Beaches Habitat for Humanity recently welcomed local executives and business leaders to the build site for its annual CEO Build, a hands-on day of service where leaders stepped away from their offices and onto the construction site to help build safe, affordable housing for a local family.

CEO Build is a powerful opportunity for leaders from across the Jacksonville Beaches business community to trade their desks for hard hats. Together, these executives worked side by side raising walls, swinging hammers and strengthening connections, all while demonstrating their shared commitment to affordable housing and a thriving local economy.

In our community, one in five families must choose between paying for a safe home or covering essential needs like groceries, health care or transportation. CEO Build gives business leaders the opportunity to take meaningful action, helping create stability and opportunity for a local family while setting an example of service and collaboration that inspires others across Northeast Florida.

“This day shows what’s possible when our business community comes together for something bigger than themselves,” said Steve Gilbert, CEO of Beaches Habitat for Humanity. “These leaders are not only investing in housing — they are investing in stronger families and a stronger community.”

This year’s CEO Build brought together a group of companies committed to making a difference, including:

Dynamic Core Capital — Brent Paris

Landstar — Frank Lonegro

Whiting Turner Contracting — Jeff McPaul

Harbor View Advisors — Carolyn Mathis

Ameris Bank — Paul Ferrara

Blue Ocean — Justin Cerrato

McGarvey Residential Communities — Sean McGarvey

Hueman People Solutions — Terri Cohen

Pinnacle Financial Partners — Bryan Taylor

Momentum Transportation — David Hoppens

Southern Brothers Inspections — Raymond Zalusky

Waycross Partners, LLC — Chris Greco

RezLegal — George McCaughan

Through their participation, these companies helped move construction forward while demonstrating the power of corporate leadership and community partnership.

Beaches Habitat for Humanity builds strength, stability and self-reliance through affordable homeownership. Events like CEO Build play a critical role in bringing the community together to ensure more local families have access to safe and stable housing.

To learn more about Beaches Habitat for Humanity or to get involved, go to www.beacheshabitat.org.