Phil Mobley's passion is helping young people and the results of his
work can be seen around Jacksonville. Mobley, for example, started a
summer night basketball league on Jacksonville's north side. More than
175 youths participated in the program not only “keeping them off the
streets” but teaching leadership and team building skills, according to
Mobley.
His commitment to youth extends to numerous
community boards and organizations. He is chair of OneJax, formerly the
National Conference for Community & Justice, an organization
promoting understanding and respect among people of different races. He
is also on the board of Hope Haven Children's Clinic and Family Center
and helps with Florida Family Support Services in Jacksonville.
Mobley's
talent working with organizations sprouted at UNF where he graduated in
1975 with a degree in mathematics. “It was a great time to come to UNF
because everything was in its infancy. Organizations like Student
Government were forming. It gave me the experience of coming to a place
and seeing the need to get involved. The experience at UNF helped me
see how to create and maintain an organization.”
The
strong bond between students and faculty was another factor Mobley
recalls. “The faculty cared about us and kept teaching until we got it.”
The
training must have been good because Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
Florida hired him three months before he graduated. He started as a
junior programmer and has since worked on every major IT project at
BCBSF. He is now a director in the IT area.
Mobley has
maintained ties to UNF. While both he and his wife are alumni, Mobley
also has served as president of the UNF Alumni Association.
Other
organizations benefiting from Mobley's talents include Northside Church
of Christ and its outreach arm, Northside Community Involvement Inc.,
the Jacksonville Urban League and Edward Waters College where he has
conducted technical workshops for disadvantaged youths.
From
the basketball court to special workshops, Mobley is an outstanding
example of UNF alum making a difference in the community.
