JAXUSA Partnership Announces 2025 Chairs
JAXUSA Partnership is thrilled to announce our 2025 Chairs. Bringing a wealth of expertise, dedication and vision to their roles, these dynamic individuals will lead the charge in advancing JAXUSA’s mission to be a catalyst for economic growth in the Jacksonville region.
With diverse backgrounds in business, community involvement and strategic leadership, this group will play a pivotal role in supporting our initiatives to create a thriving economy for all in Northeast Florida.
Abel Harding, JAXUSA Chair
EVP Jacksonville Market President
SBA Banker/Sales Leader – Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, and Sarasota,
First Horizon Bank
Abel Harding is the Jacksonville market president for First Horizon Bank. He also serves as the SBA Banker and Sales Leader for the Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, and Sarasota markets. His banking career spans three decades and includes senior roles across multiple lines of business.
Harding previously served as the director of communications for the City of Jacksonville and as a senior advisor to the Mayor of Jacksonville. Prior to his time in local government, he worked as an award-winning journalist for the Florida Times-Union covering politics and business. During this time, he served as a political commentator for NPR, and First Coast News, the local ABC and NBC affiliates.
An active member of the Jacksonville community, Harding is a member of the Jacksonville Civic Council, an organization comprised of the city’s leading business leaders. He serves on the board of trustees for the Cummer Museum and is a long-time board member of JAX Chamber.
During his time in Jacksonville, Harding has been involved with numerous non-profit organizations, including as chair of the board of the Cultural Council of Jacksonville, co-founder of the United Way’s Atlantic Circle Society, chair of Leadership Jacksonville’s selection committee, and as a mayoral appointee to the Duval County Planning Commission and the Jacksonville Transportation Authority. Harding is a 2013 graduate of Leadership Jacksonville and a 2022 graduate of Leadership Florida.
Harding is a graduate of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. He is a seventh-generation Floridian and resides in Atlantic Beach.
Madelen Salter, Business Development Chair
Market President, Office Images
Madelen Salter is Market President for Office Images. The Haworth dealership provides furniture and architectural solutions and workplace consulting nationwide to clients in commercial, government, education, and healthcare industries.
A highly respected business, sales and community leader, Salter’s leadership experience spans strategic development and execution, change management, workplace planning, communications strategy, client experience and stakeholder engagement. At Office Images, Salter is focused on business development and market expansion, talent development and leading innovation regarding the workplace of the future.
Salter serves on the JAX Chamber Board of Directors, the JAXUSA Partnership Policy Council and as the 2025-26 JAXUSA Partnership Business Development Committee Chair. She serves on the Leadership Jacksonville Board of Directors, the Build Up Downtown Board of Directors, the San Marco Preservation Society Board of Directors, and the ULI Center for Leadership. Salter serves on Solomon Coyle Advisory Council and on the American Heart Association Heart Ball Executive Leadership Team. She is a former American Heart Association Leader for Life, an alumna of Elevate Women Northeast Florida, and was named Professional Business Woman of the Year by the JAX Chamber’s Jacksonville Women’s Business Center. Salter has a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University.
Zoe Astra, Talent Development Chair
Talent Acquisition Leader, GuideWell
Zoe has led the development and execution of Talent Acquisition and Engagement Strategies with a focus on developing programs and capabilities that advance the team’s ability to quickly identify, engage, and ultimately acquire the talent that GuideWell needs. Some of the programs that Zoe leads include the GuideWell Enterprise Internship Program, Candidate Experience, Pre-Boarding for New Hires, Community and College Career Fair Events, Recruitment Marketing and the Employee Referral Program.
Harrison Conyers, Military Issues Chair
Director of Military Affairs and Veterans Department, City of Jacksonville
Harrison Conyers was first appointed by Mayor John Delaney as a Management and Planning Analyst for Community Services in January 1996 and also served as the Deputy Director of Quality Services for the Jacksonville Children’s Commission from 1997-2005.
As the Director, Military Affairs and Veterans Department, he serves as military liaison to all military commands in Duval County for the City of Jacksonville and the strategic advisor to the Mayor on matters related to the military.
Additionally, he supervises the Jacksonville Veterans Resource and Reintegration Center. Harrison is responsible for citywide military/Veterans’ special events such as: Memorial Day Observance, Veterans Day Breakfast, Mayor’s Base Commander’s Quarterly Meetings, and military appreciation events. He coordinates corporate and community financial development that funds all department special events and social services trust fund. He serves as the COJ representative to the Florida Defense Alliance, Florida Defense Support Task Force, and Chamber of Commerce Military Issues Committee. Harrison is responsible for the acquisition and coordination of $3.0 million + in infrastructure, reinvestment, and social services grants. He is the liaison with United States Navy on base encroachment protection efforts, with over 1700 acres protected.
Harrison graduated from Robert E. Lee Senior High School, as well as graduating from Stetson University with a BA in History. He is a 2001 graduate of Leadership Jacksonville. His community service also includes having served as President of the Meninak Club, a Commissioner of Keep Jacksonville Beautiful, Vice President of Crosswalk Community Church as well as numerous other civic organizations. In 2019, Harrison was awarded a lifetime membership in the Vietnam Veterans of America, one of only two nationally to be so awarded. In 2020, the Department of the Navy Awarded Harrison the Meritorious Public Service medal, the Navy’s third highest civilian recognition. The Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve presented the Seven Seals Award to Harrison in 2024.