Recent Spotlights
Road to Osperity: Michael Danhour ('02)
"A river cuts through rock not because of its power but because of its persistence."
What drives someone to keep pushing forward in pursuit of lasting value? This month's spotlight features the determined alum Michael Danhour ('02), CEO of Danhour Group, J&W Family of Brands, Land Investment Association, and Black Creek Ranch.
When looking at colleges, Danhour wanted a place where he could make the most of his education. UNF's tight-knit community (and its proximity to the beach) caught his eye. While he earned a bachelor's degree in corporate finance, his professors instilled crucial skills in critical thinking, discipline and analysis. He was also involved in theatre productions and joined Lambda Chi Alpha.
Danhour anticipated a career in stock trading or a similar field, but when the U.S. fell into a recession, he landed a spot with Parker Associates, a real estate development consulting firm, after graduation. With an inspiring mentor, he quickly earned a Senior Associate role. That experience pushed him to excel in other career avenues.
Starting in 2005, Danhour's leadership opportunities skyrocketed. He became President of Southeastern Land Company and Vice President of Itera Timberlands. He also worked as Chief Operating Officer at J. Henderson Company, and Executive Vice President at Makai Ranch and RCA Trade Center. Along the way, he learned how to succeed in complex market environments.
Eventually, Danhour wanted to try something new: complete control of—and responsibility for—his own future. He saw upside in equity and ownership, and in 2016, founded the Danhour Group. While the responsibilities were demanding, he found the complete autonomy to organize business strategies to be extremely rewarding. Even when the market threw uppercuts, he patiently persevered and continued to build his multi-million-dollar enterprise.
With an insatiable drive, he started looking for other opportunities and bought the old J&W Discount Store in Murray Hill with the hopes of turning it around. Between licenses and inspections, it became one of his most challenging ventures. Despite getting everything up to code, they remained in the red, so he worked with consultants to set up an e-commerce division to sell the products online. When the pandemic forced more people to do their shopping from home, the business took off. His nugget of wisdom is simple: “nothing beats constant dedication and improvement over time.”
Outside of work, Danhour enjoys making memories with his wife and two sons, playing music, and spending time at his ranch and in Crystal River. He is involved locally serving as Treasurer for LaVilla School of the Arts Theatre Boosters and volunteers for various nonprofits.
Invest in the Nest: Dr. Gigi Morales David ('89, '06)
Big dreams start with tiny footsteps. This month's #InvestInTheNest features alumna Dr. Gigi Morales David (’89, ’06), Director of the UNF Preschool under the UNF Silverfield College of Education and Human Services.
Dr. G earned both her master's and doctorate from the UNF Graduate School. Her award-winning dissertation focused on arts-based family engagement in pre-kindergarten education. Before her current role, she served as an education consultant, professor, and intern supervisor. She has also shared the impact of her arts-integration course with the Ortega Museum Studies School at The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) conference.
Dr. G's undergraduate studies at JU sparked her interest in art, psychology, and education. Working at a local preschool showed her how those passions could come together. "I loved being around young children,” she recalled. “Seeing their faces light up, watching them create things, and supporting their ideas—I wanted to facilitate that creativity.”
Her Cuban heritage strongly influenced her career path. Her mother encouraged higher education; her father modeled a strong work ethic, and her grandfather nurtured writing. This later pushed her to expand her impact beyond the classroom, serving fifteen years at San Jose Episcopal Day School as a teacher then as an administrator.
That commitment to putting children first continued through her director roles at Episcopal Children's Services and Friendship Public Charter Schools, leading her to embrace the Reggio Emilia Approach. This philosophy encourages teachers to partner with artists-in-residence and use diverse materials to support children's self-expression.
Guided by its motto, “As young Ospreys explore, they learn to soar,” the Preschool embraces a Reggio-inspired, STEAM-focused curriculum that encourages inquiry and hands-on exploration. Dr. G and her lead teachers meet weekly to plan nature-based studies that grow from children's questions and interests.
Dr. G works to provide an engaging learning environment through materials, services, and projects that support each child's growth. Staff document student learning, present at professional conferences, and help organize an annual art exhibition at MOCA Jacksonville featuring more than 300 pieces of children's work.
For those interested in early childhood education, she describes it as meaningful work that shapes lives. “From birth to age five, 90% of brain development is complete. You can help children develop confidence, positive self-identity, and build the infrastructure for long-term success,” she explained. “I want to create a culture where we help our youngest citizens become strong communicators, innovative problem solvers, kind and helpful stewards of the natural environment.”
Outside of work, Dr. G enjoys writing, hiking, and spending time with her grandson Charlie. This December, Dr. G's team will present “Snapshots of Success” at the NAEYC conference in Washington, DC.
Invest in the Nest: Angie LeRoy (’11)
When Dr. Angie LeRoy ’11 transferred to UNF in 2009, she wanted to better understand the human experience. As a psychology student, she became fascinated by the overlap between emotional and physical pain and found a supportive environment where she could pursue undergraduate research and learn from faculty mentors who would help shape her future career.
After earning her Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2011, Dr. LeRoy continued her research journey through graduate studies at the University of Houston. Building on the foundation she developed at UNF, she focused her work on loss, grief and bereavement, studying how major life experiences can affect both mental and physical health. Her research eventually led her to explore the experiences of individuals coping with the loss of a spouse or partner and the ways those experiences influence overall well-being.
Today, Dr. LeRoy has returned to UNF as a faculty member, where she leads the HEAL Lab (Studying HEalth Across the Lifespan). The lab focuses on understanding how people experience loss and aging, with a particular interest in supporting caregivers of loved ones living with dementia. In 2022, she received a five-year career development award from the National Institutes of Health to further her research and training in aging and caregiving.
Through the HEAL Lab, Dr. LeRoy and her students are working to create tools that support people experiencing different forms of grief. One of the lab's current projects involves testing an app-based mental health intervention for spouses caring for partners living with dementia. The goal is not only to support caregivers' emotional well-being, but also to better understand how these tools may influence overall health during stressful life experiences.
Equally important to Dr. LeRoy is creating opportunities for students. The HEAL Lab brings together undergraduate, graduate and post-baccalaureate students to gain hands-on experience in research, data collection, data analysis, grant writing, scientific publishing and conference presentations. She is especially passionate about helping students understand how research skills can be applied both in academia and in industry, particularly as technology and digital health tools continue to evolve.
Dr. LeRoy also sees tremendous potential for UNF students to contribute innovative ideas and solutions. She hopes to continue building opportunities that connect research, technology and real-world impact while helping students develop the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
Her advice to students is to seek out research experiences, stay persistent and don't be discouraged by setbacks. The hands-on experience gained through research can open doors, provide clarity and shape future career paths in unexpected ways.
(Written by Maranda Leone, published 9/24/26)
Road to Osperity: Robert Peek (’05)
What is it like to play a pivotal role operating the largest port in Florida? This month’s spotlight gives us a sneak peek at the journey and legacy of alumnus Robert Peek (’05), Chief Commercial Officer of JAXPORT.
Growing up in a military family – his father serving 36 years in the US Navy – Peek moved from city to city, but the years his father spent stationed at NAS JAX planted the seeds for Robert’s eventual return. After graduating from high school in Italy, he wanted to return to the States for college, so he enrolled at Colorado State University, where the size, professors and international students felt like home. After graduation, he grew tired of the cold winters and missed the sand beneath his feet, so he packed up everything in his Toyota Corona and drove down to Florida to pursue his passion for journalism.
Headed down I75 to visit the Keys, the Corona broke down in Port Charlotte. While the car was at the mechanic, he killed time by visiting the local newspaper, Charlotte Sun Herald, hoping to get some feedback on his portfolio. After an hour chatting with the managing editor, Peek was offered a job as a News Reporter before leaving the parking lot.
His next opportunity took him to Jacksonville as the Public Information Officer for the St. Johns River Water Management District, where he spent the next five years. While reading the Florida Times-Union Sunday paper, he stumbled upon a WANT AD for a communications coordinator role at JAXPORT.
While in his new role, he had always wanted to return to school to earn an MBA when he bumped into Dr. Henry Thomas, UNF Chair of Public Administration. Dr. Thomas convinced him to consider an MPA, as it’s tailored to people in the public sector. Peek believes the MPA program set him up for success, sharpening his critical thinking and problem-solving skills by covering case studies of real-world problems.
Peek has five rules of employment: He wants to enjoy the role, continue learning, work alongside good people, have opportunities to advance, and contribute positively to his community. He found all five at JAXPORT, so he’s remained with the company for 31 years. One advanced degree and five promotions later, he’s elevated to his current role of CCO.
“Work hard, keep a positive attitude and always do your best,” he says is his formula for success.
JAXPORT owns and manages the City of Jacksonville’s public cargo and cruise seaport facilities, and Peek leads the marketing and sales office, working to attract new business to our port from all over the world. Even with his title, he still does a lot of writing and presenting, as his unit works on strategic business development plans and travels to meet with current and prospective customers. The most enjoyable part of the job for him is the constant learning. International trade and shipping are always evolving as ships get bigger, information moves faster, and systems are more complex than ever.
He still loves his job, but he recognizes there’s a big world outside the port – so he has announced plans to retire from JAXPORT in October 2027. “There’s something exciting about doing something completely new,” he says. In the meantime, though, his next challenge is in his personal life, as he continues to run a 5K each month, aiming to shave off seconds to set a new personal record.
(Written by Alex Achorn, published 10/8/26)
Alumni Spotlight: Kara Wade Tucker (’06)
Kara Wade Tucker ('06) has spent her career removing barriers for others as Jacksonville's Chief of Disabled Services, but long before that, she was a first-generation student at the University of North Florida, learning what it meant to serve a community.
When Kara arrived at The Nest, she was looking for an education close to home. What she found was a place that helped her discover who she wanted to become. Through her sociology studies, she developed a deeper understanding of advocacy, inclusion and the systems that shape people's lives. Just as importantly, she found mentors who saw potential in her before she fully saw it in herself.
Outside the classroom, Kara embraced campus life. She spent time with friends, got involved in organizations and enjoyed the natural beauty that continues to define the UNF experience.
While she always knew she wanted a career centered around helping others, Kara did not envision the exact path her life would take. Working with students with disabilities, serving on the City of Neptune Beach Government City Council and finding new ways to advocate for her community, each opportunity led to another. Along the way, she discovered that her personal experiences could become one of her greatest strengths.
Living with cerebral palsy, Kara has experienced both barriers and opportunities firsthand. That perspective now comes to use in her current role, where she advocates for accessibility, inclusion and equal opportunity for people with disabilities. Whether improving ADA compliance, building community partnerships or creating programs like the Disability and Adaptive Recreation Expo, her goal is simple: make Jacksonville a place where everyone can thrive.
Kara credits much of her philosophy to lessons she learned at UNF. As a student, she believed leadership was tied to titles. Today, she understands it more as serving others, building relationships and helping people succeed.
That commitment to service is why, twenty years after graduating, Kara remains involved with UNF as a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. For her, creating positive change has never been about a single job title or accomplishment; it's about leaving every community she touches better than she found it.
(Written by Maranda Leone, published 8/25/26)