John Peyton selected as 2018 Chair of Jax Chamber

Former Jacksonville Mayor and current GATE Petroleum President John Peyton has been selected as the 2018 Jax Chamber chairman.

The selection of the chair typically happens more than a year in advance, and Peyton will spend 2017 as the chairman-elect.

Peyton, mayor from 2003 to 2011, knows the impacts the good times and the bad times have on Jacksonville, as he presided over the city during the 2008 economic crash and the slow recovery locally.

“In the ever-expanding global marketplace, we must continue to aggressively tell Jacksonville’s story around the world,” Peyton said. “With business-friendly governments, low tax burden, a great quality of life and top-notch transportation infrastructure, Jacksonville continues to be a prime location for companies to relocate and grow. I look forward to being a part of the continued economic growth in our city and working with businesses to expand and invest in Jacksonville.”

Indeed, Jacksonville continues aggressively recruiting companies for relocation and expansion purposes, with success in recent years ranging from the financial sector to corporate stalwarts, such as IKEA and Amazon.

Darnell Smith, North Florida market president for Florida Blue, is the current chair-elect and will precede Peyton as chairman in 2017.

As one would expect, he offered a positive quote in the press release.

“Our community is fortunate to have passionate leaders like John Peyton who have dedicated their time and energy to serving our city and who continue to answer the call,” Smith said. “John knows what it takes to help build a great city and is an excellent choice to lead our Chamber. I look forward to working with John next year and in his year as chair in 2018.”

In addition to business recruitment, the Chamber is expected to take a role in advocating for yet another introduction of efforts to expand Jacksonville’s Human Rights Ordinance to include the LGBT community.

It will be worth watching to see if Peyton is aggressive in lobbying city leaders, including Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, to move on this issue that so far has exposed a large gap between the business community and social conservatives.