Empowering Jacksonville: Celebrating the Legacy of Philanthropist Pam Paul | Mikes on Mic

[00:00:01] Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike. Mikes on Mic, a conversation about politics, government, and Jacksonville, with 50-year opinion leaders Mike Hightower, Mike Tolbert, and award-winning broadcaster and longtime political observer, Mike Miller. During an entire lifetime, it's rare to meet someone whose fingerprints are all over the Jacksonville community in the best possible ways.

[00:00:26] Through philanthropy, volunteerism, and decades of civic and political engagement. Today, we're going to be talking about that wonderful life and the contributions of Pam Paul. And before we finish, we'll also have a chance to talk to Pam herself. The three Mikes have known and loved Pam for decades. For Tolbert, it goes back to the days of Jake Godbold. For Hightower, it starts walking the halls in Tallahassee and Washington.

[00:00:51] And with Pam and I, it all started in the Delaney administration as we both served on his senior staff. We've benefited from her wisdom and watched along with many others as she's led and worked tirelessly to make Jacksonville better for us all. That's been her mission. Recently, more than 500 community leaders attended an event in Pam's honor, hosted by the Florida House, where she was presented the Florida House Impact Award by our own Mike Hightower.

[00:01:18] Mike also introduced a video at the event where former Mayors John Delaney and John Payton, along with former Sheriff Nat Glover, Judge Audrey Moran, and business leader Michael Munns talk about their relationships with Pam and her wonderful life. Hello, everyone. I'm Audrey Moran, and I am so happy to be here with so many good friends and community leaders as we honor the wonderful Pam Paul.

[00:01:46] I have with me today Mayor John Payton. Hello, Mayor. I have Sheriff Nat Glover. We have Mayor John Delaney and Michael Munns, who is the CEO of Munns Family Holdings. But no one I know has worked harder for this city than Pam Paul. She has a servant heart, and she is someone who has touched each of our lives in very significant ways.

[00:02:09] I'll first point out what's in front of me, which is a bowl full of peanut M&Ms, and that is somewhat of a trademark of Pam Paul's. Why were those peanut M&Ms important, Mayor? She liked people to pop in and kind of have a reason to just stick their head in and grab a handful of them, and she could take stock of what was going on when that happened. So was that important for you, for the team, or both? Both.

[00:02:34] And Pam had a really unique role under Mayor Ed Austin, and then also when you and I were there. We joked she was a dollar a year, but I don't think we ever gave her the dollar. But she had an office in the old City Hall building on the river, but also in the current City Hall building, the St. James Building. And that's really unique. I don't know if that's ever really happened, where you've got a full-time volunteer. She sat in on staff meetings, was involved when we had retreats to kick ideas around, and she's one of those people I call that she's all give and no take. It was all just what's going to make Jacksonville better.

[00:03:04] That was kind of her prime directive was that. Certainly an authentic love for the city, no doubt about it. Sheriff Glover, Pam Paul was very significant in Newtown, which was part of Edward Waters College and its campus when you were president there. Tell us about that. Pam and I worked on the Newtown project together. And what I was so impressed with, we were working in a neighborhood that was, you know,

[00:03:34] kind of the type of neighborhoods I worked in as a patrol officer. You know, I mean, it wasn't in the best condition structurally. But I tell you, the thing that impressed me so much is because when we went out in the neighborhood, and I mean, we would drive around and stop and speak to some of the kids that were hanging out,

[00:04:02] should be in school and that kind of thing. She was right there. It was almost like, I mean, this is my partner. She got my back, you know, and it was so genuine. Mayor Payton, I see you've got a book bag with you here today. It is. Is there a connection to Pam on that? You know, there is a connection. So, but let me go back. I met Pam, I think in 1991. She spoke to our leadership Jacksonville class.

[00:04:32] And that was when I had my first impression of this woman who had moved to Jacksonville from, you know, the high society life in New York. And it just poured herself into our city. And like John said, just giving, giving, giving, not expecting anything in return. And then, of course, got to know her better on the Mayor Delaney campaign. But it wasn't until I was elected that I really needed her help because she really is the champion for children in Jacksonville.

[00:05:00] We ran on a theme of early childhood literacy. And that was coming from this huge response in all of our research that education was the number one concern in Jacksonville. And so we locked in on something thanks to Adam Herbert and his team and the recommendation that we thought it's a place we make a difference. And so Pam was one of the first people we reached out to. She was probably one of the first to show up right after the election and just rolled up her sleeves

[00:05:25] and was every step of the way helpful as we rolled out the book club, but not just the book club, but trying to transform their early learning centers from custodial care to learning care and make an impact that way. So we forged a great relationship. I guess three mayors. She served really closely at City Hall. I don't know anyone else who's done that in a volunteer capacity. And a lot of things she did for us were really not known or will ever be known.

[00:05:52] And just the friendships, the personal relationships that she fostered, the dedication, the example she set was a huge impact on our administration for eight years. I know for your eight years, and Mayor Austin, I'm sure, would say the same thing. Just following up, John, she always used to say, and I imagine it was the same with you, her friends didn't understand what she was doing. Yeah. You know, what was her job? And it was kind of hard to convey, but it was just this gentle persuasion and just would kind of guide you that way.

[00:06:21] But her big focus was kids, you know, in kind of the sense that that's the future. That's the future of the town. We need to improve their lives. Michael, tell us a little bit about your longstanding relationship with Pam and give us a little bit more background on this advocacy for children. Oh, gosh. Which she has done for the 67 years she's lived in Jacksonville. Advocacy for children and also advocacy for Jacksonville, because I think they link so well together.

[00:06:48] But for me, I had just come back to Jacksonville when John was running to be the campaign manager. And my life prior to that was purely political. There were a group of people, including Pam, that said, it's time for you to transition from politics and understand your community. And Pam really helped guide me through that transition, which is a tough transition from a political to really focusing on things.

[00:07:14] And one of the things that I got added to my portfolio, thanks to you, was the Children's Commission. I liaison from the mayor's office to the Children's Commission. And I was able to see how Pam, I still call her today, the mother of the Children's Commission. When she was fighting for Jacksonville to properly fund children's programs, I always like to say I had a front row seat at history.

[00:07:37] And I got to watch her wield the council into creating, through an ordinance of Children's Commission, the book club, all the programs that funds. And I learned from Pam also the importance of philanthropy. She's the one who really sat me down and said, if you're going to have an impact in Jacksonville, it's not because you're the richest person and that you can write the biggest check. But it's how you take care of those in need. And you do that through the nonprofit and philanthropic world.

[00:08:07] And I think I think that's right. I try to spend as much time with her personally. She was just passionate for the causes that she advocated. And she was an example for me. And and I can tell you, you no matter how old you get, you learn from people like that. You know, Sheriff, it's funny. You just said something that made me think.

[00:08:32] Pam was probably one of the most politically influential people in the last how many decades? But she wasn't political. Right. She wielded her ability to create change and she would walk the halls of Tallahassee. She walked the halls of Washington, D.C. And and that's when women weren't doing that. Oh, she was the first to do in so many ways. And the politicians would not say no to her.

[00:09:02] She had a way of that sort of Southern ability to also be very powerful at the same time. And before they knew it, they were passing legislation and funding programs that live on today. Right. Well, the idea was on the courthouse in the library, a design competition, which I had never heard of before,

[00:09:23] which is where you actually pay a group of architects, different firms to come back and build a model of the building that they wanted to build. And you paid them because it took them a lot of energy and time to go in and make the model, but also do the design. But she led a team to Nashville to look at. She did. We flew to Nashville. She sure did. Exactly. So, yeah, I'd forgotten about that, actually. Yeah. You'd use words unflappable and calm. Yeah.

[00:09:50] You know, and when she was advocating for beautiful buildings to come out of better Jacksonville, she wasn't pounding the table and yelling and screaming. She would very quietly look at us like, but why wouldn't we want the best? Yeah. Yeah. Why wouldn't we want the best? Yeah. And, of course, that's, again, a signature Pam, right? She wanted the best for children. She wanted the best for Jacksonville. And she was going to do whatever it took. Right. To make that happen. Right.

[00:10:17] I think if history is recorded correctly, I think you have to put Pam in a category where there were ceilings that maybe she didn't break, but she cracked. And others came later and broke them. But it was the Pam Pauls of this city that just cracked some of those ceilings so that they can be broken.

[00:10:47] And I think we should characterize her in a way and make certain that it speaks to her pioneering because she was convincing. Yeah. Yeah. Persuasive. But she would get those things done when others couldn't because she was Pam Paul. Audrey, what about your experience with Pam? Do you even remember the first time you met her? I do.

[00:11:15] I remember Ed Austin walking her down to my office. Yes. I was a city council liaison at that point in time. And he said, I want you to meet Pam Paul. She's going to lead our issues related to children. And I thought, OK, well, this will be interesting. Let's see. And immediately, you know, you can't be with Pam too long before you fall in love with her. I mean, she's so authentic and so real and so giving.

[00:11:40] And it was clear to me that she was in this only to help that I thought, wow, this is somebody I'm going to really enjoy getting to know. And what, 35 years later, I still am so proud to call her my friend. And so proud that we are honoring her here this evening and getting a chance to reminisce about the way she's changed our city and the way she's influenced each of us. Yeah. We're all very, very lucky to know her.

[00:12:08] I think how she balanced it all was quite amazing. And we're lucky that the family shared her with us. Absolutely right. And I wish everybody in Jacksonville could get to see and understand their lives are better here because of a woman they maybe have never met or heard of. And that's the way she wanted wants it to. She's not one to say, I need to be up for an award. So last thing it's how can I make things better? Very right.

[00:12:38] Well, let me let me just say I'm a great advocate of leadership. As a matter of fact, I teach leadership. And one of the things I teach is that you do not give false praise. When I look at this panel and listen to the comments made by Pam Paul, they're not exaggerated. They're sincere and they are accurate. And she has had that kind of impact.

[00:13:07] I hope somewhere in history that we talk about people who had an impact. Maybe they were not the mayor or the sheriff or even a city council person. But they had an impact. Pam Paul would fit in that category. Bravo. I'm saying that this is a great day for a person who deserved it.

[00:13:37] Mike Hightower and I were there, of course. And would you help us, Mike, understand what this event was all about and the award and why you got involved? Let me get a little bit of background. The name of this event was Building the Future, Jacksonville's Next Chapter. An evening reception and conversation celebrating leadership. That's Pam Paul. Innovation, opportunities and growth in the future of Jacksonville.

[00:14:01] And that event honored Pam Paul referred to beautifully as the First Coast Philanthropist. Real quick, Florida House, by the way, is Florida has the only embassy in Washington, D.C. So we are the of the 50 states. Florida has the only embassy. And so this award was presented to Pam by the board of trustees, particularly our region this time.

[00:14:29] And even our national chair of the trustees was there to help celebrate this incredible evening with Pam Paul. It was just an incredible evening. We did have a little bit of rain that night. So over 500 people, which started out as sort of as a reception, almost ended up to be a dinner because everybody was locked inside for almost an hour.

[00:14:52] So it became just a family reunion and an incredible evening for 500 people to spend the evening with our own Pam Paul. It was great. It was great. By the way, we all, as I mentioned earlier, have worked alongside of Pam, of course, and have been fortunate to know her. Now, for transparency purposes, I do need to tell everybody, and we're so proud and so pleased, Pam has been a supporter and a fan of Mike's on Mike ever since the beginning. That goes back to July 2023.

[00:15:22] And we've all got stories. And, Mr. Tilbert, you've got an interesting one to tell. Yeah, we all do have stories, and they are wonderful. Pam, first of all, we love you, and it's so good to see you. Mine goes back to the Godbold administration. As you'll recall, Mayor Godbold negotiated a deal for Michael Jackson and the Victory Cure to come to Jacksonville for three straight concerts in the Gator Bowl back in 1984.

[00:15:53] And there were over 45,000 people at each one of those concerts. In the process of negotiating for that deal, he got Michael Jackson's people to agree to give 700 tickets to underprivileged children in Jacksonville a night for each one of those concerts. Well, guess who was in charge of making sure those kids got on buses, selected who those kids were, I would assume,

[00:16:18] got on buses, got to the Gator Bowl, got fed their dinner, got their drinks, got them out of the Gator Bowl, got them back home for the time of their lives. I know they had it, and they were there. And Pam was there in the street. She wasn't up somewhere giving orders out. She was there directing traffic and making sure it went well three straight nights.

[00:16:41] And I think that was my first encounter with her kindness, her drive, and her love of children, her passion for children. But I'll never forget that. Yeah. Well, let me first put it. I met Pam Paul in the spring of 1982. I had just gone to work for Blue Cross Blue Shield as their chief lobbyist in Tallahassee. I did know where to park my car, but that's about all.

[00:17:09] And so I'm in Tallahassee, and I am, you know, representing the largest health insurer in the state. It's a little awesome to begin with. And I'm walking the halls thinking I know what I'm doing. And I go into this office, and the first office I walk to is Pam Paul is sitting there waiting to see a state senator. So we have this conversation, and I let her know that I'm from Jacksonville, and we got into this discussion.

[00:17:37] And so all of a sudden is, for whatever reason, we both got called into the senator's office at the same time. Now, I didn't know she was there about children's issues. I was there about Blue Cross and health issues.

[00:17:51] And I have to tell you is, she took over that meeting, made sure that the senator knew what I was there for, talked as if we had been friends for a gazillion years, talked about what a great person I was, what a great person that Blue Cross was there, talked about why they should be supporting Blue Cross. And then she got into the issue of children's issue. And I don't think that the senator, he got two for the price of one. I think he just rolled back on his heels.

[00:18:19] And all I remember was he was very nice to me. But as we got up and left, he wanted to say to Pam Paul, I really want you to come back and talk more about these children issues. I can talk about Hightower later on, but I want to hear about these children issues. So we fast forward about six or seven months. I'm in Washington, D.C., again, going and up there talking with the congressional members. I walk into the second office and we're sitting in a chair waiting to see the congressional member.

[00:18:49] But Pam Paul, well, it was like old home week. And all of a sudden is we for whatever reason, it was Donnie, Congressman Donnie from the cell. He calls us both into the to the office at the same time. It's a repeat. She spends all this time talking about wonderful how great Mike Hightower is, how great Blue Cross is. And then he and so then we got into Pam Paul and Donnie Fussell. I can remember this when she started talking about the importance of children.

[00:19:17] He picks up the phone and I believe it was if I remember it correct, Pam. He called and talked to Bill Lehman, who was in Broward County and said, there are two people here. I want you to meet him, you know, particularly once you meet Pam Paul. She's here to talk about children. And so thanks to Pam Paul, I became a legend in my own mind, both in Tallahassee and in Washington, D.C.

[00:19:41] I would tell you that I don't have actual stories about Pam per se, but more of reflections and observations. Because I had come over from from being a broadcaster, of course, in Jacksonville for seven years and started out, first of all, at the Economic Development Commission, a job that I had had with Mike Weinstein at the time.

[00:20:05] And then, as everybody remembers, Mike Weinstein then became the lead of the Super Bowl in 95. Audrey was asked to come over to become chief of staff because she was babysitting the JEDC after Weinstein left to take over the Super Bowl. So Audrey said yes. She would be happy to come over in that capacity. And she wanted to bring me with her, which John Delaney said would be fine. So I went over there.

[00:20:33] And all I remembered was I felt more like a fish out of water like nobody else. I mean, I had no idea. All I'd known is I'd been talking about these people for years on my show, but I've never worked with them. And I've got to tell you that between Audrey and Pam, there would be no better people who would help me make that transition from talking about government to being involved in government than Pam Paul.

[00:21:00] And I just will never forget the kindness you showed me, the compassion you showed me, and sometimes you would show me a wagging finger to it. I got that. She was the moral compass of the senior staff in the Delaney administration. She really was. She kept us going in the right direction all the time. And then there were other times when all of us would get a little weird. I mean, you're talking about Sam and you're talking Sam Musa. You're talking about John Delaney.

[00:21:30] You're talking about Rick Mullaney. You're talking about all these people that we get crazy. And then she became the den mother. That's it. Everybody go to your respective corners and let's just get out of this for now. But those are kind of my memories of being with Pam. And I admired her greatly for what she did, but more than anything else, to do it as a volunteer. Pam, everybody thanks you. The city should be thanking you for the work that you did with us as a volunteer for the Delaney administration and since that time.

[00:22:01] So thank you. Now, I'll tell you what, guys, we're going to talk to Pam here. We all have questions for her and all the things that we'd like to say to her. But let's go around another one another time if we can. Tolbert, do you have another story you want to tell us? This happened in 1990 when Tommy Hazzari was the mayor. And Pam wanted to create a children's commission in Jacksonville, kind of model after one like they had in Pinellas County that was working so well.

[00:22:32] And we had to do that through a referendum. And Pam asked me if I would run the referendum campaign, which I loved doing and agreed to do. And Ed Austin, who was state attorney at that time, also had a passion for children and wanted a children's commission. So I got Ed Austin, Artis Gilmore, the basketball great, and the head sister, the nun at St. Vincent's Hospital, will be the three co-chairs.

[00:22:59] I thought that would be a powerful group, especially with Pam standing in front of them. Well, Hazzari decided he didn't want us to have that tax referendum passed. And so he didn't help us. We barely lost the campaign, unfortunately. Mayor Austin got angry, I think, at that. And in 1991, he ran for mayor against Hazzari and won the campaign and became the mayor.

[00:23:24] And in 1994, he and Pam created the Children's Commission. Now, that's a true story, and I stand by. Well, you know, he's talking about how circles within circles in the relationship. Going back where Pam, I admit Pam, in the early 80s, Will, fast words to 1980.

[00:23:43] And, again, thanks to Pam and her putting the Pam Paul stamp of approval on Mike Hightower, it really helped all over the civic community in Tallahassee and in Jacksonville. But what happens, fast forward, we have an opportunity. Pam's husband, Bobby Paul, his parents' home came up for sale.

[00:24:10] And she mentioned it to me, so soon I went over to see Bobby's family home on the river. And so thanks to Bobby and whatever Bobby and Pam did, we were able to buy that house, which was extraordinary. It was one of the most historic homes in all of Avondale. And so we bought this house way over our budget. Fast forward, as Mike Talbert just said, thanks to Pam, Ed Austin becomes mayor.

[00:24:40] Well, in 1992, Sue and I decided to thank all the people who had helped us at Blue Cross Blue Shield in the community. So we hosted the mayor's Christmas party. So we invited Bobby and Pam to come to his old house at there. And when, of course, this is a four-story house. Pam married Bobby and grew up, you know, knowing about this house.

[00:25:06] And she sort of became the hostess for that evening for Mayor Austin's, for the beginning of the annual mayor's Christmas party, for both Mayor Austin and John Delaney. And she could tell stories about that house. She talked about how it was when she came to Jacksonville. But right then, she invited her friends to come and enjoy and to be a part of that. And in that, those people that came, just like Mike and the two Mikes have said,

[00:25:36] there were community leaders and political leaders and business leaders who came there who had all been touched by Pam's passion, her compassion, her love of the city, and all that she did. And Sue and I just loved just being a fly on the wall, watching Pam be the hostess year after year at the Mayor's Christmas party, thanking, having her thank the people at Jacksonville for all they did. And they were there to say how great it was to be in Pam Paul.

[00:26:05] One of Pam's favorite statements to make while we were all working together was, aren't we having fun? He would always say to everybody, aren't we having a good time? Now that his, and I went up to Pam at the event the other night, and the first thing she said to me was, didn't we have fun? Yeah, Pam, my question is pretty simple. I want you to tell us about Bobby Paul.

[00:26:32] When and how did you meet Bobby? And what did, what role, what role did he play in all of your community ventures? He made a big backup role for me, but I met him. We were both crossing the street to get to Bobby's fraternity at Yale University and just bumped into each other and started talking.

[00:27:00] And after a while, I needed to go on and get my ride back to college. And he called me that night, asked me for a date. And I was sort of stunned by the whole thing. And not only was I stunned, but in those days, you were lucky to get a burger. Or you paid for it yourself, either one.

[00:27:25] And he took me to this really gorgeous, there was one beautiful restaurant in Millbrook, New York. And he took me there. He did so many Southern things, I was just fascinated. He held the car door open for me. I mean, there were all these things. That was unheard of in New York. I thought, good grief.

[00:27:52] I was stunned and very impressed. And we started dating. And that was the whole, that was it. So my mother was a slight impediment, shall we say. Well, that's putting it mildly. Her thought was not to have me marry somebody from the South.

[00:28:21] You know, I had New York in my veins. And that's where I should be going. So at any rate, we had quite a few sit-downs during the fall. And I finally was apparently, I don't know how you would call it, but I needed to get a good spanking. Luckily, I never got. But I prevailed.

[00:28:51] So I prevailed. And we had a lovely engagement party in Darien, Connecticut. And we were married that winter, actually, in January. And off we went because Bobby had, he was doing his duty. And we went to Fort Sill and had a ball. There were just so many people there that were doing the same thing.

[00:29:21] Fort Sill, I've never been west of anything. So, yay. So it's been like that for my whole life. Pail, let's go back to when we met in Tallahassee. And going back to in the early 70s. And as you've mentioned, Bobby was there and allowed you just to do what you did. You got in your car in the late 70s and when I met you in the early 80s.

[00:29:50] Drove to Tallahassee. Didn't really know anybody. How did you have the courage or the wherefore all to just walk as a one-person band? That passion, that courage to walk into those legislators' office and start talking about this issue that no one was talking about. And then did the same thing. Got on a plane and went to Washington and just knocked on these congressional oars and was there.

[00:30:17] How did you come up with that passion and that courage to do that and why? You know, I don't even know myself, but I was convinced that I could do all this. And I don't give me help. But the one thing that almost got me was, and now you have to help me, Mike, or whoever. But remember there was, and there still is, a commission that meets in Tallahassee.

[00:30:46] And they give yeses and nos to developers that are developing housing. Uh-huh. And several of you have been very kind to get me through that horrible dilemma. But anyway, that was the one that scared me the most because I really didn't know anything about any of that.

[00:31:15] And there was no way anybody was going to give me a hand. It was an all-male situation. And all males who had been together for a long, long time, and they were maybe a little squirrely. Who knows? Anyway, that was the one that was the most upsetting to me. The rest of it didn't.

[00:31:44] I just smiled on the rest of them. But that committee, you were successful in getting that. How did you persevere knowing that these guys were there not to help you out? You just kept pushing. Well, they were to eat me up. And I knew it. But the truth was, I did not take a second term.

[00:32:08] And one of you that meant very well to me took me aside and kind of gave me a little clue about what might happen. They wanted me off. And I, of course, didn't know how to do that.

[00:32:35] So I hope that I did it graciously. But it was the one time that I had ever felt as a woman that I was unwanted. And it was real. It may still be. Who knows? Well, I can tell you is your impact was you allowed women as a lobbyist to go over there and break that ceiling and be able to walk into those meetings.

[00:33:04] Pam, in so many ways, you were a trailblazer and you smiled and your passion and your compassion. But you broke those barriers. And now I will tell you some of them. I would say most of the most of the influential lobbyists in Tallahassee now are women. And it's thanks to you being a trailblazer because you didn't take no for an answer. But when they did tell you, no, you were gracious.

[00:33:29] But you opened the doors for dozens and dozens of successful women to make a mark in Tallahassee because of you. I'm really glad to hear that. That's just wonderful news. Wonderful. Thank you. Guys, we run against the clock. I had a question, a big, long question to ask you. But I'm just going to make a real quick question, Pam. When are we going out for dinner and a glass of wine? Anytime, you say. Well, as soon as we get Tolbert and Hightower back in town, the four of us will get back together again. I can't wait. We have so much fun.

[00:34:00] And I hope they're not taping us. Oh, they're taping us. Everyone's going to see this. Pam, thank you so very, very much for joining us on the podcast. Thank you so very much for what you've done for the city of Jacksonville, for all three of us individually and collectively. Thank you, Pam. We love you. Thank you. You sure do. And thank you all for joining us on this episode of Mike's on Mike. We'll see you again in a couple of weeks.

[00:34:26] In the meantime, we want to thank not just Pam Paul, but all of our donors for keeping the lights on and the cameras rolling. We'll see you again soon. Take care, all. Mike's on Mike. With Mike Tolbert, Mike Hightower, and Mike Miller can be found on your favorite podcasting platform, Facebook, and YouTube. Visit the website at Mike'sOnMike.com. Join us next time for more conversation with Mike's on Mike. We'll see you next time. Bye.