title Services.

“Bill worked incredibly hard for us and everything worked out great,” Susan Snow said. “He was able to coordinate both closings in the same office on the same day and it made for a very smooth transition. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices goes above and beyond for their buyers and sellers, and we were very impressed and extremely happy with the way our transactions worked out.”

Shannon Sallas holding Parker, Daren Sallas, Realtor Nicole Sherman of the Mandarin/St. Johns office, Ken Jones of EverBank and Tammy Krizman of Gibraltar Title Services

Homebuyers Daren and Shannon Sallas also valued and appreciated Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices’ positive team approach. The Sallas recently closed on a home in World Golf Village, and they credit Realtor Nicole Sherman and her team, which included Ken Jones of EverBank and Tammy Krizman of Gibraltar Title Services, for doing everything possible to ensure a smooth transaction. Daren Sallas even gave the team kudos on his Facebook page.

“I envisioned buying a foreclosed home was going to be a miserable process – a lot like buying a used car,” Daren Sallas said. “Nicole and Ken did a great job, and made everything smooth and easy. They did everything to get the job done and expedited as quickly as possible.”

There are numerous stories like this involving Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices customers and the advantages of working with the company’s Realtors and family of services approach.

“Our motto is to Have High Expectations™ and always create an enhanced client experience. We work very hard to live up to it,” said Broker/Executive Vice President Christy Budnick. “We see the benefit in forging valuable industry partnerships that allow us to integrate all of the elements of the transaction into a seamless real estate experience. Our close working relationships are with people we know and trust, and our full service approach helps us create customers for life.”

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Realtors are trusted advisors and valued business resources – it is what differentiates the company from the market competition.

“Our approach offers the advantage of allowing our clients to draw on the resources and expertise of our knowledgeable and valued partners,” said Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty Founder, President and CEO Linda Sherrer. “We like to exceed expectations and our family of services approach creates an unparalleled customer experience.”

Seeking an enhanced client experience? Turn to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty. Connect with the best at www.FloridaNetworkRealty.com.

An effective online presence is key to business success.

To learn more, the Northeast Florida Builders Association and Web.com are hosting a free Lunch & Learn event on Wednesday, July 22, at the NEFBA Office.

The event will begin at noon and lunch will be provided. The free program will cover topics including custom website and pay-per-click campaign.

Web.com, which offers a full range of Internet services, has helped more than 3 million small businesses succeed online. NEFBA serves the construction and associated industries in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties.

To register for the program, contact Michelle Glass at [email protected].

Save the date! Native Sun Natural Foods Market plans to open its Jacksonville Beach location on Friday, Sept. 4. The new store is located at the corner of 3rd Street and 15th Avenue North in Jacksonville Beach.

“The location was an easy choice for the new store because of the passion for healthy living that already exists within the beaches community,” said Native Sun owner Aaron Gottlieb about his decision to bring Native Sun to Jacksonville Beach.

For Native Sun, healthy living is about achieving balance. As Jacksonville’s local organic grocer, that balance starts with proper nutrition and expands to include anything that encourages a healthy mind and body. It’s an inclusive approach to health that has made Native Sun a go-to destination for those looking for simple, great-tasting options for any diet or eating occasion. Whether it’s with the perfect post-workout snack or with hot take-home meals for those in a hurry, Native Sun makes healthy eating easy, accessible and delicious.

The company works hard to support the needs and interests of those living and working in the communities surrounding its stores. It is currently supporting the Beaches Green Market, which is held from 2 to 5 p.m. every Saturday at Jarboe Park in Neptune Beach.

When it opens, the beaches store will introduce the community to a local business that shares its excitement for all aspects of a healthy lifestyle. It will also bring over 50 jobs to the area, hiring for which has already begun. Those interested in applying should visit Native Sun’s website, nativesunjax.com, for a list of current open positions.

To connect with the latest updates on the construction and hiring process for the beaches store, follow Native Sun on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or on the company’s blog.