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SOUTH COUNCIL LUNCHEON WITH EUNICE MATHIS, MSN, RN

Eunice Mathis is a native of Jacksonville, Florida, who is passionate about patient advocacy, student success, affordable education, and entrepreneurship.
In addition to being a master's-prepared Registered Nurse, Eunice is the owner of Florida Training Academy which is a career and workforce training company. She also serves as a Senior Training Center Faculty Member for the American Heart Association and a Training Center Coordinator for the American Safety and Health Institute. As such, Eunice's roles allow her the opportunity to provide emergency and safety training services to diverse groups globally.
More importantly, Eunice is a single mother to a wonderful son named Jaylen. Her favorite activities include spending time with Jaylen, walking along our city's beautiful waterways, spending time with family, and contributing to the success of others.

Jill Langford Dame, Chief Executive Officer

Jill Langford Dame joined the Leadership Jacksonville staff in May 2013. She is a graduate of Queens University of Charlotte (B.A. cum laude, English and History); the University of Florida, College of Law (J.D. with honors) and Jacksonville University (Master of Arts in Teaching). Jill's previous employment has included the practice of law, teaching, work as a consultant for nonprofit organizations and work as an interim executive director for nonprofits. She has been actively involved in the Jacksonville community serving as president of the Junior League of Jacksonville, PACE Center for Girls Jacksonville, the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida, Girls on the Run of Northeast Florida and Willing Hands. Jill chaired the implementation task force for JCCI's 1998 study The Role of Nonprofit Organizations and chaired JCCI's Children 1-2-3 Study.
She currently sits on the board of the Jacksonville Public Library. Jill is an alumna of Leadership Jacksonville (Class of 1987) and a member of the Jacksonville Women's Network, The Meninak Club of Jacksonville and the Florida Bar. Jill is a past recipient of the Junior League of Jacksonville's Tillie Fowler Community Leadership Award; Leadership Jacksonville's Distinguished Leadership Award; JCCI's 2005 Milestones Award for work as Chair of the Role of Nonprofit Organizations Study Implementation; and was named Folio Weekly's Person of the Year in 2001. She was chosen as a 2013 Woman of Distinction by Girl Scouts of Gateway Council and as a 2014 Woman of Influence by the Jacksonville Business Journal. Jill and her husband Peter have twin daughters, Brooks and Darby.

Nicole B. Bryan, Adult Program Coordinator

Nicole Bryan joined Leadership Jacksonville in June 2015 as the Adult Program Coordinator. Nicole is an honors graduate from Hollins University, Roanoke, VA. Her prior work experience includes serving as a development officer for The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida; an assistant vice president for Wachovia Bank, NA in Winston Salem, NC, and as a customer service representative for Enterprise National Bank. Nicole has been an active volunteer in her church and at her children's school, most recently serving as board chair from 2011-2013 for the St. Mark's Episcopal Day School Board of Trustees. At the school she oversaw a capital campaign, led a head of school search committee, and led a strategic planning committee that completed and implemented a five-year strategic plan. Nicole and her husband Jeff have two daughters, Klare and Bella. Nicole and Jeff co-own Crossfit West Jax.

South Council Small Business Leader of the Year

We would like to congratulate Trey Vollmer as South Council Small Business Leader of the Year!

Growing up I was blessed with close friends and family. I hated the school curriculum of 80's and 90's, but I loved playing sports and having fun in and out of class. My mother and I were very close and she gave me lots of freedom. She taught me to be myself and not be afraid of anything. She was tough.
I learned from my father that you can ditch school and still be a successful entrepreneur. This can be a terrible idea if the latter does not come through for you.
In 1994 I moved to Jacksonville, Florida with my mom, stepdad, brother, and newborn baby sister. I went from having the same friends since Kindergarten to not knowing anybody at Sandalwood High, a school of 3,000 kids. That was tough at 16. I almost moved back to Texas but after ½ a year I was making friends and I’ve loved Jacksonville ever since. In 1996 I told my mom I was not ready to graduate high school because I was really enjoying it. She said ok. Like I said mom gave me lots of freedom.
College changed everything. In 2001 my best friend, Joe Meserve, led me to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I started to value responsibility, direction, commitment, discipline, serving others and eternity. With a new mindset I was getting good grades at UNF and I was ”single” for almost 10 years! Looking back God was preparing me to be a husband and a father.
One day when I see God face to face I will be able to fully express how grateful I am to Him for all that He has done for me. Until then I will serve my family and my clients with the abilities I have while here on this earth.

South Council Small Business Leader of the Year

We would like to congratulate Gloria Vinson as South Council Small Business Leader of the Year!

After spending 23 years working for Prudential Insurance, Gloria Vinson obtained her Real Estate License and Community Association Manager’s license and worked for various companies before starting her own. LANDCO Properties was started in 2005 as a Residential Rental Management company. Her company has grown to include Real Estate Sales, Rentals and Property Management for Residential and Commercial properties. Gloria also is the managing Broker for Melrose Realty in Orlando, Florida. After losing her husband to suicide in 2013 Gloria began getting involved with Suicide Prevention organizations and started The Vinson Foundation in 2017. Her non-profit organization supports families who lost a loved one to suicide.