Economic Development
As a former Navy jet mechanic and naval aviation officer, Jennifer knows a thing or two about airplanes. That's why in 2011 shortly after taking office as Lieutenant Governor, Embraer approached her to help pitch their Tucano Super T airplane to the Air Force to be considered for the Air Force Light Air Support contract. Over the past two years as Lt. Governor, Jennifer wrote support letters, made numerous speeches, lobbied members of Congress, worked with the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, appeared in promotional videos, and even testified before the International Trade Commission in Washington DC to support Embraer and Jacksonville in their efforts to win this vital contract. Thanks in part to Jennifer’s tenacity and hard work Embraer won this contract. This contract added 50 new jobs high wage jobs in Jacksonville and 300 new manufacturing jobs for the First Coast in the long run.
Jennifer was also instrumental to Governor Scott’s increased focus on foreign trade. In November of 2011 she led an Enterprise Florida Trade Mission to South Africa. The 39 person delegation’s work on this mission led to $40 million in new trade between Florida and South Africa. Jennifer’s meetings with officials during the South Africa trade mission included an array of topics to include South Africa opening a consulate in Miami, direct flights from South Africa to Miami, opening U.S. markets for the food and beverage sector, trade expansion, expansion of agricultural products, tourism, hospitality economic development, job and skills training and specifically, women business ownership. Additional discussion included South Africa establishing a diplomatic presence in Florida and setting up a sister City/State agreement with Florida.
In August of 2012 Jennifer led an Enterprise Florida Trade Mission to Trinidad and Tobago that yielded $30 million in trade between the nations. During this visit to Trinidad and Tobago, Jennifer was invited by the United States Department of State’s Bureau of International Information Programs to travel the nation and lecture on the U.S. presidential election process.
Jennifer helps launch DHL jobs expansion in Miami
Jennifer meets with Carribbean Shipping Associaton to discuss export opportunities
Jennifer cuts the ribbon for the jobs expansion of Custom Control Solutions, Inc.
who manufactures A3 Test Stand for NASA
Jennifer hosts economic summit with Chamber President Harry Alford and Wayne Huinzenger Jr.
Jennifer speaks with business leaders in Clay County to encourage business development
Jennifer speaks about women business ownership to South African Businesswomen Group
Jennifer tours AET Solar in Green Cove Springs, FL where she secured funding for access road way for this company to expand
Jennifer breaks ground on the Air Force Technical Application Center at Patrick AFB. This $158M MILCON project will be built by Hensel Phelps Construction of Orlando. This facility would essentially make Florida the Nuclear watchdog of the world without having to travel off the Space Coast. Construction began in 2012 and provided up to 900 construction jobs and will add 100 new permanent Air Force jobs after construction.
As key note speaker Jennifer delivered remarks on international trade at the American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad & Tobago
Jennifer discusses export and port operations with Transnet in South Africa
Jennifer discusses trade barriers with Minister Vasant Bharath during trade mission to Trinidad
Jennifer speaks in Azerbaijan about economic exchanges