Jay Silver is a lifelong Tampa Bay resident who believes that positive change starts at the community level. As founder and president of Helicon, a licensed geotechnical construction company, he presides over the industry as a leader in foundation repair, concrete lifting and leveling, soil stabilization, sinkhole repair and seawall repair solutions. Jay is an acknowledged geotech construction expert, as well as a trainer on business leadership and management who serves as a regular presenter for professional organizations.In 2004, while still enrolled in the University of South Florida, Jay built Helicon with a small workforce in a home office. Through determination and a track record of excellence, he grew the business to effectively manage 20 or more residential projects per month. Between 2009 and 2012, Helicon became one of the top three sinkhole repair companies in the state of Florida. He installed a Tampa corporate office, which at times has housed more than 80 trained professionals. As a leader, Jay is passionate about developing people personally and professionally, and encourages diversity in ideas and expertise.In 2016, Jay transitioned the organization to concentrate on commercial construction – helping regional builders and general contractors save time and money, with a primary emphasis on ground improvement, deep foundations, foundation repair and underpinning. With incredible aspiration and effective leadership, Helicon has built strong relationships throughout Florida and is poised for expansion into the neighboring states. Jay is committed to providing a valuable service to his community and infuses throughout his organization a focus on delivering an excellent customer experience alongside a superior product.Jay’s commitment to making a difference extends beyond his work with Helicon and into the broader Tampa Bay community. As a father, he knows the impact that opportunities in childhood can make not only in adults, but in societies. From 2019 - 2020, Jay served as the board chair for Friends of the Children, a program that provides children in high-risk environments with a mentor to accompany their journey from as early as age four through high school. These lifelong relationships provide children with critical guidance and support to enable their entry into the professional world. As chair, Jay helped grow board membership from 2 to more than 12 dedicated advocates, while laying the framework to expand services to additional children over the next five years.