Davis College Newsroom

For nearly 34 years, Jacksonville has benefited from the presence and leadership of a seasoned professional whose journey from the Panhandle to Northeast Florida has been marked by a unique blend of practical financial acumen and academic excellence.

 A native of Fort Walton Beach, Steve Kelley, a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) graduate in the Davis College of Business and Technology, was among the first business doctoral cohort at Jacksonville University. Earning his MBA from the University of West Florida, his initial role as a credit analyst at Barnett Bank launched a career that would eventually help shape the future of Downtown Jacksonville.

Today, he serves as the director of Downtown Real Estate and Development at the Downtown Investment Authority (DIA), where he works directly with investors and developers to bring transformative projects to life. From local dining establishments like Southern Grounds and Pour Taproom to major developments like the Four Seasons Hotel and the ambitious Pearl Square project, his role involves negotiating incentive packages, underwriting financial returns to the city, and guiding deals through city processes, including the City Council.

In an inspiring example of combining education with service, students from Jacksonville University's Davis College of Business and Technology teamed up with local nonprofits, creating a positive impact for both their own learning and the surrounding community.

Three student teams in Dr. Jim Simak’s Business Management Capstone class worked closely with local nonprofits Diaper Bank of Northeast Florida, Jax Jets Hockey Club and Project Restore Ministries to enhance their organization's operations and outreach.

These partnerships, part of the "Business for Social Good" initiative led by Simak, a JU assistant professor of Management and Entrepreneurship, have yielded significant benefits for both the students and the community.​