Introduced by Council Members Fussell, Bishop, Clark, Corrigan, Davis, Gaffney, Graham, Holt, Hyde, Jabour, Johnson, M. Jones, W. Jones, Joost, Lee, Redman, Shad, Webb and Yarborough:
RESOLUTION 2008-32
A RESOLUTION HONORING AND CONGRATULATING W.W. “BILL” GAY OF W.W. GAY MECHANICAL CONTRACTOR, INC. ON BEING NAMED AN “ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR” BY ERNST AND YOUNG LLP; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, for the past 21 years, Ernst and Young LLP, an internationally-known accounting and consulting firm, has named an Entrepreneur of the Year in each of nine industry categories to recognize and honor outstanding entrepreneurs who are “building and leading dynamic and growing businesses”; and
WHEREAS, in December 2007, Ernst and Young named W.W. “Bill” Gay, the founder and CEO of W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractor, Inc. of Jacksonville, as the Entrepreneur of the Year in the Real Estate, Hospitality and Construction category; and
WHEREAS, Bill Gay, a native Floridian and a Jacksonville resident since 1939, is a veteran of military service in World War II, after which he worked part time for the Henley and Beckwith mechanical contracting company while pursuing his degree in engineering at the University of Florida; and
WHEREAS, after earning his bachelor’s degree in 1949, Mr. Gay became a full-time employee of the company until 1962 when, with his employer’s blessing and assistance, he left to form his own mechanical contracting company; and
WHEREAS, over the past 45 years W.W. Gay has grown into one of the top ten mechanical contractors by revenue in the nation and, emulating the example of his first employer, has provided capital and support to two dozen other entrepreneurs to help them start businesses of their own; and
WHEREAS, Bill Gay has long been an outstanding civic leader in Jacksonville, supporting countless civic, educational, cultural and sporting institutions and events with his and his company’s vigorous leadership, active involvement and extremely generous financial contributions; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Jacksonville:
Section 1. That the City hereby honors and congratulates W.W. “Bill” Gay on being named an Entrepreneur of the Year for 2007 by Ernst and Young LLP, and thanks Mr. Gay and all of the employees of W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractors, Inc. for all they have done to make the Jacksonville community a better place to live and work. Their generosity and civic commitment are a shining example of outstanding corporate citizenship, and the citizens of Jacksonville are grateful for all they do.
Section 2. Effective Date. This Resolution shall become effective upon signature by the Mayor or upon becoming effective without the Mayor's signature.
Form Approved:
____/s/ Margaret M. Sidman______
Office of General Counsel
Legislation Prepared By: Jeff Clements, City Council Research
G:\SHARED\LEGIS.CC\2008\res\WWGay Entrepreneur of the Year res.doc
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