Getting Down to Business with the Men of Cocoa Beach
Jeff Kidd, Owner of J&J Carpet One Floor & Home
Growing up locally, Jeff Kidd can still remember South Courtenay Parkway as a dirt road. After finishing high school, he began his career as an installer with the goal of one day becoming a store owner in the community he grew up in.
Fast-forward to present day, and mission accomplished. His business, one of Brevard’s premier remodeling companies, has now been at the same location for 30 years. He credits his “incredible” staff for helping him with much of his success.
Passions: Family travel, boating, riding bikes at low tide, dining at local restaurants, making furniture
Community involvement: Supporter of various local schools and churches
Stephen C. Houser, President of Houser Financial Group
Born in Gainesville, Florida, and raised in Cocoa, Stephen C. Houser has more than 40 years of experience in tax and accounting, along with 18 in wealth management. Recognized as a Top 100 Financial Advisor in the nation by Cetera Financial Specialists and heavily credentialed, he’s the founder of Houser Financial Group.
Privately, he’s a Gators fan, a licensed pilot of both personal aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (aka drones), and a certified member of the Florida Pyrotechnic Art’s Guild.
Passions: Fishing, flying, cooking for family, designing fireworks
Community involvement: Civilian Military Foundation, U.S. Air Force Space & Missile Museum, Cocoa Rotary, recipient of multiple distinguished service awards
Houser Financial Group, 1017 Pathfinder Way, Suite 100‐A, Rockledge, FL 32955, 321.345.1145. Registered Representative, securities offered through Cetera Financial Specialists LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Adviser Representative offering financial services offered through Cetera Investment Advisors LLC. Cetera entities are under separate ownership from any other entity.
Jim McKnight, City Manager of Cocoa Beach
A Rockledge native, Jim McKnight, who has a masters from the University of Southern Mississippi, grew up to become his hometown’s city manager from 1986 to 2016, making him one of the longest-serving city managers in the state of Florida and the longest-tenured city manager at one city in the history of Brevard County.
After being awarded two prestigious hall of fame awards in 2016, he became the Cocoa Beach city manager on January 9, 2017.
Passions: Family, community, the environment, golf, diehard Alabama football fan
Community involvement: Brevard Homeless Coalition, Keep Brevard Beautiful, Indian River National Estuary Program
Gary C. Nawrocki, DMD, Nawrocki Dental
After receiving his doctorate in dentistry from the University of Florida in 1980, Dr. Gary C. Nawrocki, a fitness buff and former CrossFit competitor, went on to open his general practice with a focus on cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry.
Currently attending seminars at UF to keep his dentistry skills honed, his continual pursuit of advanced education has taken him to institutes of higher learning in California, New York, Washington state, Arizona and Louisiana.
When he’s not improving his patients’ outlooks on life, this railroad enthusiast can be found playing engineer.
Passions: Family, fitness, model trains, problem-solving, American history
Community involvement: Usher at Our Saviours Catholic Church
Justin Connors, Owner of Connors Wealth Management
A Cocoa Beach native of 48 years, Justin Connors discovered the allure of the financial advising profession at age 11 when he shadowed at Dean Witter and knew right then exactly what he wanted to be.
Recently celebrating his 20th anniversary as a financial adviser, Connors Wealth Management, of which he is the founder, has been in business now for 16 years.
Passions: Spending quality time with family, trips to their cabin, playing sports, working out, classic cars, watching UFC, fantastic pinot noirs
Community involvement: American Cancer Society, Ronald McDonald House, Our Saviors Catholic Church Council member, Cocoa Beach Art Show
Evan Shear & Dale Crossley, Owners of CrossleyShear Wealth Management
These two financial planners and founding partners of CrossleyShear Wealth Management were drawn to financial advising because it not only fulfilled a business vision but also a personal drive to help others in the community.
Passions: Evan Shear’s passions include spending time with family and attending all their baseball, lacrosse and dance activities. Dale Crossley’s include surfing, watersports and golf.
Community involvement:
Evan: Former president of the Epilepsy Association of Central Florida and current scholarship foundation board member
Dale: Supports Winter Park High School Crew; Merritt Island, Cocoa and Rockledge Quarterback Clubs; Epilepsy executive board member; Preeclampsia Foundation Finance Committee; Shema Ministry Board & Scholarship Committee
Offices in Merritt Island and Heathrow, FL
Investment advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. CrossleyShear Wealth Management is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services Inc. member FINR/SIPC. 321.452.0061 CrossleyShear.com