FSCJ District Board of Trustees New Member and Reappointments Announced

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Florida State College at Jacksonville’s (FSCJ) District Board of Trustees welcomes its newest member, J. Palmer Clarkson, who was recently appointed by Governor Rick Scott. Additionally, Board Chair Karen Bowling and Vice Chair for Nassau County Candace Holloway were reappointed by Governor Scott.

A Duval County resident, Mr. Clarkson has over 31 years of experience as an entrepreneur, business builder and manager with extensive experience in accounting, finance and operations. He has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Bridgestone HosePower, LLC (HosePower) since 1992. He was the Founder of Masthead Industries, Inc. in 1992 and sold his company to Bridgestone in June 2014. Mr. Clarkson previously served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Anchor Coupling Company from 1987 to 1992.

Mr. Clarkson has been a Director of CNX Resources, Inc. since May 2017 and Actuant, Inc. since February 2018. He serves as a member of the Board of Directors at Bridgestone HosePower, LLC and Hawkson Properties, Inc. He also sits on the boards of several organizations including the Jacksonville Port Authority.

“We are pleased to welcome Mr. Clarkson onto the District Board of Trustees,” said FSCJ Interim President Kevin E. Hyde. “His years of entrepreneurial and leadership experience will bolster the College’s growth and advancement efforts.”

Mr. Clarkson succeeds Randy DeFoor and is appointed for the term beginning July 20, 2018, and ending May 31, 2022.

Ms. Bowling, a resident of Duval County, was originally appointed to the FSCJ District Board of Trustees in August 2011 and was elected chair in August 2017. She served on the Board’s Finance and Audit Committee from August 2016 to July 2017. Additionally, she served as the District Board of Trustees’ liaison to the Foundation Board from August 2011 to July 2014, and as a member on the Board of the Florida State College at Jacksonville Foundation.

A Nassau County resident, Ms. Holloway was appointed to the FSCJ District Board of Trustees in August 2011 and was elected vice chair for Nassau County in August 2017, having previously served in that role from August 2015 to July 2016 and August 2012 to July 2014. She was also elected District Board of Trustees’ liaison to the Foundation Board in August 2017.

The reappointments are for the term beginning July 17, 2018, and ending May 31, 2022.

“We are fortunate to have Chair Bowling and Vice Chair Holloway continue their service on our District Board of Trustees,” said President Hyde. “Their commitment and leadership has been invaluable to this institution and we look to their guidance for our continued success for the students and communities we serve.”

The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

About FSCJ

Known as “the community’s college,” Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) exists to provide valuable, high quality learning opportunities to anyone with the desire to enhance themselves through the pursuit of higher education. Serving more than 50,000 students and awarding more than 7,800 degrees and certificates on an annual basis, the College plays a significant role in supplying the region’s employers with a highly skilled, educated workforce.

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