UACDC Names New Chairman

From the University Area Community Development Corporation:

Gene Marshall — a long-time, highly regarded leader in the Tampa Bay community serving as a Senior Vice President of JP Morgan Chase Bank of Florida and numerous nonprofits that include the Boards of the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, Straz Center, Hillsborough Education Foundation, BayCare Health System, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Council for Educational Change, Caribbean American National Development Organization (CANDO) as well as NorthStar Bank — has been elected Chairman of the University Area Community Development Corporation, Inc. (UACDC).

Marshall will succeed Hillsborough County Commissioner Victor Crist, who is stepping down as the Chairman of the UACDC after 15 years of dedicated volunteer service. Crist will continue to serve the organization as Chairman Emeritus, a volunteer, honorary non-voting position.

“As the founding Chairman of the UACDC since 1997, I couldn’t be more proud of the organization’s many accomplishments and good works in our community and nine other counties,” said Chairman Crist. “I’ve been incredibly blessed to work with a wonderful team with an unrivaled passion for improving people’s lives.” 

During Crist’s 15 year tenure as Chairman, the UACDC took the lead on a countless number of community improvement projects and programs that have forever changed the landscape of the areas surrounding the Tampa campus of the University of South Florida, especially the neighborhoods west of USF formerly known as “Suitcase City.”

In that time, the organization also grew from zero to more than $15 million in programs and services that have been recognized as some of the most efficient and cost-effective anywhere.  For the past two years, Tampa Bay Business Journal has named the UACDC Nonprofit of the Year: Public and Societal Benefit Category.

“The gains we’ve made need to be protected and advanced to help our communities through these difficult times,” said UACDC Executive Director and CEO Dan Jurman. “That’s why Mr. Marshall is such a great choice. He’s a passionate advocate for the most vulnerable people in our community who also happens to be a savvy, successful businessman. He knows what it takes for an organization to excel.” 

Commissioner Crist mirrored that sentiment, “I’m confident in the leadership of Mr. Marshall and in his ability to move this great organization forward. In addition, we have an excellent, well-organized, strong Board in place.”

For his part, Marshall is ready to get to work facing the challenges that still plague the University Area Community. “I’m honored to have the opportunity to serve as Chairman to help lead the UACDC into this next chapter of its successful life. I’ll strive to serve with the same passion, dedication and drive as Chairman Crist demonstrated for so many years.”

Marshall, a native of Jamaica, relocated to Tampa from Wall Street in New York to open and advance JP Morgan Chase Banks in Florida. After 35 years at JP Morgan Chase, he retired as a Senior Vice President. He has served on the UACDC Board for 13 years, having begun his tenure as a Board member in 1999. He takes over the role as Chairman on August 1, 2012.

“Having Gene Marshall accept the Chairman position at the UACDC is an honor, and we are deeply grateful to have a person of his caliber and integrity at the helm,” added Commissioner Crist. “Together with our new Executive Director and CEO, Dan Jurman, he will certainly further the UACDC’s mission to transform at-risk communities and our University Area neighborhood, helping them to become self-reliant, thriving and sustainable communities.”