The Jacksonville Civic Council named business and civic leaders Gary Chartrand and David Miller to top leadership roles in the organization, the council announced Feb. 12.
Chartrand will chair JCC and Miller the JCC Foundation.
They will continue the group’s transition to become a more member-driven and transparent organization, a news release said.
Chartrand retired as CEO of Jacksonville-based Acosta Inc. in 2010 and as executive chair of its board in 2015. He succeeds First Coast YMCA CEO Eric Mann.
Miller, the cofounder of Brightway Insurance, replaces VyStar Credit Union CEO and President Brian Wolfburg. In 2022, Miller established the Together Strong Community Fund in response to public expressions of antisemitism and hate in Jacksonville.
Both will serve two-year terms.
“Gary and David have established themselves as two of Jacksonville’s most successful business leaders,” JCC CEO Dennis Whittle said in the release.
“Just as important, they are outstanding servant leaders in the community. I’m delighted to have them lead and engage our diverse team of business and civic leaders who are committed to JCC’s long-term vision of making Jacksonville a destination of choice for families, individuals, graduates and businesses.”
During his term, Mann led efforts to make the JCC more transparent to the broad community, developed a 10-year strategic plan and oversaw a nationwide CEO search that resulted in the recruitment of Dennis Whittle to lead the organization, Whittle said.
“Chartrand is the perfect leader to keep the momentum going by engaging our members fully in the mission,” he said.
Chartrand is the author of “Unreasonable Leadership,” a book about people who refuse to adapt to their surroundings and make progress, the release said.
“The Jacksonville Civic Council is comprised of around ninety unreasonable leaders who are unafraid to get out of their comfort zones and have much to contribute to making Jacksonville a world-class city,” Chartrand said. “To be successful, they have to be engaged in the goals of JCC.”
The JCC has no policy power, “but we have people power, and we will make sure our voice is heard on the issues we face and the future of our city,” he said.
As chair of the JCC Foundation, Miller will focus on funding that will develop strategies, research, and advocacy to execute a 20-year vision for Jacksonville.
“To be a world-class city, Jacksonville needs a long-term vision, something it has lacked,” Miller said in the release. “The Civic Council is uniquely positioned as a dedicated, active, and engaged team to lead Jacksonville long-term into a world-class future.”
Established in 2010, the Civic Council brings together chief executives from the nonprofit, business, education and health care sectors comprising more than 70 organizations.
A nonpartisan group of prominent business leaders, the organization’s goal is to help resolve community issues by studying a problem, proposing solutions, advocating for change and providing resources and support.