News Releases

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, June 5, 2014

The Jacksonville Business Journal honored 25  First Coast Veterans of Influence on June 5, 2014.  The award honors military veterans who have distinguished themselves in service to their country, commitment to the community, and in service to their second career. 

Howard C. Serkin, chairman of Heritage Capital Group, gained many of his most valuable career skills underwater. Once a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, Serkin was assigned to nuclear submarines, performing deep submergence rescue and salvage projects.

 “We were constantly, constantly, in a life or death situation, so it taught all of us to be very precise, very attentive and very mindful of what was going on around us at all times,” he said, “because being submerged under the water meant we could not make a single mistake.” 

That intensity of focus has served Serkin well in his professional life. His commitment to detail and verve for life have made him a notable Jacksonville player in the realm of buying, selling and merging businesses, but it’s his community involvement that is truly impressive, spanning from his support of the University of North Florida Foundation and Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville to Leadership Jacksonville and the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville. All of it, he said, springs from his professional work. 

“I love what I do professionally. I’m not just selling the same widgets day in and day out,” Serkin said. “Being the chairman of Heritage, an investment banking firm, I get to know new companies and meet wonderful businesspeople every day, people who invite me to get involved in the community. And quite frankly, being involved in the community is good for my business. It’s been terrific.” 

“Howard meets with a lot of people and helps with advice,” said Don Wiggins, president of Heritage Capital Group and Business Valuation Inc. “I think making a difference is just in his nature; he wants to give back to the community.”