Penny Dickerson

Sep 10, 2023 | bizjournals.com | Penny Dickerson

The owners of the rapidly expanding Players Grill plan to launch a speakeasy-style bar on the Southbank in the former American Cancer Center building on Prudential Drive. The building has most recently served as the headquarters of We Insure, the fast-growing insurance company Phil Visali founded more than a decade ago. We Insure, which was purchased by insurance technology company PEAK6 InsurTech in 2021, will vacate that space in December.

Sep 7, 2023 | bizjournals.com | Penny Dickerson

The Cathedral Arts Project recently announced the appointment of two new leaders in order to facilitate its growth plans. Doug Walker was named vice president of philanthropy and began his new role Sept. 5. Jessie Brabender also will join the team as director of leadership giving on Oct. 2. Walker will lead the organization’s fundraising initiatives.

Sep 6, 2023 | bizjournals.com | Penny Dickerson

John Hirabayashi, CEO and president of Community First Credit Union is retiring from his post in 2024 but sees the transition as an era of new beginnings. During his 28 years of leadership, the 65-year-old has led the credit union through exponential growth that now includes 19 branch locations serving more than 171,000 members with more than $2.7 billion in assets. It is one of Florida’s largest credit unions.

Sep 6, 2023 | bizjournals.com | Penny Dickerson

After 28 years at the helm of the First Coast's second-largest credit union, John Hirabayashi will be stepping down from Community First Credit Union. Hirabayashi joined the credit union as CEO in 1996 when he came to Jacksonville to lead what was then known as Educational Community Credit Union, which had $200 million in assets, 44,000 members and seven branches. As of June, the credit union had $2.7 billion in assets, 171,000 members and 19 locations.

Aug 29, 2023 | bizjournals.com | Penny Dickerson

Well known St. Augustine chef Brian Whittington has grown a following with his artisan butcher shop with plans to expand throughout St. Johns County. This summer be opened the second Chop Shop location in SilverLeaf. Additional shops in Nocatee and Durbin are scheduled to open over the next three years.   Whittington, the business manager and executive chef of the operation, opened the flagship Chop Shop on Anastasia Island in 2018.