Advertise on podcast: This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition

In this episode of This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition, Kent Justice talks with Jeff Bacon, CEO of Unisun Sports, about the new media-rights agreement bringing the Atlantic Sun Conference and United Athletic Conference together under one strategy with ESPN. The ASUN includes Jacksonville University and the University of North Florida. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After nearly 12 years leading Downtown Vision, CEO Jake Gordon is preparing to step away from the role. Gordon reflects on downtown Jacksonville’s transformation since 2015, including billions of dollars in investment, expanded programming, new public spaces, social services and the growth of the Downtown Ambassador Team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition, Kent Justice talks with Darby McLean, CEO of Spiceology, about how chef-driven food brands are reshaping the grocery aisle. McLean explains how restaurants serve as testing grounds for new flavors, how social media and e-commerce accelerate product development, and why local chefs can inspire products with national potential. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jacksonville’s continued growth is driving new investment in multifamily housing, including Mesa Capital Partners’ acquisition of Satori Town Center near St. Johns Town Center. In this episode, host Kent Justice talks with Mesa President and COO Paul Berry about why Northeast Florida remains attractive to investors, how proximity to major employers, retail, downtown and the beaches shapes renter demand, and what Mesa looks for in a Class A apartment community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Citi is one of Jacksonville’s biggest private employers—nearly 4,000 people—and Kent Justice sits down with Ed Skyler, who leads Citi Enterprise Services’ Public Affairs work, to ask what Citi’s “long-term commitment” actually means. Skylar points to a strong business climate, a deep talent pipeline (dozens of universities within 150 miles), and a hybrid model designed around flexibility and collaboration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ember and Iron is growing — and Kent Justice sits down with owners Chef Michael Cooney and Brittany Cooney to talk about what’s driving that expansion and what it takes to scale a local restaurant brand without losing what made it work in the first place. The couple explains why they chose historic downtown St. Augustine for a flagship-style location, how they think about balancing tourists vs. locals, and why culture and training matter as much as the menu. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kent Justice talks with Cheyenne LeMaire of Chang Robotics and the Chang Robotics Fund about what it takes to build—and fund—a startup in Jacksonville. They preview the Jacksonville Venture Competition on Aug. 19 at The Link (Nocatee), where six local startups pitch live in a “Shark Tank-esque” format, with speakers and networking. LeMaire explains how companies are selected, what judges prioritize (founder confidence, growth potential, and “investable” paperwork), and how the Fund’s due diligence works. They also dig into what Jacksonville’s startup ecosystem does well, what’s still missing—especially capital and mentorship—and what success would look like if more investors “band together” to support local founders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Duval County budget season approaching, Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville CEO Diana Donovan joins host Kent Justice to explain what proposed cuts to arts and culture funding could mean beyond museums and performances—impacting jobs, small businesses, youth programs, and services for veterans and military families. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kent Justice tackles a question a lot of HOA homeowners are asking after the “Hammocks” case in South Florida: could HOA fraud happen here — and would anyone catch it in time? Kent’s guest is Marc Rodriguez, EVP of Market Operations at RealManage, who breaks down how financial oversight can fail inside volunteer-run boards, what practical controls can stop fraud before it starts, and how technology can add real transparency for both board members and homeowners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kent Justice talks with Adam Butcher, North Florida area manager for PCL Construction, about the visible—and less visible—economic impact of Jacksonville’s downtown/riverfront buildout. Butcher explains PCL’s growing local presence, why One Tower Court is a signal that Shipyards redevelopment is “real,” and how multiple anchor projects (including the Four Seasons) create an ecosystem that attracts more investment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jacksonville University College of Law Founding Dean Nick Allard joins Kent Justice to explain how JU built a brand-new downtown law school in just a few years—and why it matters for Jacksonville’s growth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hurricane season is here, and FPL spokesperson Kam Eppinger says preparation is a year-round effort focused on reliability: hardening poles and equipment, aggressive vegetation management, and a data-driven push to underground neighborhood lines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Jacksonville University prepares for a leadership transition, outgoing President Tim Cost joins Kent Justice for a candid conversation about his legacy, the future of higher education, and the university's role as an economic engine for Northeast Florida. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kent Justice talks with Dr. Carlton Robinson, Chief Innovation Officer at the Jax Chamber, about how Jacksonville can stay competitive as AI shifts from buzzword to workplace reality. Robinson explains why the Chamber launched its new Center for Applied Infrastructure—framing “human-centered AI” as the next kind of public infrastructure—and why the goal is augmentation, not replacement: identifying what must remain human-led and using AI to remove friction in everyday work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jacksonville entrepreneur Eun Cho shares how he went from Wall Street fund manager to co-founding Haymaker Coffee Company in 2021 - and why the brand is built around hard work, perseverance, and community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices