Brad Nestor is the Director, Site Planning and Design for the PGA Tour Design and Construction Services. His line of work led him to review the master plan of the Children’s Home Society Jacksonville campus in 2007. Impressed by the mission of the CHS, Nestor become involved with their charitable activities and joined the Board of Directors in 2011. This year, he is Chair of the Restaurant Committee for the 32nd annual Caring Chefs. Caring Chefs, a food and wine tasting event benefitting the Children’s Home Society of Florida, will take place Sun., Oct. 25 from 7-9:30 p.m. at The Avenues Mall. More than 10 new restaurants will join the roster this year including Table 1, serving alongside dozens of other restaurants and wine vendors presenting the best of Jacksonville cuisine. Nestor lives in Jacksonville with his wife of 20 years and their two children. For more information about Caring Chefs, including a list of participating restaurants or to purchase tickets, visit www.chsfl.org/caringchefs or call (904) 493-7739.
Where are you from originally?
I grew up in Maryland near Washington, D.C. but moved to Jacksonville in 1999. Prior to working for the PGA Tour, I was a consultant to the Tour with an architecture firm in Atlanta.
Tell me about your family.
My wife and I just celebrated our 20th anniversary. We have two children, one girl and one boy.
Are you a Ponte Vedra resident?
We live in the Intracoastal West area of Jacksonville, but my office is at PGA Tour Headquarters and we attend church in Ponte Vedra.
Tell me about your job: how long have you worked for the PGA Tour and what does your job entail?
I have worked for the PGA Tour for almost 17 years since moving here in 1999. My primary responsibilities are land use planning, site planning and landscape architectural services for the Tournament Players Club (TPC) network, The Players, and other PGA Tour events. These responsibilities include site planning and landscape design of clubhouses and related amenities, landscape design for golf courses and preparation of golf tournament operations plans. I also have been involved in many charitable outreach projects (including the Children’s Home Society) over the years related to the PGA Tour and The Players mission of giving back to the community.
Tell me about your involvement with Caring Chefs and the Children’s Home Society.
In 2007 I reviewed a master plan the Children’s Home Society was developing for their campus in Jacksonville. As that project developed and was implemented, I became more involved in its charitable activities and was impressed with the mission of “Embracing Children, Inspiring Lives.” In 2011, I joined the Board of Directors and have been happy to serve on various committees including Caring Chefs. This year I am the Chair of the Restaurant Committee, which is responsible for signing up new restaurants to participate in Caring Chefs as well as retaining restaurants that have participated for many years.
Tell me a little about this year’s Caring Chefs, and is there anything new or different this year?
This year is the 32nd year of Caring Chefs, and it will be on Sunday, Oct. 25 at the Avenues Mall. We are expecting another sellout event to help us reach our goal of raising $150,000 for the Children’s Home Society. I’m especially excited about the new restaurants we have joining us this year. The food community is growing tremendously in Jacksonville and this year we have more than 10 new restaurants including Orsay, Black Sheep, Table 1, Kazu Japanese Restaurant and Terra Guacha Brazilian Steakhouse. We’re so thrilled that these businesses have chosen to give back to the children in our community while also promoting their cuisine and talents. Ponte Vedra area restaurants will be well represented this year, with Nineteen at TPC Sawgrass, Vernon’s, 619 Ocean View, Pussers and Mulligans participating.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time or do you have any hobbies?
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I am an avid tennis player, golfer and a mediocre guitarist. I am also a Board Member and Past President of Greenscape of Jacksonville, a local non-profit that advocates tree planting in the Jacksonville area.
