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South Council Luncheon Speaker

The Honorable Lori Hershey is a champion for students and public education. Leading for over two decades, on School Advisory Councils, Booster Boards, PTSA Boards, Strings on the River and DCPS School Safety and Security Advisory Committee. Making a difference for children has been central to her multi-faceted career as she has worked with non- profit organizations like Communities in Schools and The Jacksonville Children’s Commission. Ms. Hershey is an educator at heart and a former middle school teacher who is certified in Critical Thinking Strategies and Instructional Design by the National Institute for Teaching Thinking. Ms. Hershey values opportunities for students to participate in fitness. She has written grants to support run/walk programs for students in Duval and Clay Counties which impacts 18,000 students annually. Ms. Hershey received the Judges Choice Award in 2014 for grant writing. A licensed real estate agent since 2001. Currently, her license is with Watson Referral Realty. She has been recognized as an Emerging Leader by the Florida School Board Association and currently serves on the Leadership Committee. Ms. Hershey is engaged in public education on the state and national level. She serves on the Board of Directors for The Florida School Board Association and the Council of Great City Schools. Ms. Hershey is a Certified Board Member which is a distinction held by 28% of Board Members in the State of Florida. She served as Vice-Chair of the School Board in 2018 & as Chair in 2019. A graduate of Stetson University, Ms. Hershey is a true lifelong learner. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and is currently working on her Doctoral degree through Grand Canyon University. Ms. Hershey lives in Mandarin with her husband Scott. All four of their children are graduates of Duval County Public Schools.

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.