Small Business Leader of the Year
Each year the JAX Chamber salutes the entrepreneurial spirit of Jacksonville’s small businesses with the Small Business Leader of the Year (SBLY) Award. the Health Council is proud to have outstanding leaders in business representing our Council.
To learn more about the program, ask any of our SBLY’s or visit the JAX Chamber website.
Dr. Tracy Riley – 2022
Some people search for a career path, and others take aptitude tests to learn which field bests suits them. Because a foster care placement saved her life, Tracy always knew that she had to become the change she wanted to see. She was no stranger to struggles, even from early childhood.
Tracy obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Auburn University, while 4 months pregnant with her third child. Six years later, she obtained her Master’s Degree from Florida State University. In 2018 Tracy earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.
Initially unsure of where her passions lay, Tracy explored many career paths. For four years, she taught psychology courses at the University of Phoenix. She has conducted hundreds of parenting plans, including comprehensive child and family assessments for children placed in foster care. She been court appointed to provide individual, group and family counseling and has given expert witness testimony in numerous counties in both Georgia and Florida.
In 2009, Tracy started her private practice, which today has grown to become Jacksonville’s most trusted mental health counseling practices, employing multiple mental health clinicians.
In addition to her business savvy, Tracy is a published author, and was the producer of The Relationship Round Up a call in Radio show, during 2013-2014. She is certified in Rapid Resolution Therapy and uses hypnosis to bring about instant change in her patients. Tracy also obtained a special certification through Colorado State University in Death and Grief Studies.
Tracy invites you to join her as she and her staff offers you quality, compassionate mental health services.
Nemiah Rutledge – 2021
Founder & Owner, Body Paradox
Nemiah Rutledge is the founder and owner of Body Paradox. He has an Associate of Arts degree in occupational science. He’s worked as a personal trainer since August 2013 at Set Performance, then Workout Anytime. While earning practical experience and refining his program at these gyms, he began developing a business plan and creating the branding for his own fitness training business.
He formed Body Paradox in 2015 and soon after, became the official corporate training company for Harrell & Harrell, P.A. The firm remains his largest client, but he also works with Baptist Health, and a wide variety of smaller businesses. He employs a capable team of certified trainers who round out the Body Paradox team to bring a wide variety of personal, group and corporate training to First Coast businesses and residents.
In summer of 2016, Rutledge also completed a personal goal, placing in his first natural body building competition – the Southern Cross Naturals Florida Championship.
Jim Satterwhite – 2020
CEO, Venture Pointe
Like many entrepreneurs, Jim Satterwhite put his heart, soul and bank account into founding Venture Pointe with his partners in 2012. Unlike some small business owners, however, Jim also brought decades of executive experience and business acumen to the task of growing the Jacksonville-based IT startup into the award-winning enterprise it is today.
Jim’s leadership skills were homed in both the technology and banking sectors, where he worked for large corporations including First American Title, Infusion Technologies, JP Morgan Chase and Cenlar. And his executive, operations, and relationship-building expertise, combined with his knowledge of both the institutional and service provider perspectives made him a perfect fit for Venture Pointe. He had firsthand knowledge of the service issues the company was created to address, a longtime desire to address them, and the executive capacity to build a profitable and sustainable business.
Having created mentoring and community-based relationship initiatives, Jim also had a basis to build from regarding employment development and community involvement.
Jim and his colleagues are also involved in industry think tanks, projects for social and ethical advancement and advisory positions. They’ve provided tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment and technical support to nonprofit organizations created technology internships for local college students and facilitated high school science and technology education programs. And they’ve extended services to small businesses in the community, including their own clients. Their commitment to service and excellence has been recognized with honors including the Better Business Bureau Torch Award and a number of national and international industry awards.
When he’s not working, Jim enjoys the Florida lifestyle with his wife of almost 28 years, Sally, who works within the Duval County Public School System. He has a special affinity for golf, which not only involves sunshine and exercise but also provides an opportunity to be completely in charge of his own success. “When you play golf,” he says, “your success completely depends upon you. You can’t blame anyone else if you hit a bad shot!”
Dr. Vasco Valov – 2019
Founder & Chiropractor, Abundant Life Health Center
For the past 13 years, my passion has been helping people experience optimal health and happiness. I have been honored to help thousands of people transform their health through professional healthcare services in private practice, live events, mission trips, and personal mentoring.
It has been a privilege to provide care for Olympic medalists, the Boston Bruins, the Colorado Rapids, professional and semi-professional footballers, golfers, and mixed martial artists. Small to mid-sized companies have utilized our services to design robust corporate wellness programs for their teams. However, my mission is not limited to assisting only high-profile athletes and organizations. The most rewarding aspect of what I do is help families, newborns, pregnant moms, and people diagnosed with chronic disease regain their health.
Helping people who are facing a health challenge drives me because 20 years ago, I was the one suffering – I was in pain, taking medications, and looking for answers.
Fortunately, all of that changed because one doctor took the time to educate me and teach me about how my body is designed to heal. As my health transformed, I decided to become a doctor so that I can help others. Every day I hear from people about how their health and life has improved because they are getting adjusted and implementing the wellness protocols we teach. I love what I do!
Kathryn Murphy – 2018
CEO, Comfort Keepers
Kathryn Murphy knew as a young child she wanted to be a nurse. While growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, she became inspired when her older brother became a Green Beret and served in Viet Nam. As a nursing student at Indiana State University she was approached by a Navy Recruiter and without hesitance enlisted in the Navy. During her 24-year career, Kathryn moved seven times and assignments ranged from clinical nursing to hospital administration. As a Registered Nurse, Kathryn holds both a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Nursing. After retiring as a Commander, she became the Director of Health Services for the Mayo Health Plan, before starting her entrepreneurial career.
In 2002, Kathryn purchased her first Comfort Keepers franchise and with positive growth and success by 2014, she acquired her third franchise which expanded into a home health agency. Her award-winning company has been built on integrity, value, and compassion and is a sought-after provider of premier in-home care in northeast Florida. Comfort Keepers provides services allowing adults to live independently at home with dignity and respect as they age or recuperate from an illness or condition. Her company focuses on Alzheimer’s/dementia care, as Kathryn is passionate about serving this population, after personally experiencing it with her Father and Aunt. Comfort Keepers has served over 1200 families in sixteen years.
Kathryn’s business savvy, as well as her significant community involvement, has not gone unnoticed. She has received numerous awards including: “2007 Great 100 Nurses in Northeast Florida”, “2008 Franchisee of the Year”, “2011 Small Business Administration Women Champion of the Year for both the North Florida District and the State of Florida”, “2013 Women of Influence” by the Jacksonville Business Journal, and the “2013 Florida Achievement Award” by the Florida Commission on the Status. In February 2014, Kathryn was one of seven women entrepreneurs featured in the statewide magazine Florida Trend. In May of 2014, Kathryn was selected as a “Veteran of Influence,” one of three women veterans recognized for this prestigious award. Kathryn was also awarded the “Business Advocate Award” from Governor Rick Scott and recognized by the Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women in 2015 and 2016.
In spare time, Kathryn enjoys family time with her two sons, spending time with her dog Layla, and participating in endurance sports, including jogging, swimming, and cycling.
Liz Pierce – 2017
CEO, MomentStrong, LLC
Liz and her talented co-founders have developed an innovative tool to help individuals have more success in their wellness efforts. MomentStrong is a patent pending mobile application that delivers “Strength When You Need It.” With MomentStrong, users specify locations or times for which they will need help, and a personalized motivational message arrives when they reach that location or at the specified time.
Most recently, Liz was the CIO at The St. Joe Company, a real estate developer and Florida’s second largest landowner. Prior to that, she spent many years in sales and marketing with AT&T, Lucent, and Avaya. With experience on both sides of the table, Liz knows how to help companies find and implement impactful solutions.
Liz is the 2017 Vice President of the Health Council of the JAX Chamber, having served the two previous years as Program Officer. She is a member of the CIO Council of the JAX Chamber where she served as Chairperson for 6 years. Liz is currently a member of the First Coast Worksite Wellness Council. Over the years she has served as a Chamber Trustee and member of the executive committee of the Toyota Gator Bowl.
Liz graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing
Mindy Barker – 2016
CEO of Mindy Barker & Associates
Mindy Barker founded her own firm in 2012, Mindy Barker & Associates, to provide entrepreneurial business owners and non-profits with Fortune 500-level CFO management and consulting services, enabling her clients to maximize efficiency and profitability.
As CEO of Mindy Barker & Associates, Mindy works to empower her clients with the tools and financial information necessary to improve company value, profitability, and cash flow. Mindy has a unique background working in both private equity and growth companies. She has a proven track record of driving strategy and execution to facilitate deliberate growth in a manner that allows an entrepreneur to refine and realize his or her vision.
Prior to founding Mindy Barker & Associates, Mindy was the chief financial officer for OptaComp, a workers compensation company and subsidiary of Florida Blue. She also served as controller of Kemper Services Group and was principal and chief financial officer of Chartwell Capital, a private equity firm. Mindy’s diverse background also includes management positions in the industries of property and casualty insurance, distribution and manufacturing, and consulting. Mindy began her career in public accounting with Price Waterhouse Coopers and Ernst and Young.
Mindy holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in Accounting from Converse College and is a certified public accountant in Florida and North Carolina. She has given back to the Jacksonville Community as a mentor in Financial and Leadership Matters with the Jacksonville Chamber, a mentor with Florida Blue’s Health Box, Chairman of the Selection Committee for the Women In Business Awards and as a mentor and judge for StartUp Quest. She is a mentor for the Chamber of Commerce Jacksonville Women’s Center Financial Matters and served as the CFO Mentor for One Spark. She is a nominee for 2016 The Small Business Leader of the Year for the Jacksonville Chamber, and was recently recognized as an honoree for Partners in Philanthropy for the Jacksonville Business Journal and United Way. Mindy is a member of the American Institute of CPA’s, the Association of Corporate Growth, the Jacksonville Chamber, Women Business Owners, and the Jacksonville Women’s Network. She also serves on the board of the Children’s Home Society