PB + Jax

On this episode of Pioneers and Builders in Jacksonville (PB & Jax), host Randall Thomas sits down with Jacksonville District 3 City Councilman and Finance Committee Chair Will Lahnen. A fifth-generation Jacksonville resident, Naval Academy grad, and former submarine officer, Will breaks down what it's like to run a $2 billion city budget, why he ran for office in the first place, and what...

She spent her first Florida Christmas sewing hurricane screens on a Walmart machine in her living room. Twenty years later, Fenetex is a back-to-back Inc. 5000 manufacturer that is shipping motorized screens across the country. All these years later, they are still proudly based in Jacksonville. In this episode of PB & Jax, host Randall Thomas sits down with Meridith Anzulis, co-founder and CE...

Jacksonville City Council candidate Deborah Wesley sits down with PB & Jax to make her case to voters ahead of the August 18 special election. Deborah is the Republican candidate for City Council At-Large, Group 1. In this conversation she shares her 35 years of service with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, why she decided to run for office for the first time, and what she'd prioriti...

Jacksonville City Council candidate Addison Patrick sits down with PB & Jax to make her case to voters ahead of the August 18 special election. Addison is the Libertarian candidate for City Council At-Large, Group 1. In this conversation, she lays out what a libertarian actually believes, why she got into the race, and the issues driving her campaign: housing affordability and smart growth, pu...

Jacksonville City Council candidate Moné Holder sits down with PB & Jax to make her case to voters ahead of the August 18 special election. About Our Guest: Moné Holder is the Democratic candidate for City Council At-Large, Group 1. She serves as Chief Advocacy & Political Officer at Florida Rising and chairs the Jacksonville Planning Commission, and brings nearly two decades of nonprofit...

Some people network to collect contacts. Tim Ager focuses on creating places where people form real relationships. In this episode of PB & JAX, I sit down with Tim to talk about his journey from military service to entrepreneurship and the role community has played along the way. After moving around the country and abroad, Tim eventually found his way to Jacksonville. What started as a desire...

This episode is sponsored by Olive My Pickle: Probiotic Fermented Foods for Gut Health. For more information, visit their website here: https://www.olivemypickle.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoruevMF0Zhy8qzhFTCVkLA2FrxQHFlusRTKY5bGRrHeyBZG9efYWhat does it take to turn a great product into a brand people recognize, trust, and want to bring into their homes? In this episode of PB & Jax, Randall sits down wi...

This episode is about service, faith, and what happens when a community decides to show up for someone who needs help. Pastor Gerald Williams has spent decades serving Jacksonville as the pastor of Word of Faith Church and Executive Director of the Make It Happen Foundation. His mission is simple: help seniors and families who have fallen through the cracks. In this conversation, we discuss: • Gro...

What were you doing at 18?For Sean Scott, the answer wasn't college parties or figuring out what came next. He was building a software company. In this episode of PB & Jax, we sit down with Sean Scott, founder of UniDesk, an AI-powered ticketing and asset management platform designed to help organizations solve IT problems faster and more efficiently. Sean shares how he went from a high sc...

What does it take to build a technology company in Jacksonville? In this episode of PB & Jax, we sit down with Bob Dahlstrom, Founder and CEO of Appellix, to discuss entrepreneurship, innovation, drones, and the future of Jacksonville's startup ecosystem. Bob shares his journey from software development to creating one of the most innovative drone companies in the country. What started as...

What does a Navy diver, ice cream shop owner, and janitorial supply entrepreneur have in common? Josh Davis. In this episode of PB & Jax, Josh shares the unconventional path that led him from military service to building JanSan, a Jacksonville-based company serving businesses across Northeast Florida. We discuss: • How his experience as a Navy diver shaped his approach to leadership and busine...

This episode is sponsored by Olive My Pickle: Probiotic Fermented Foods for Gut Health. For more information, visit their website here: https://www.olivemypickle.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoruevMF0Zhy8qzhFTCVkLA2FrxQHFlusRTKY5bGRrHeyBZG9efYWhat does it take to turn a childhood love for pickles into a thriving business? In this episode of PB & Jax, I sit down with Shai Tzabari, Co-founder of Olive My Pi...

Ever wonder what a 55,000 sq ft warehouse filled with history, sustainability, and creativity looks like? When Michael Murphy bought an abandoned railroad depot in Jacksonville, he saw raw bones and a chance to save, not just build. His mission? Keep thousands of building materials out of landfills while creating a space that feels more like art than commerce. From giant conference tables to custo...

How do you build a legacy while staying grounded in your community? In this episode, we sit down with Scott Wohlers, President of Riverplace Capital, to discuss the true meaning of fiduciary responsibility and the journey of growing a premier financial advisory firm right here in Jacksonville. From his early days in Tennessee to becoming a key figure in the River City’s financial landscape, Scott...

Finding a place where kids can run wild, dogs can play, and adults can actually enjoy a cocktail without the constant battle against screen time is rare, but that’s exactly what Daniel Moffatt created with The Block Jax. Daniel saw a gap in the local scene: parents were tired of "restaurant stress" and the constant need to hand over an iPad just to get through a meal. His solution? A 10,...

In this episode, Randall Thomas sits down with Mike Potts, CEO of [Feature23], to explore the evolution of custom software development, the integration of AI, and the strategic focus on the middle market. They discuss the importance of culture, innovation, and market adaptation in a rapidly changing tech landscape, providing actionable insights for software professionals and business leaders alike...

What happens when a tech entrepreneur dives headfirst into the world of craft beer? In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Batey to discuss his fascinating transition from the startup world to revitalizing the Northeast Florida brewery scene. Andrew shares the "under the hood" reality of business turnarounds, the grit required to scale a brand like Mocama Brewery, and why he believes you should...

Whether you know him as the man behind the iconic whiskers or a champion for local wildlife, Curtis Dvorak is a Jacksonville legend. In this episode, we sit down with the man who brought Jaxson de Ville to life to discuss his high-octane career with the Jaguars, his seamless transition into media, and his current mission: advocating for the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Curtis shares why...

Take a step back in time to explore the coastal heritage of Northeast Florida. In this episode, we journey through the evolution of Pablo Beach into the modern-day Jacksonville Beach, uncovering the stories of the pioneers, railroads, and landmarks that shaped the community. We visit the Pablo Historical Park to look at preservation in action, from the hand-built pioneer cabins to the 1887 depot t...

What happens when a seasoned journalist becomes the story? Today we are joined by Lynn Jones, a veteran journalist who has been documenting the stories of Jacksonville since 1994. Lynn shares her journey through the media landscape and discusses her deep connection to the community she serves. to discuss her long career in Jacksonville media and the viral press conference moment that showcased her...

How do you grow a business from a $500 investment into a thriving firm with eight employees, all without making a single cold call? In this episode, we sit down with Shana Ryan, founder of Conceptual HR, to pull back the curtain on her entrepreneurial journey here in Jacksonville, Florida. Shana shares how she transitioned from a corporate career to building a leading HR consulting business rooted...

In this episode, we sit down with Darrin Eakins, the founder of DuBlasé Whiskey and a dedicated community leader in Jacksonville. Darrin shares the story behind launching a whiskey brand built on purpose, the realities of the distillation and distribution process, and how he balances entrepreneurship with a passion for philanthropy. Beyond the bottle, Darrin discusses the mission of the DuBlasé Fo...

Step into a sharp discussion with Don Smith of Tanager Holdings and the venture studio model shaping new business paths. Don traces a path from early ideas to unexpected deals in Peru. He breaks down why Gray Collar roles matter, how hiring trends shift, and what your career strategy needs now. You will learn:• Why Gray Collar jobs drive growth across industries• What hiring data signals about fut...

Anthony Miles shares a story built on grit, service, and ownership. He started young, selling candy at school. That drive led him to the Navy, where discipline and structure shaped his mindset. After military service, he entered corporate roles, then chose risk and stepped into business ownership in Jacksonville. Anthony explains the shift from employee to founder. He details the pressure, the les...

In this episode, Christine Hoffman shares a firsthand look at leadership on the coast. She traces her path from Beaches Museum board member to Executive Director, then to Mayor of Jacksonville Beach. You hear how local history shaped her public service mindset and why preservation still matters today. Christine breaks down the hidden history of Jacksonville Beach and the museum’s 20 year role as a...