Recent Spotlights

Alumni Spotlight: Greg ('97) & Noah Motto ('20, '24)

You know the motto: The Osprey doesn’t fall far from The Nest. But as we prepare to celebrate Father’s Day, there are a couple more Mottos you should know about.

An alumnus of the Coggin College of Business, Greg Motto (’97) serves as the EVP, CFO and Assistant Treasurer of NASCAR. A life rooted in faith as a community leader and devoted husband and father, he watched with pride as his son Noah (’20, ‘24) crossed the same graduation stage with his accounting degree and MBA.

Originally from Orange Park, Greg didn’t have a clear path for what to do with his life, besides surfing and skating. He earned his AA at FSCJ but then transferred to UNF to elevate his prospects through the business school – while still being close to ride the waves between classes. “The experience I gained helped prepare professional growth for me,” he said. “I learned not just to complete the projects, but how to communicate the purpose, my approach, the results and most importantly what I learned and what I would do differently – this style provided leadership development that differentiated me throughout my career.”

After graduation, he was accepted to the GE Financial Management Program and served as a Financial Analyst for GE Capital. He then joined the International Speedway Corporation (ISC) in 2000, serving in a handful of positions including Financial Analyst, Assistant Controller and Director of Strategic Planning and Controller. He rose all the way to EVP, CFO and Treasurer for ISC, where he led all financial matters leading to the ISC/NASCAR merger in 2019.

Motto brings over 26 years of experience overseeing capital allocation, shareholder relations and financial planning to his current role, ensuring long-term financial stability and strength for the company and prudent strategic investment for growth. He has assembled a team to lead compliance over financial reporting, internal controls, tax, accounting, and integrated financial planning. “My goal is to ensure capital availability and financial discipline to fund strategic investments that will grow the business, this is enhanced by structuring a talented team that is balanced with technical financial expertise and the desire to advance aided by new technology.”

“I believe in sharing my experiences and talents by serving the community,” he said. He serves on the Coggin College of Business Advisory Council, finance and investment committees at Halifax Health and as an Elder and Board member at Salty Church. He currently lives in Ormond Beach with his wife, Michelle, where they raised their sons Noah and Mason.

Growing up watching his father build a career in finance played a big role in shaping Noah’s interests. He started college at FIU as a member of their football team, but stepped away to enroll in UNF’s accounting program, balancing classes with work to better fit his long-term goals.

“I commuted from Ormond Beach and worked full-time throughout my undergraduate degree,” Noah said. “The flexibility of the program made a huge difference.”

Smaller class sizes and a focus on real-world application gave him fundamentals he could build on, starting on his first day on the job. He landed an internship with James Moore & Co. during his senior year which turned into a full-time accountant role after graduation.

“The pace picks up quickly in public accounting, but the preparation I got from UNF gave me the confidence to adapt early on.”

Noah wanted a broader understanding of how businesses operate beyond accounting, so he rejoined UNF at the Graduate School. Enrolling in a couple classes per semester, he was able to apply his teachings directly to his work. He also pursued his CPA license and passed all four parts of the exam within six months.

As his career progressed, he moved from staff accountant to senior, and then into leadership roles as a tax supervisor and tax manager. He believes there’s no secret to success, just consistency. “I’ve always tried to take on responsibility early, produce high-quality work, and build strong relationships with both clients and coworkers,” he said.

After nearly six years with James Moore, he joined Solutions Group Accounting Firm, which has allowed him to grow both his technical and leadership skills, advancing from Tax Manager to Tax Director, and now, Partner. His responsibilities go beyond just technical tax work and include managing client relationships, mentoring and developing his team, and helping shape the overall direction of the firm.

Looking ahead, both Mottos are prioritizing growth and leadership. Noah is developing his team while expanding his client base and building stronger relationships, while Greg’s priorities lie in supporting the growth of NASCAR. He also has another venture on the horizon as he anticipates opening LINE-X of Daytona Beach in 2027. However, like father, like son, both continue to stay active and enjoy activities outside of work.

(Written by Alex Achorn, published 6/20/26)

Alumni Spotlight: The Courson Family

We’ve shared the other new members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, but our final one represents an additional 9 Ospreys! Patrick Courson’s (’06) family's connection to the University of North Florida spans more than four decades, three generations, and nearly every corner of the family tree.

The legacy began with Patrick's mother-in-law, Sharon Achey (’84, M.A. Social Studies). Over the years, it grew to include Patrick's brother, Rick Courson (’91, B.B.A.), sister-in-law Lisa Courson (’91, B.S.N.), wife Tara Courson (’04, B.A. Political Science), brother-in-law Travis Achey (’11, B.A. Criminal Justice), and Patrick himself (’06, B.B.A. T&L).

The next generation followed. His son Nicholas Courson (’16, B.H.A.), daughter Anastasia Courson (’21, B.A. Psychology), and daughter Lauren Courson (’26, B.B.A. Marketing) graduated from UNF. This fall, his son Trevor Courson. will begin his first semester as a mechanical engineering student, continuing a family tradition that has become woven into the fabric of their lives.

For Patrick, UNF entered the picture when he returned to Jacksonville after serving in military transportation and logistics. While working full-time and raising a family, he enrolled in the university's transportation and logistics program, attending classes in the evenings and on weekends. The degree helped him transition into the civilian transportation industry and launch a successful career in operations, sales, and executive leadership.

The Coursons have remained active members of the Osprey community. They've attended baseball and basketball games, participated in Swoop the Loop, explored the campus trails, and watched the University evolve. Now, as a member of the board, Patrick is looking forward to helping the university continue that growth.

For the Courson family, UNF has been the backdrop for graduations, game days, family traditions, and lifelong friendships. And as one Courson (Lauren) prepares to graduate, another (Trevor) begins his journey, continuing their lifelong legacy within The Nest.

(Written by Maranda Leone, Published 6/18/26)