James “Jim” Fulmer Painter, 71, left this world suddenly due to an unforeseen complication following a year-long battle with cancer. He was born October 23, 1951 in Palo Alto, California to Abraham and Etoile (Thompson) Painter.

Jim was fully devoted to the masonry industry. He was a third-generation brick mason who came to Gainesville in 1957 alongside his father, who came to work on Williamson Hall - the first of many jobs on the University of Florida campus the Painter family would work on over his lifetime.

In 1968, Painter Masonry, Inc. was founded. Over the course of over 40 years with Painter Masonry, Jim worked alongside his father Abe and brother Jerry by setting the standard of quality masonry for commercial, industrial and institutional buildings throughout North Central Florida, including countless buildings at the University of Florida.

Jim loved the city of Gainesville. He served his beloved community as a City Commissioner from 1990-1996 and served as mayor 1993-1996. While he was mayor, Gainesville was awarded “America’s Most Livable City” by Money Magazine. He gave of his time and talent to many organizations, including Santa Fe College Endowment Corporation, the Corporate Advisory Board for The Villages Senior Living Community, Alachua-Bradford County Workforce Development Board, the Gainesville Jaycees, the Gainesville Elks Lodge, the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Builders Association of North Central Florida, the Florida Home Builders Association, and the Girls Club of Alachua County.

He continued to advocate for his industry as the Executive Director of the Florida Concrete Masonry Education Council. Jim played a pivotal role in getting the Concrete Block Checkoff Program passed through Florida’s state legislature. He had many additional career accomplishments, such as being the first masonry contractor to receive the Florida Home Builders Association Builder of the Year Award and the Masonry Association of Florida’s Chairman’s award, both in 2013.

Jim knew no stranger. He was a public servant, a friend and confidant to many, and a tireless businessman. When he was not working, he most enjoyed spending time with his family, traveling the country, seeing the sunrise at the beach, and watching any Florida Gator game. He will be tremendously missed.

Preceding him in death were his parents Abraham and Etoile (Granny Toad) Painter as well as many beloved aunts and uncles. Jim is survived by his wife Elise Hitchcock, his brother, Jerry Painter, sister, Nancy (Michael) Clayton, daughters Alison (Graham) Glover and Page (David) Gritte and his greatest joy and inspiration, his grandchildren: Hannah Grace Glover, Graham “Gray” Glover, Jr., Caroline Jane Gritte and Henry Stewart Gritte.

A memorial service will be held in The Lyceum at Santa Fe College on Sunday, January 22, 2023, at 3:00pm. All those who wish to join in honoring Jim are welcome to attend.

A special thank you to his oncology and clinical trial teams at UF Health Gainesville and Jacksonville and especially to the MICU staff at UF Health Shands Hospital for their overwhelming commitment to helping Jim’s fight.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Jim’s memory to the Abraham and Etoile Painter Scholarship Fund at Santa Fe College, 3000 NE 83rd Street F-207, Gainesville, FL 32606 or at www.sfcollege.edu/foundation/donation. Please visit his memorial page at www.williamsthomasfuneralhome.com.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
WILLIAMS-THOMAS DOWNTOWN
352-376-7556

Posted online on January 17, 2023
Published in Gainesville Sun

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News Releases, Recent Appointments, by Staff

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of David Cerniglia, Michael “Brad” Coolidge, Danielle Larson, and Robert Melgaard and the reappointment of Rockie Jenkins, Troy Maschmeyer, William Parsons, and Mark Smith to the Florida Concrete Masonry Education Council.

David Cerniglia
Cerniglia is the Vice President and General Manager of the South Region Concrete Division of Preferred Materials Inc. He is the Chairman of the Florida Masonry Apprenticeship and Education Foundation and is a board member of the Masonry Association of Florida. Cerniglia earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from Pennsylvania State University.

Michael “Brad” Coolidge
Coolidge is the Safety and Environmental Manager of A-1 Block Corporation. He is a board member of Concrete Products Group and the Secretary and Committee Chair of Florida Independent Concrete & Associated Products, Inc. Coolidge attended Seminole State College.

Danielle Larson
Larson is the Chief Executive Officer of GBL Group. She is the State Chairman of the Masonry Contractors Association of America and a board member of the Florida Masonry Apprenticeship and Education Foundation. Larson earned her associate degree from Florida Southwestern State College.

Robert Melgaard
Melgaard is the Career & Technical Education Programs Administrator at the Florida Department of Corrections. He is a member of the Florida Masonry Apprenticeship and Education Foundation. Melgaard attended Florida Gateway College.

Rockie Jenkins
Jenkins is the Director of CEMEX Florida. He is a member of the Masonry Association of Florida, Florida Masonry Apprenticeship and Education Foundation, and the National Concrete Masonry Association. Jenkins earned his bachelor’s degree in business and economics from Trevecca Nazarene University and his master’s degree in business administration from Saint Leo University.

Troy Maschmeyer
Maschmeyer is the Chief Executive Officer of Maschmeyer Concrete Company. He is a founding member of the Florida Independent Concrete Products Association and previously served on the executive committee of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association. Maschmeyer attended Michigan State University.

William Parsons
Parsons is a Regional Vice President at Pyramid Masonry Contractors. He is the Treasurer of the Masonry Association of Florida and a member of the Central Florida Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors. Parsons earned his bachelor’s degree in construction engineering and management from Purdue University.

Mark Smith
Smith is the owner of Bell Concrete Products and Columbia Ready Mix. He is a National Ready Mixed Concrete Association Certified Sales Professional and is a past Florida Independent Concrete Products Association Producer of the Year. Smith earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Florida.

Pathway Home, Young Adult Reentry Partnership grants support education, training

​WASHINGTON, DC – With the belief that a second chance can change a person’s life, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of more than $85.5 million in grants to assist individuals now or once involved in the criminal justice system to secure employment in their communities.

The department’s Employment and Training Administration – which administers the grants – has awarded 28 grants to organizations in 17 states and Washington, D.C. The awards derive from two ETA programs, 22 in the Pathway Home program and six in Young Adult Reentry Partnership program.

“The Biden-Harris administration is committed to creating more opportunities for justice-involved individuals to complete high school and college, enter apprenticeships and share the benefits as our economy continues to recover,” said Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh. “By investing in programs to prepare these individuals for job opportunities, the Labor Department is also investing in our communities and our families.”

Pathway Home grants will support expanded services to eligible, incarcerated individuals in state correctional facilities or local jails prior- and post-release to help eliminate the gap between release and enrollment into a reentry program leading to employment. 

Young Adult Reentry Partnership grants will aid recipients in strengthening their partnerships with community colleges and link these young adults – from age 18 to 24 – now or once involved in the criminal justice system, with apprenticeships and other opportunities in their communities in growing industries including information technology, healthcare and energy.

Awards announced today are the second round of grants under the Reentry Employment Opportunities program. In July 2020, the department awarded more than $90 million in YARP and Pathway Home grants.