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Issue 265 | February 2, 2025

"Everyone you meet knows something you don't."

-Bill Nye: American Science Educator, Mechanical Engineer,

"The Science Guy"

They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, but can you believe it will be three weeks before we all get together for our next lunch meeting at Maggiano’s? The good news is that we have two great evening networking events set up before our next meeting to mix and mingle with fellow club members.


First, come join us at the Igloo on February 6 for what will certainly be a fun time of Ice Skating, along with food and drink at one of the coolest (pun intended) bars in Jacksonville. If you have never been to the Igloo (conveniently located right off Emerson) then you don’t know what you’re missing. Bring your friends and family, I promise you will not be disappointed!


But wait there is more! We hope you got a chance to buy your ticket to the Alhambra Dinner show on February 7 featuring Kentucky Fried Funeral. We have really great seats and the food, and the show never disappoint. So, bring the family, bring a friend, bring a coworker or a neighbor just be sure to leave your mother-in-law home. I hope to see you there!!!


Don’t forget that March is The Players Championship so be sure to sign up to volunteer on either March 11 or March 13 as we raise money to support our Annual Children’s Shopping Spree. This year we are at a new location from last year. I personally volunteered two years ago, and we had a blast! Come out and join fellow members as we network and give back to the community, which is always a great feeling!


Have a great week!


Sincerely,

 

Kenneth T. Petsch

President 

MEET MARK GEIL, 2025 1ST VICE PRESIDENT


I was born to James and Caroljean Geil in 1963. I am the third son of five children, two older brothers and two younger sisters.


I grew up in Park Forest South, Il (renamed University Park). In 1977, we moved to Chicago Heights, Il. Then in 1982 my father and I moved to Apache Junction, AZ as an advanced party for the family. The rest of family moved after school got out in June 1982.


After graduation from high school, June 1982, I have worked as a forestry firefighter, dry wall and construction laborer, volunteer firefighter & several misc. other jobs before entering the navy as a photographer in 1987. Shortly after joining the military, I met my wife, Shannon & we married in December of 1990.


We have one daughter, Sarai who is married to Jefferey and they have two children, Olivia and Grayson.


In my military career I spent 17 years in the Virginia Beach, VA area: being stationed at Fleet Imaging Command, Atlantic Intelligent Command, USS EISENHOWER (CVN 69), Joint Forces Staff College, and USS MOUN WHITNEY (LCC 20). For my last duty station, I was transferred to Jacksonville, FL and stationed at VP-16, War Eagles from which I retired from in 2007.


Since 2007, I have worked as a bartender at Sterlings (now Bluefish) in Riverside, TSA Officer at Jacksonville International Airport from 2008-2013 as well as a Real Estate Agent and Photographer since leaving TSA.



Next Meetings


February 12: Karen Mathis, Jacksonville Daily Record


February 26: Kevin Carrico, City Council Vice President & President Elect


Click here to pre-register!

Maggiano's at the Town Center will be our new venue for 2025, with our regular luncheons held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month!

Two successful meetings so far and these meals did not disappoint!


To help us provide the venue with an accurate headcount and to save on costs, please consider pre-registering by the Monday before each luncheon.

We have extended the cutoff day for ticket purchases through Monday, February 3!



Come out to the Igloo (3605 Phillips Hwy) for our first Member Hangout of 2025!


Ice-skating not your thing?

No worries: enjoy a great opportunity to network with a variety of interesting people! Not to mention a fantastic bar area! Please feel free to bring coworkers, friends and family!


Kids Skate for FREE!!!


The low price of $10 per person includes a drink ticket, delicious hors d’oeuvres & skate rentals! This is a deal that you, your family & friends won’t want to miss!


Register here!

FINAL CALL TO PURCHASE YOUR ALHAMBRA TICKETS!

CUTOFF IS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY4!!



Join us for a fun filled night out at the Alhambra Dinner Theatre on February 7 as we enjoy the performance of "Southern Fried Funeral"!


Dinner begins at 6pm and the show begins at 7pm.


There are ONLY 18 spaces available, so grab your tickets through our website while they last!


The cost is $75 and includes tax and gratuity.

TIME TO VOLUNTEER FOR THE 2025 PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Come on out and volunteer for The Players Championship!


The SBMC participates annually, and we receive money that benefits our Charities Programs.


Please help us out by donating your time for this wonderful cause and have a great time in the process! Time slots are as follows:


March 11: 10am - Closing

March 13: 9am - 4pm, and 11am - Closing


Sign up by clicking the link below:


SBMC Event Listings - South Side Business Men's Club


TPC TICKET PURCHASES

Need tickets to The Players Championship?

 Click here to buy them through us!

 

From December 5 to February 28, use the promo code 497OPC to get the lowest price available for competition days!

 

For every ticket purchased with our code, the SBMC will receive $40 to benefit our Annual Holiday Kids Shopping Spree!

 

Thank you in advance for your help in supporting our Club Charities!


HAPPY NEWS

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR OWN SBMC MEMBER AND FRIEND!


We are extremely proud to announce that our own Regent Ducas of Power Web Videos has been recognized as one of only eleven Jax Chamber 2025 Small Business Leaders of the year!


What an amazing accomplishment, and the SBMC will be rooting for you as the overall winner!


Click here to read the full article in the Jax Daily Record!


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FEBRUARY HAPPY BIRTHDAYS TO YOU


ANNE URBAN

BRUCE FOURAKER

CJ ALLEN, JR

HANK DUCKWORTH

JEPP WALTER

JIM COX

NICK CASTANEDA

ROBERT PETSCH

LINDA PETSCH




PLEASE WELCOME OUR NEWEST MEMBERS!


Summer Melton, Hooters

Grace Goddard, Hooters

Priscilla Scott, Seamless Floors

Rob Petsch, Greentech Renewables

Reese Robinson, Greentech Renewables

Louis Denny, Veteran's Commercial Corp.



To have your New Membership featured in our upcoming newsletters, make sure to attend one of our regular luncheons to have your FREE headshot taken by Mark Geil!


Our website has been redesigned! Check it out by clicking the link below!


When logging into your profile for the first time, you will have to use the “Lost Password” link to reset your password.


https://www.sbmcjax.com


2025 CALENDAR OF EVENTS



FEBRUARY 6: ICE-SKATING AT THE IGLOO


FEBRUARY 7: ALHAMBRA DINNER THEATRE: SOUTHERN FRIED FUNERAL


FEBRUARY 12: KAREN MATHIS, JACKSONVILLE DAILY RECORD


FEBRUARY 26: KEVIN CARRICO, CITY COUNCIL VP & PRESIDENT ELECT


MARCH 11 & 13: TPC VOLUNTEER EVENT, SIGN UP NOW!

SPOTLIGHT SPEAKER: FEBRUARY 12


Kasandra Connatser and Karen Tallman

JWB Real Estate


If you are interested in signing up to be a Spotlight Speaker next year, please contact

Chris Bagley at https://Sgtatarms@sbmcjax.com


GENE BUSHOR MEMORIAL ATTENDANCE AWARD

(Sponsored by A.J. Richwine, Market Point Advisors)


Wayne Baker


WOODY COOPER

(Sponsored by Jepp Walter, Marlin Technology & Patrick Heatherington, Synovus Bank)


Regent Ducas



Sponsor Spots Available!



If you are interested in becoming a Sponsor and seeing your company's logo here, please contact Mike Slagle at:

https://3rdvp@sbmcjax.com


CLICK ON EACH LOGO TO VISIT THE WEBSITE!


Special Thanks to Our Club Sponsors:

PLATINUM SPONSORS





GOLD SPONSORS