Florida Trend chose Jim McCarthy and John Delaney for its 2021 list
Florida Trend magazine has named North Florida Land Trust President Jim McCarthy and Board Chair John Delaney in this year’s list of the 500 most influential business leaders in Florida. The publication chooses 500 people from around the state each year to include in its list. McCarthy and Delaney are two out of the 61 business leaders chosen from Northeast Florida who appear in the fourth edition of the Florida 500.
“This is a real honor to be placed on this list with some of the most influential business leaders from our area including, of course, our board chair John Delaney, Ken Babby, Ed Burr, Daniel Davis, Marty Fiorentino, David Nunes and Steve Halverson, a person I consider a mentor.” said McCarthy. “I am humbled that Florida Trend’s editorial team chose me for the list but also need to give credit to my team whose amazing work makes me look good.”
Each year, Florida Trend chooses 500 people who play an important role in shaping the state. Florida Trend states they use high standards in their yearlong effort to choose which leaders they include on the list. The selections are organized using broad economic categories from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The number of leaders in each category is reflective of the category’s share of the state GDP. They also consider a candidate’s regional and community influence.
The magazine’s yearlong effort involves every department at Florida Trend. It begins with nominations then the editorial team sends questionnaires to each nominee. Each nominee is considered whether they fill out the questionnaire or not. The magazine’s editorial team then considers the candidates through reading and informal consultations with business people all over the state. The team then makes a final decision on who they include on the list.
“This year’s Florida 500 reflects the depth and diversity of leadership talent in Florida,” said Mark Howard, Florida Trend executive director. “We have chosen people who understand the issues Florida faces and are helping to move their enterprises and their communities forward.”
About North Florida Land Trust
North Florida Land Trust is a not-for-profit organization that seeks to protect the natural resources, historic places and working lands (farms and ranches) throughout north Florida. Founded in 1999, NFLT has preserved tens of thousands of acres of land through donation or purchase of land as well as conservation easements. NFLT is funded largely by private and corporate contributions and works closely with willing landowners and public agencies at all levels of government, not-for-profit partners, and foundations.
