Benchmarks of Success: A look at major career developments in the area

A look at major career developments in the area.

City Year Jacksonville appoints senior vice president, executive director 

City Year Jacksonville, the local chapter of the national nonprofit City Year, recently announced the appointment of Dawn Emerick as senior vice president and executive director. This strategic leadership promotion marks the next chapter of growth and deepened community impact for the organization. Emerick began her new role on March 2.

In her new role, Emerick will provide strategic leadership to empower City Year employees and AmeriCorps members to ensure their success. She will also drive operational success and revenue generation by generating resources and developing partnerships to build support in both public and private sectors. In addition, she will oversee student impact and school partnerships, expense management, AmeriCorps member and staff recruitment and retention, and board development and relations. 

Emerick brings more than 30 years of executive leadership experience across nonprofit, public sector and civic organizations — guiding transformational work in organizational design, strategic planning, people and culture development, and community partnerships.

Before joining City Year, Emerick served as the chief strategy officer and later the chief research officer at the Jacksonville Civic Council.

Sporting JAX names Warburton president of soccer

Sporting Club Jacksonville (Sporting JAX) recently announced the promotion of Mark Warburton to president of soccer, reinforcing the club’s commitment to sustained growth, competitive excellence and global connectivity as it builds toward a landmark year for professional soccer on the First Coast.

Warburton, who has played a key role in shaping Sporting JAX’s soccer operations, will now lead all sporting initiatives, including player development, recruitment and international partnerships, as the club continues to expand its presence both domestically and abroad.

Under Warburton’s leadership, Sporting JAX will continue to build strong on-field and organizational momentum.

Pinnacle adds eight to Jacksonville team

Pinnacle Financial Partners is growing its Jacksonville team with the addition of eight financial professionals, including two former statewide banking leaders. The group brings experienced commercial and retail bankers, a mortgage adviser and a financial adviser assistant, further strengthening the firm's capacity to serve businesses and individuals across the region.

The new team members bring decades of combined experience and expertise in commercial banking, small business lending, mortgage services and client support, leading teams and managing complex client relationships.

• Emily Dawkins, area manager, will build and lead a team of commercial financial advisers. She joins Pinnacle from Ameris, where she served as state president.

• Curt Cunkle, financial adviser, previously served as Florida banking president for EverBank.

• Chris Altamore, financial adviser, joins from Valley Bank with extensive experience in commercial banking and business development.

• Jack Baker, financial adviser, brings 18 years of experience in financial services and small business banking. He most recently served as a small business banker at SouthState Bank.

• Kevin Cannon, financial adviser, has more than 30 years of experience in financial services, most recently with Ameris Bank.

• Tyler Griffin, financial adviser, brings more than 10 years of experience in Small Business Administration lending, most recently at SouthState Bank and Synovus Bank, which just merged with Pinnacle.

• Reed Burchette, mortgage adviser, joins Pinnacle with experience in builder partnerships, physician loans and new home construction lending. He most recently served with First Coast Mortgage Funding.

• Brenda Coleman, financial adviser assistant, brings 25 years of retail and commercial banking experience, having most recently supported bankers and their clients at Wells Fargo.

— Compiled by Shaun Ryan