James P. “Jim” Schwarz is the recipient of FFLA’s 2024 President’s Award for Excellence for his outstanding service, meaningful contributions, positive and thoughtful ideas, energetic leadership and unwavering support of FFLA and its mission.
The President’s Award for Excellence recognizes outstanding work on behalf of FFLA and is awarded by the current FFLA president annually. Schwarz has served as president of Compass Development and Governance Group in Jacksonville since 1991, where he works with business and nonprofit leaders to achieve their strategic goals. He was appointed to FFLA’s board of directors as a public member in 2021. He has distinguished himself as an active board member, never turning down an assignment or request for help from committees or staff.
Schwarz has made valuable contributions to FFLA’s Investment Committee, encouraging transparency and using his corporate governance background to advise the committee. As a member of the Sustainability Committee, Schwarz helped to craft the Gift Administration Policy to establish transparent policies and procedures regarding the use of gifts received by FFLA and to contribute to the financial sustainability FFLA by retaining a small portion of gifts to pay administrative and operating expenses.
Schwarz is an Emeritus Board Member of St. Johns Riverkeeper and a member of the Memorial Park Association Board Affairs Committee in Jacksonville. He has also served on the boards of SoundWaters Environmental Education Center and the American Red Cross of Stamford.
