Advisory Board

Ron Autrey is Chairman of Miller Electric Company; a 90 year old Jacksonville based electrical construction firm. He served on Florida's State Licensing Board, and the National Electrical Contractor's Board. Ron is a licensed electrical contractor and general contractor in many Southeastern and Mid-Western States. Ron is a past Chairman of the Jacksonville University Board of Trustees, where he also received an honorary Doctorate of Business & Commerce. He is past Chairman of numerous other non-profit boards including the Jax Chamber, and NE Florida's United Way Campaign. He was a founding member of the Jax Civic Council and served on the Boards of the Cummer Museum, JCCI, Boy Scouts Executive Advisory Board, MS advisory Board, and the First Coast Manufacturer's Association. Ron and his wife Hilah are lifelong Jacksonville residents and currently reside in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

Jennie Busey is a longtime leader in Jacksonville’s maritime community and serves on the Advisory Board for the Jacksonville University Marine Science Research Institute. With decades of experience in marina operations and waterfront management, she is widely recognized for her leadership at Sadler Point Marina, where she helped oversee one of Northeast Florida’s premier full-service marinas and boating destinations.

Busey has been an active advocate for the recreational boating industry, waterfront stewardship, and marine-related economic development throughout the Jacksonville region. Her extensive knowledge of marina management, customer relations, and coastal operations brings valuable industry perspective to the Institute’s mission of advancing marine science research, education, and community engagement.

Carter Bryan was born in Jacksonville, Florida on January 19, 1945. He attended local schools and graduated from Robert E Lee High School in 1963.

He started his career with Independent Life as a debit agent in 1966 and then joined the ordinary department in sales and then became a manager. He has won many awards for his sales success including life time member of the Million Dollar Round Table. He started Independent Marketing Group in the mid 80's. In 1995 he started Physicians Advantage a company that protected physician's personal assets. In 2009 he and three partners started Med Mal Direct Insurance Co. which is now the largest direct write medical malpractice insurance company in the nation. He served as Chairman of the Board until his retirement in January 2015. In 1966 he joined the Army Reserves and served as an operating room technician for his six year commitment. Carter has served on many boards including Jacksonville National Bank, American Enterprise Bank,Independent Life Insurance Co. and currently Wolfson Children's Hospital. In his community activities he has served on boards that he felt he could make a difference. He has had a life time commitment to the American Cancer Society where he is currently a Life Time Member of the Board. He was unit president and Chairman of the Florida Division Board. He has filled just about every position as a volunteer. He has also served on the United Way Board, Episcopal Child Day Care Center, Pace, Child Guidance Clinic, and Jacksonville Commodores League for over 24 years and Commodore for 2 years, and Jacksonville Marine Institute board for 20 years and president for two years.

He was appointed to the Jacksonville Waterways Commission and served for 20 years. He was past Chairman of the St Vincent's Community Advisory board.

He is a member of the Florida Yacht Club, The River Club, and Meninak Club. He and his wife Cheryl are serving as co-chairs emeritus of the Hope Lodge fund raising committee for the American Cancer Society and co-chairs of the St Vincent's Hospital De Paul Society.

He married his high school sweetheart Cheryl Langston in 1967 and has three children and eight wonderful grandchildren. Carter and Cheryl enjoy being with their children and grandchildren and traveling on cruise ships. They have a home in the Bahamas and they spend their time either on, in or under the water. Carter also enjoys woodworking.

As head of Crowley's corporate communications, my role involves strategizing and executing comprehensive external and internal communications that resonate across U.S. and international markets. The impact of our digital, multi-channel communications has been pivotal in supporting the multi-billion dollar enterprise's growth and enhancing our reputation.

With expertise including media relations, executive leadership communications and employee communication strategies, my approach incorporates innovative digital storytelling, from social media to video production, through a team-first approach aligning empowerment and accountability. This not only strengthens our brand but also fosters a transparent, engaged culture. Our team's collaborative efforts have notably improved external and internal communications, positioning us as a leader in the logistics and supply chain sector.

Roger Elsas retired in 2008 and moved to Ponte Vedra Beach, following a 39 year career on Wall Street, at LF Rothschild, Lehman Brothers and Oppenheimer. In 2011, he was asked to join Drexel Hamilton an upstart veteran investment bank in NYC, with a mission to hire veterans who had served in combat from 9/11 and a focus on disabled veterans, to develop their capital markets business. Roger, having served in the Navy and having a passion for veterans, joined Drexel Hamilton and is their Vice Chairman. He is a former board member of Monmouth Medical Center in NJ and former board member of Sawgrass Country Club.

W.C. Gentry is a graduate of Duval County public schools. He received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida College of Law in 1971 and for over forty years has handled trials and appeals in complex litigation, including constitutional issues. Mr. Gentry has been named one of America's Leading Trial Lawyers by several national and state publications and has been profiled as one of Florida's "Top Trial Lawyers" by Florida Trend Magazine.During his career, he has used his legal skills to serve the community, including helping establish Jacksonville's first Ethics Commission, leading a community/legal initiative to eliminate the City's historic odor problem and successfully representing the Florida Senate in constitutional challenges to legislation that improved education funding to Duval County.

Mr. Gentry served on the State of Florida Council on Education Policy, Research and Improvement (CEPRI) and was Chairman, 2004-06. In 2007, he was appointed by the Mayor of Jacksonville to Chair the Education Committee of the "Jacksonville Journey" to deal with crime and served on the initial Jacksonville Journey Oversight Committee. From 2008-12, Chair 2010-11, Mr. Gentry served on the Duval County School Board. Most recently (2016-18), he chaired the revitalized Jax Journey and presently chairs the Subcommittee on Education and Youth Development of the Jacksonville Task Force on Safety and Crime Reduction.

He is a founding Director and past Chair of the Schultz Center for Teaching and Leadership and presently serves on the Board. He also serves on the Board of the Sulzbacher Center and chaired the capital campaign for the Center for Women and Families. Mr. Gentry is a Board Certified Trial Lawyer and Mediator and continues to selectively handle litigation matters.

A Marine Science graduate from Jacksonville University, Larkin Johansen is a conservation and wildlife professional with experience spanning zoological animal care, field research, nonprofit operations, and organizational leadership. She currently serves as an Administrative Officer for the Okapi Conservation Project, supporting international conservation initiatives focused on protecting the endangered okapi and preserving the biodiversity of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Okapi Wildlife Reserve in the Ituri Rainforest.

Larkin previously held a Senior Bird Keeper title at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, where she specialized in animal husbandry, training, incubation, and behavioral management. Her background includes expertise in telemetry, environmental monitoring, SCUBA operations, and wildlife fieldwork, bringing a multidisciplinary perspective to conservation and research initiatives.

Passionate about advancing wildlife conservation through collaboration, science, and public outreach, Larkin is dedicated to supporting programs that connect education and research, sustainability, and global biodiversity protection.

Dr. Steve Kelley currently serves as Vice President of Community Development Lending and Investing for TIAA Bank following more than twenty-five years in the financial services industry with regional and national responsibilities in diverse leadership roles. Kelley received his Doctor of Business Administration from Jacksonville University Davis College of Business & Technology, and he is also professor of Finance, Accounting, and Economics for the Keller Graduate School of Management at DeVry University. Steve is active in the Jacksonville community, serving on boards and committees for Junior Achievement of North Florida, NW Jacksonville CDC, Cathedral District-Jax, United Way of Northeast Florida, and the Urban Land Institute (ULI), in addition to his role with Jacksonville University's Marine Science Research Institute. His wife Virginia "Ginny" is a nurse at Mayo Clinic; he has two daughters (Maddie and Erin) and three stepsons (Tommy, Danny, and Jack). He is originally from Ft. Walton Beach in Florida's panhandle where his passion for boating and water sports centered his interest in marine ecology and its effects on local economies.

Primrose oversees the port’s regulatory compliance in the areas of maritime law, environmental policy, safety and risk management. He also serves as JAXPORT’s liaison with the Jacksonville City Council’s Special Committee on Resiliency and the City of Jacksonville’s Office of General Counsel. Primrose is an experienced public policy professional and licensed attorney. Prior to joining JAXPORT, he served as Deputy General Counsel for Florida Governors Ron DeSantis and Rick Scott, and General Counsel for the State of Florida’s Division of Emergency Management. In these positions, he provided oversight and regulatory strategy on transportation, emergency preparedness, the economy, and other matters impacting the people of Florida. Primrose is a member of the Florida Bar and holds a Juris Doctor from Barry University, a Master of Public Administration from DePaul University, and Bachelor of Arts degrees in political science and communications from Lake Forest College. In 2021, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Primrose Chairman of the Florida Elections Commission, a bipartisan group that enforces the state’s election code and campaign finance laws. He is also a member of Leadership Florida Connect Class 11 and a scholar of the American Enterprise Institute Leadership Network.

Bob Rhodes is an attorney and real estate consultant in Jacksonville, Florida. He is the former Executive Vice President of The St. Joe Company and also served as St. Joe's General Counsel. He held similar positions with Arvida Corporation and Disney Development Company. Earlier, he served as the first administrator of Florida's growth management program, as counsel to the speaker of the Florida House of Representatives and in the Washington, D.C. office of the Council of State Governments and National Governors Conference. Bob chaired state commissions that recommended revisions to Florida's growth management, wetlands protection and administrative procedure programs. He also chaired Jacksonville's Downtown Development Authority and Economic Development Commission, the Jacksonville Civic Council's Downtown Redevelopment Task Force, Northeast Florida's Regional Community Institute, and the Trust for Public Land's Northeast Florida Chapter.

Bob is a past chair of the Environmental and Land Use Law and Administrative Law Sections of the Florida Bar and served on the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Environmental Law. He is a member of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers and has been honored as the Jacksonville Daily Record's Lawyer of the Year. Bob is a graduate of Cal Berkeley and Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.

George became a Vistage Chair in 2002 after a thirty five year career in business leadership roles beginning his career with GE Plastics. He was General Manager of the Specialty Materials Division of Avery International headed SCM Corporation's Organic Chemicals Division. Hanson plc acquired SCM and promoted him to group executive with responsibility for three additional companies. He was elected to the board of Hanson plc and their U.S. subsidiary, Hanson Industries when he became Chairman of Quantum Chemicals. Hanson spun off Millennium Chemicals and George was named CEO of Millennium Specialty Chemicals and a member of the Board of Equistar Chemicals, LLP. He is one of the founders of the First Coast Manufacturers Association. He currently Chairs a Vistage Group, is on the Board of FCMA and leads FCMA's Manufacturing Executives Group. In 2012 Gov. Scott appointed him to the board of the St. Johns ​River Water Management District. He is President of The Association for Corporate Growth chapter and a member of the Mandarin Rotary Club and Sub-Deacon at Church of Our Saviour.

A native of Daytona Beach, Florida, David Strickland retired from EverBank in 2013 after 42 years in banking. He served in senior management positions at Trust Company of Georgia, Barnett Bank of Florida and EverBank, where he was the founding president and CEO. He is presently the chair and acting CEO of the Jacksonville Symphony, where he has been a Board member since 2012.

His other current activities include positions on the boards of the Jacksonville University Haskell Public Policy Institute and Marine Science Research Institute. He served as chairman of the World Affairs Council of Jacksonville from 2016 to 2018 and currently serves as its advisory council chair. Strickland's prior community and educational service includes being chair of Habitat for Humanity of Jacksonville, the North Florida Land Trust, the Youth Crisis Center Foundation and positions on the boards at Stetson University and the Coggin College of Business at the University of North Florida. He has degrees from Emory University, Rutgers University and the Harvard Business School.

Greg Strong was appointed District Director of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Northeast District in December 2005. Mr. Strong oversees all regulatory activities within the District's 19 counties. He is responsible for managing the implementation of environmental laws and regulations, the issuance of environmental permits and the performance of compliance and enforcement activities.

Mr. Strong has more than 15 years of environmental management experience in the aerospace, chemical and oil & gas industries. Before joining the Department, he worked in marketing for a Fortune 500 industrial manufacturer where he developed marketing strategies for environmental products sold to retail petroleum fueling companies. Before that, Mr. Strong was the Manager of Regulatory Affairs for an international specialty chemical manufacturer where he managed corporate regulatory compliance programs.

​Mr. Strong earned a B.S. degree from Florida State University, a J.D. degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law and an M.B.A. from the M.I.T. Sloan School of Management.

Stacy Watson May is a Consulting Counsel in Holland & Knight's Jacksonville office. She counsels a variety of industrial and commercial clients such as manufacturers, facility owners and developers with environmental compliance and enforcement actions across multiple states as well as at the federal and local levels. For these clients, she regularly negotiates reduced penalties with government agencies. Ms. Watson May assists in the design of corrective action plans and environmental management systems to meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), and hazardous materials handling and permitting matters.

Ms. Watson May handles civil and administrative litigation involving permit challenges, mining operations, cost recovery, indoor air quality issues, Legionnaires' disease and toxic torts.

For property owners and investors, Ms. Watson May handles litigation and transactions involving the purchase, sale and redevelopment of environmentally impacted properties. She pilots clients through the environmental due diligence of real estate and manufacturing operations in large mergers and acquisitions at the state, multistate and multinational levels. These deals often involve significant residential, commercial and condominium developments as well as condominium conversions. She also counsels lenders and developers regarding environmental concerns of foreclosed properties.

Ms. Watson May has completed the Florida supreme court training for Circuit Civil, Family, and County Mediations.

With three decades of experience spanning the practice of law and the government sector, Herschel Vinyard represents clients where regulatory issues, business and political concerns and legal questions intersect. Herschel is one of Florida’s preeminent authorities on state environmental law and policy.

Herschel works with clients on government affairs, environmental regulations, and permitting. He brings a creative approach to his work that helps projects move forward. As an example, Herschel has secured multiple innovative permits for waterfront, transportation, and industrial projects. He has also worked on governmental land swaps, Florida Cabinet matters, water policy, significant wetlands issues, and major residential developments, bringing an understanding of regulatory processes and business goals to the table to get deals done.  He also successfully navigates Florida's new 404 wetlands permitting program.