Cypress Trust Company celebrates new office in San Marco

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Cypress Trust Company hosted an open house May 2 to showcase its new office in the San Marco neighborhood of Jacksonville. 

Previously located in Riverside, the firm’s new location is 1910 San Marco Blvd., joining the bustling businesses and storefronts that comprise the popular San Marco Square. 

Attendees of the open house enjoyed the opportunity to tour the office, which had been the headquarters for a charitable foundation and a private residence before that. Guests also interacted with the Cypress Trust Company team, including CEO Donald G. Kempf Jr., who visited the office and Jacksonville for the first time.

“I think it’s a really wonderful community,” said Kempf, who is based in Palm Beach. “I like our team here, and I expect them to be a value-added corporate citizen here. I’m looking forward to working with them and the Jacksonville community.”

Kempf noted that the firm’s Jacksonville team  served as the trust department for CenterState Bank before being acquired by Cypress Trust Company in December 2017. The new owner decided a different location was needed for the team to establish a new identity. They ultimately settled on the location in San Marco and moved there in January. 

Founded 23 years ago in Palm Beach, Cypress Trust Company is a traditional trust business that mainly focuses on the estates of modestly wealthy to high net worth people, Kempf said. The hallmark of the business, he added, is a hands-on, individualized approach. 

Kempf served on the board of the company for about 10 years before completing a stint in 2017-2018 as deputy assistant attorney general of the United States. Upon returning to the private sector in August 2018, he rejoined the Cypress Trust Company board. Soon after, the previous CEO left the company, and the board asked Kempf to take the reins.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it,” Kempf said. “It’s a wonderful organization. My predecessor had a vision of growing a strong, financially sound customer-oriented team. He did so, and I intend to continue on that path.”