Profile: Jerry Mallot

Q. Please describe Cornerstone and why it’s important to Northeast Florida:?
A. Cornerstone is the regional economic development organization whose function is to lead regional efforts to create high-value jobs and capital investment in Northeast Florida.? Most companies conduct site searches for new facilities on a regional basis. Cornerstone markets the region and works with companies in their decision-making process, trying to successfully bring them to the First Coast.

Q. What has the organization accomplished that you’re most proud of?
A. Cornerstone has been involved in dozens of corporate expansions and relocations. The attraction of the corporate headquarters for Fidelity National Financial, a Fortune 500 company, is the largest and most impactful corporate relocation in the past few decades. In addition, major names like Deutsche Bank, Fidelity Investments, Bridgestone, Pilot Pen and others have changed the corporate landscape of our region and of Jacksonville. They’ve raised the income level significantly and put Jacksonville on the map.

Q. When people think of Florida, Miami, Orlando or Tampa come to mind. Do you find that Jacksonville remains a well-kept secret in the corporate world?
A. We’ve made significant progress in having Jacksonville emerge as a major city during the past 15 years. The most important visible impact was the NFL’s selection of Jacksonville for its 30th franchise. Hosting the Super Bowl also dramatically raised our profile. The Players Championship each year puts an international focus on our region as well. These events, combined with the decisions by so many Fortune 500 companies, have gained the attention of other companies around the country as well as our neighbors around the state. We’re still not a household name, but we’re becoming known as a force to be reckoned with in the development of jobs and new corporate entities.??

Q. What do relocating companies find appealing about Jacksonville versus other Florida markets?
A. The consolidated government in Jacksonville" target="_blank">Duval County has been a significant attraction, and the sense of partnership and togetherness that companies see. Plus we’ve got the combination of the size of a major metropolitan area and the strong attributes of a smaller community.

Q. What’s the economic outlook for Northeast Florida?
A. We have a very bright future for the Northeast Florida region. Our balanced economy, room to grow, low taxes and very reasonable costs all combine to make this area so attractive. The Port of Jacksonville is growing dramatically, which brings logistics and manufacturing companies to the area, and the number of headquarters and major operations sends very strong signals about our future prospects. Cecil Field has become a magnet for major projects. Even in a tough year like 2008, we worked with over 20 companies who created 3,300 new jobs.

Q. Who is your personal hero and why??
A. My mother, who raised five kids, who sacrificed much, who emphasized education and hard work and who put us on a path of success.? I’m forever grateful for her many lessons on life.

Q. What book are you reading right now?
A. Bill Bryson’s A Short History of Nearly Everything.

Q.? If you weren’t doing your current job, what would you like to be doing for a living??
A. Real estate development, now that we can see the bottom of the market, or venture capital. I really enjoy putting deals together and finding ways to? make projects work.

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