september 5th guest speaker: Terrance freeman
City Councilman At-Large Terrance Freeman
City Council Member Terrance Freeman, a principled leader and passionate advocate for Jacksonville, is a father of five and a dedicated husband. He currently serves as the Senior Program Manager of Workforce Development and Strategic Initiatives.
August 1st guest speaker: Aaron bean
CD-4 Congressman Aaron Bean
I am beyond proud to represent the people of Northeast Florida as the Congressman from District 4, serving Clay, Duval and Nassau Counties. In addition to serving in Congress, I’m a conservative businessman, a lifelong Republican, a husband and a father of three. I got into public service because my heart is devoted to serving my community and working hard for what I believe in, and I am honored to serve in our nation’s Capitol representing the people of Congressional District 4.
June 6th guest speaker: Clay Yarborough
State Senator Clay Yarborough
Clay Yarborough grew up in Northeast Florida, is a product of local public schools, and graduated from UNF with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. During college, he worked at UPS as a truck loader and was later promoted into the HR department. In his role as an HR Supervisor, Clay hired over 1,800 people into manual and professional positions. After 15 years with UPS, Clay accepted a position with First Coast Manufacturers Association and now works to strengthen our region’s manufacturing base and increase the number of good-paying jobs available to our residents.
Clay served eight years on the Jacksonville City Council and, in his final year, as president of the 19-member body. He then went on to serve six years in the Florida House of Representatives before being elected to the Florida Senate. The son of a public educator, Clay’s priorities include making our schools, communities, and state as safe as possible, supporting economic growth and development, defending innocent life and parents’ abilities to make educational choices for their children, and keeping Florida open, free, and an attractive place to live, work, and raise a family.
Clay and his wife, Jordan, have four boys: twin eleven-year-olds, a eight-year-old, and a five-year-old.
May 2nd, 2024 GUEST SPEAKER: T.K. waters
Jacksonville Sheriff
Following the loss of his cousin to a violent crime, T.K.’s career path was solidified as this incident made him realize his passion to serve and protect.
In 1991, T.K. joined the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office as a Correctional Officer. He later graduated from the Police Academy in August 1993.
T.K. has served in numerous capacities within the agency’s major departments of Patrol & Enforcement and Homeland Security & Investigations. He has demonstrated significant leadership with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in the following ways:
- Served as the Chief of the Investigations Division overseeing operations including, but not limited to Homicide, the Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC), Violent Crime, Violence Reduction, Firearms Laboratory, Special Assault, Missing Persons/Kidnappings, Officer Involved Shootings, Cold Cases, Traffic Homicides, Robbery, Burglary, Economic Crimes and Auto Crimes;
- Created the launch of the JSO’s Violence Reduction Strategy with a focus on Group Violence Intervention, an evidence-based strategy founded on the focused deterrence model;
- Met with more than 450 young men who were identified as group or gang members to help in finding the best ways to change their lives for the better.
As a Chief, T.K. was committed to establishing strong partnerships within the Jacksonville community and the National Network for Safe Communities. With the assistance of several key partners internally, as well as outside the agency, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office was able to expand its approach to addressing violent crime.
In July 2022, T.K. retired from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to run for Sheriff of Duval County.
In November 2022, the citizens of Duval County, Florida elected him to serve as the seventh Sheriff of Duval County since consolidation in 1968. Sheriff Waters was officially sworn in on Sunday, November 20, 2022, by outgoing Sheriff Pat Ivey.
During his administration, Sheriff Waters will be focused on making Jacksonville an even better place to live and raise a family. He plans to increase staffing levels; focus on violent criminals and gangs for prosecution; build trust through robust community outreach and engagement; make efficient and effective use of taxpayer dollars; and leverage new technology.
April 4th, 2024 GUEST SPEAKER: Ron salem
Jacksonville City Council President, At-Large - Group 2
Ronald B. Salem, Pharm. D., is currently the President of Salem & Associates, a company that provides consulting services in the pharmaceutical industry. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1978 and Doctor of Pharmacy in 1980 from the University of Florida.
Dr. Salem has also been active locally, serving as Chairman of the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Better Jacksonville Plan under Mayor John Delaney, Chairman of the Greater Arlington Citizens Planning and Advisory Committee (CPAC) for two years, as well as, being appointed to the Jacksonville Sports and Entertainment Board from 1999-2013 serving as Chairman on four different occasions.
During his tenure on the Jacksonville City Council, Dr. Salem has served on the Finance Committee for four years, once as chair. He has served on the Transportation, Energy and Utilities Committee, once as Vice Chair and once as Chair and the Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and Safety Committee once as Vice Chair. Dr. Salem has served the community in several other capacities as well while on City Council. He has served as Chair of the Special Committee on the Opioid Epidemic and the Opioid Abuse Prevention Committee, Special Committee on Social Justice and Community Investment and in a liaison role for the Jacksonville Port Authority, Tree Commission, and Tourist Development Council. He served as Vice President of the City Council for the 2022-2023 year and is President for the 2023-2024 year.
Dr. Salem is married to the former Nancy Hanania and has three children and six grandchildren.
march 7th, 2024 GUEST SPEAKER: nick howland
Jacksonville City Council Member, At-Large - Group 3
Nick Howland is a Navy veteran, businessman, husband, and father.
After earning his bachelor’s degree at Duke University in 1995, Nick served in the U.S. Navy on guided missile destroyer USS CHANDLER and at Naval Special Warfare riverine unit SBU-22. After the Navy, he earned his MBA at the University of Chicago and joined defense systems manufacturer, Raytheon Company. Nick has been an executive in the defense industry for more than 20 years, focused on marine and defense survival products. In January 2007, he relocated his family to Jacksonville for body armor manufacturer Armor Holdings, Inc. He has since had subsequent roles as Managing Director of Survitec Group, President of Revere Survival, President of Patten Company, and director on various local and international corporate boards.
On City Council, Nick currently serves as the Chairman of the Finance Committee and is a member of the Transportation, Energy and Utilities Committee. Previously, he served on the Rules Committee, the Land Use and Zoning Committee and was Chairman of the Jacksonville Waterways Commission. Prior to his election to City Council, Nick had served in a variety of civic positions, including the City of Jacksonville’s Charter Revision Commission, the Environmental Protection Board, and the First Coast Manufacturers Association (FCMA) board. In 2019 he was appointed by the Secretary of Homeland Security to the U.S. Coast Guard’s Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee.
Currently, Nick is the Executive Director of The Fire Watch, Florida’s fight to end veteran suicide, and a consultant to various marine and defense companies. He and his wife Malou are raising two teenage boys, both of whom attend Duval County public schools.Church of San Marco.
road tip to TALLahassee! you're invited!
Thursday February 22, 2024
Hello Patriots!
Here is an opportunity to go to Tallahassee and visit the state capitol!
This event is hosted by the North Jax Republican Club.
The trip will include meeting with our local elected officials and viewing a law making session.
The plan is to leave from Lowe's parking lot in River City shopping center @6:30 am, via a van.
If needed, a second van pick up point would be at Rowes IGA, 6865 Dunn Ave @6:50 am.
Our return is estimated to be 6:00 pm.
A $10 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your seat.
Lunch will be provided by our Representative Dean Black.
Deposits can be paid by using our web site: www.northjaxgop.com
Use the DONATION link at the bottom of the home page.
february 1, 2024 GUEST SPEAKER: Chris miller
Jacksonville City Council Member, At-Large - Group 5
Chris Miller is a husband, Army veteran and servant leader who is proud to call Jacksonville home.
Chris served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army for 30 years. His key assignments included leading Army Recruiting for Jacksonville, serving as the city mayor and city manager for 17 Army bases while managing a $333M budget over a 4,000 square mile area of Germany, serving as the Inspector General for U.S. forces throughout Europe and Israel on behalf of the U.S. European Command Commander/Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, and his last Army position was as the Inspector General for the state of Florida with the Florida National Guard. Chris retired as a full Colonel in 2014.
Chris’ education includes a bachelor’s degree in industrial relations from Clarion University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Business Administration in management from Golden Gate University and a master's degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College. He also completed the NATO Senior Officer’s Course at the NATO Defense College.
Since retiring from the Army, Chris has helped various small businesses, nonprofit organizations and churches throughout the Jacksonville area.
Chris currently serves as District Director for U.S. Representative John Rutherford (FL-05), Jacksonville’s former Sheriff, where he and his team have helped thousands of people throughout northern Florida resolve their cases with federal agencies for over six years. His wife Char works with Operation New Uniform, a nonprofit that helps military members, veterans, and their spouses successfully transition to meaningful business careers.
Chris and Char enjoy living in Riverside with their two dogs, Baron, and Pearl. They volunteer for various nonprofits, take long walks throughout the city, ride their motorcycles whenever possible, and are members of Aspire Church of San Marco.
January 4, 2024 GUEST speaker: Toney Sleiman
Toney Sleiman has been working as a Chief Executive Officer at Sleiman Enterprises for 22 years. Sleiman Enterprises is part of the Real Estate industry.
Sleiman Enterprises is one of Florida's largest privately held real estate companies, owning and managing more than 5-million square feet of retail space in Florida and the southeast United States. The 67-year-old company
November 2, 2023 Guest Speakers
Laurie Santana, Chief of Transportation Planning
Greer Johnson Gillis, JTA Senior Vice President / Chief Infrastructure & Development Officer
Greer Johnson Gillis, JTA Senior Vice President / Chief Infrastructure & Development Officer
I am a Transportation Planner and supervisor. I have worked for both private industry and public service to help plan and design lasting community developments for the past 34 years. I was responsible for the Mobility Element of Concurrency and Mobility Management System for the City of Jacksonville, Florida. I worked to develop the multi-modal transportation analysis, ordinance drafting and implementation of the new City of Jacksonville 2030 Mobility Plan resulting from the most recent SB 360 requirements.
Transportation Planning Division
I also worked to help create sustainable transportation solutions for Maricopa County, Arizona, the most populous county in the state.
Specialties:
- Transportation Planning
- Community Planning
- Concurrency Analysis
- Comprehensive Planning for Transportation and Capital Improvements Elements
- GIS NERPM Modeling
- Signing and Pavement Marking Design
- Traffic Operations Analysis
- Traffic Impact Analysis
- Trip Generation Studies
Greer Johnson Gillis, JTA Senior Vice President / Chief Infrastructure & Development Officer
Greer Johnson Gillis, JTA Senior Vice President / Chief Infrastructure & Development Officer
Greer Johnson Gillis, JTA Senior Vice President / Chief Infrastructure & Development Officer
Greer Johnson Gillis is a senior vice president and Chief Infrastructure & Development Officer for the JTA. During her 29-year career, Ms. Gillis has implemented sustainable policies, managed large-scale infrastructure projects, and advocated for diversity within the engineering, energy, and construction industries.
Ms. Gillis oversees the System Development Division and is responsible for the following departments: Automation & Innovation; Construction & Engineering; Planning & Sustainability; Facilities Management & Transit Amenities; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging; and the Capital Projects Office. Ms. Gillis joined the JTA in April 2020. In her first months at the JTA, Ms. Gillis established the JTA's Capital Projects Office to focus on efficient project delivery, the Sustainability Program Office to elevate sustainability and resiliency initiatives throughout the agency, and initiated the first phase of the Authority's strategic planning efforts.
In 2014, Ms. Gillis was honored by President Obama and U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx as a White House Champion of Change: Transportation Ladders of Opportunity for her efforts in expanding diversity in the engineering industry. In 2017, she was honored by the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) with the Women Who Move the Nation Local Government Award. In 2022, Ms. Gillis was honored with the COMTO Thomas G. Newsom Founders' Leadership Award, which is the highest award given by the organization. It honors transportation executives and policymakers who have contributed to the growth and development of people of color within their organization. In 2008, she was appointed by the interim director of District (DC) Department of Transportation to serve as the city's transportation lead for the 2009 presidential inauguration.
Prior to serving at the JTA, Ms. Gillis held several executive positions in the District of Columbia Government, including commissioner on the Public Service Commission, director of the DC Department of General Services, and deputy director of the District Department of Transportation. She also has many years of private-sector experience working for several engineering companies.
Ms. Gillis is an active member of the Women's Transportation Seminar NE Florida Chapter and serves as the 1st Vice President of the COMTO Jacksonville Chapter. She is also a steering committee member of Elevate Women NE Florida, the City of Jacksonville's Better Jacksonville Plan Finance and Project Administration Committees, and a member of the Jacksonville' Women Network. She is a graduate of Leadership Jacksonville Class of 2022, and a graduate of the 2022 Eno Center for Transportation's Senior Executive Program.
- Ms. Gillis holds a Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, and a Master's of Science degree in civil engineering with a concentration in transportation, both from the Georgia Institute of Technology. She is a licensed professional engineer in Virginia and Washington, DC.
October 5th, 2023 Guest speakers
Mike Muldoon ran for election to the Jacksonville City Council to represent District 9 in Florida. He lost in the general runoff election on May 16th, 2023. In District 9, Mike the only Republican running against five Democrats, including the incumbent, has shot out of the gate, raising more money than his rivals combined, helped by the support of some of the most prominent names in Jacksonville. Muldoon has been a Jacksonville resident for more than 30 years, working as a Certified Public Account before retiring as the managing partner of Jacksonville’s largest public accounting firm, where he presided over $45 million in revenues while growing the staff by 60 percent.
Jennifer Casey was a member of the Duval Soil and Water Conservation District in Florida, representing Group 3. She assumed office in 2019. She left office on January 3, 2023. Casey ran for election to the Jacksonville City Council to represent District 2 in Florida. She lost in the general election on March 21st, 2023. Casey earned an M.A. in instructional design and technology and a B.A. in political science from the University of Central Florida. She began teaching at Jacksonville school in 2011.
Cierra Fackler Candidate and Records Director at the Duval county Supervisor of Elections Office will share upcoming elections schedule and any new information regarding the county elections office.
Historical Information
September, 2023 Meeting - Capri Diner
Congressman Aaron Bean presented at the September meeting. Congressman Bean reviewed the current status of things in Washington where gridlock remains with a small majority in congress and a small margin in the Senate. Congressman Bean remains confident that the small Republican Majority will remain united as they work toward finalizing the 2024 budget.
Host facility, Capri Diner
August, 2023 Meeting - Capri Diner
The North Jax Republican Club hosted Ashton Hanigan, Regional Field Director for Senator Marco Rubio. Ashton provided some updates form Senator Rubio's office that included his work on Chinese influence, energy independence… to name a few. We also held workshops to determine how the club can help in the upcoming Presidential election. Debbie Plotts regional aid for Representative Dean Black shared some information from Dean Black's office and she was also available for questions. City Council member Mike Gay also attended, Mike provided some updates form City Hall and he also took time to thank everyone for their help in his successful election.
Invocation and Benediction Rev. Joshua Warren CEO of premiumtvn.com
Pledge Wayne Milner, Vietnam Veteran.
Host facility, Capri Diner
July, 2023 Meeting - Capri Diner
The North Jax Republican Club hosted Ron Salem, President of the Jacksonville City Council. Dr Salem shared his priorities for the new city council as well as the challenges that are ahead. In addition Debbie Plotts regional aid for Representative Dean Black shared some information from Dean Black's office and she was also available for questions. City Council at large member Chris Miller also attended and he did take time to thank everyone for their help in his successful election.
Invocation and Benediction Phil Ward, pastor River Church 1820 Monument Rd.
Pledge Wayne Milner, Vietnam Veteran.
Host facility, Capri Diner
June, 2023 Meeting - Capri Diner
The North Jax Republican Club hosted Florida State Senator Clay Yarborough and Florida State House Representative Dean Black. Clay and Dean were able to provide additional clarity to the lates achievements in the latest legislative session.
· Invocation and Benediction Phil Ward, pastor River Church 1820 Monument Rd.
· Pledge Wayne Milner, Vietnam Veteran.
· Host facility, Capri Diner
May, 2023 Meetiing - Capri Diner
The North Jax Republican Club hosted Daniel Davis our Republican nominee for Jacksonville Mayor. Daniel Davis will joined our meeting to share his vision for Jacksonville
- Invocation and Benediction Jason Fischer Republican nominee for Duval County Property Appraiser Fischer was a member of the Florida House of Representatives, representing District 16.
- Pledge Adam Brandon esq.
- Capri Diner
April, 2023 Meeting - Capri Diner
- Candidates attended to share their vision Mike Muldoon City Council, Mike Gay City Council district 8, Chris Miller City council At Large seat 5 and Peret Pass and TJ Ward presented on behalf of Daniel Davis
- Invocation and Benediction Councilmen Kevin Carrico
- Pledge Adam Brandon esq.
- Capri Diner
March, 2023 Meeting - Capri Diner
- Candidates forum: Moderators Jerry Holland and Rev. Ray Pringle
- Invocation: Chaplin Kirby 125th FANG
- Thank you to the candidates: Al Ferraro, Frank Keasler, Danny Becton, Jason Fisher, Chris Miller, Lindsay Brock, Jennifer Casey, Mike Gay
- Pledge Jerry Holland
February, 2023 Meeting - Capri Diner
- Guest Speaker: Scott Thomas and Ginger Soud our state committeeman and committeewomen presented how they represent Duval county in the state GOP, they also discussed how the party operates and how things get done. The purpose of our discussion was to to better understand the role and how we can partner with the state committee members to drive positive, conservative ideas in our state government.
- Invocation Rev Rick Hurst, Deacon North Jacksonville Baptist Church
- Pledge: Officer Ford, leader Jacksonville Sherrifs office
- Host: Fred Gardner Host, Capri Diner
January, 2023 Meeting - Capri Diner
- Guest Speaker: Adam Brandon, Commander retired, discussion on the US Constitution and how current events have impacted the Constitution and our government function.
- Invocation: LT Commander Shawn Bootsma Chaplin
- Pledge: Fred Gardner Host, Capri Diner
December, 2022 Meeting - Dreamers Hall
- Our December meeting was a time to celebrate Christmas, Many thanks for Tammy and Steve Brown for sharing their Dreamers location where everyone enjoyed good food, musice and friends.
November, 2022 Meeting - New Berlin Fish House
- Guest Speaker: Clay Yarborough, Florida House of Representatives Tips on running a successful campaign
- Invocation: Friends of Gideons representative
- Pledge: David Dean Retired Navy Chief and Math teacher
October, 2022 Meeting - New Berlin Fish House
- Guest Speaker: Danny Becton - Jacksonville City Councilman Running a successful campaign
- Additional Speaker: Terrance Freeman - City Council President -Campaign success and what works
- Invocation: Pastor Lyle Sheferdek, Believers Joy Worship Center
- Pledge: David Dean Retired Navy Chief and Math teacher