VETPAW’s Veterans of African Wildlife

Jonathan “Jon” Yob, based in Tampa, Florida, has built and grown a series of successful investment companies over the decades. The principal of JAY Management Corporation, Jonathan Yob additionally directs the work of the Yob Family Foundation (YFF), which addresses crucial needs in the areas of conservation, social welfare, and arts and culture.

Many aspects of the YFF’s conservation-related charitable giving focus on animal welfare. One of its recent projects involved teaming with Veterans Empowered to Protect African Wildlife, or VETPAW, to safeguard the continent’s endangered and threatened species from poachers, as well as from criminal enterprises engaged in the destruction of African animals to sell their body parts on international markets. Poachers and traffickers typically target intelligent large mammal species such as gorillas, rhinos, and elephants.

One grim statistic: some 30,000 African elephants are slaughtered by poachers every year. Fewer than half a million of the animals remain alive today, despite a more than 30-year international ban on the cross-border ivory trade. Additionally, rhinos continue to be hunted for their horns, which, like ivory, find eager buyers on the black market.

Started by a former United States Marine who saw the hideous work of poachers in Africa firsthand, VETPAW marshals the can-do attitudes of military veterans to stem this seemingly ever-flowing tide. The organization’s most notable efforts include training African park rangers to combat poaching and preserve species. 

Music Revolution Project for Student

A recipient of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award, Jonathan Yob has also had a significant impact on the Tampa community through his philanthropic endeavors. Jonathan “Jon” Yob is the founder and president of the Yob Family Foundation, which played a pivotal role in bringing the Grammy Museum’s Music Revolution Project to Ruth Eckerd Hall.

Open to eligible students aged 14 to 21, the Music Revolution Project leverages the power of music to motivate and amplify young voices. The free program takes place at the Marcia P. Hoffman School of the Arts and consists of four weeks of intensive musical training and mentoring with respected composers, musicians, and directors. At the end of each four-week session, students perform on the Ruth Eckerd Hall stage for family and friends.

Offered at no cost to qualifying students, the highly selective program prepares students to perform at a high level, as well as to create connections within the music industry. Musical mentors in the program include numerous Grammy-winning artists, including Colbie Caillat and Three Doors Down.

 

Conservation Safaris with VETPAW Benefit

An alumnus of the University of South Florida in Tampa, Jonathan Yob serves as the founder and president of the Yob Family Foundation. Jonathan “Jon” Yob leads the philanthropic organization in supporting numerous nonprofit organizations in the Tampa area, including VETPAW.

VETPAW draws on the combat experience and skills of post 9/11 United States veterans to protect and train park rangers in the fight against poaching in Africa. The organization works on the ground with park rangers and law enforcement to surveil common poaching grounds, as well as to train rangers in effective prevention techniques. To provide supporters a firsthand glimpse into its conservation efforts, VETPAW operates immersive safari experiences along the Eastern Cape of South Africa.

Conservation vacations with VETPAR provide intimate encounters with some of the world’s most endangered wildlife, including accompanying the night monitoring and tracking team who collect vital data on elephant, rhino, and cheetah populations. Participants will also learn to engage with surrounding communities of the Eastern Cape. One hundred percent of the profits from safaris directly fund the organization’s mission to empower US veterans and protect African wildlife.

 

Safe, Supportive Learning at A Kid’s Place

Award-winning executive and philanthropist Jonathan Yob founded the Tampa-based Yob Family Foundation in 2012. As president of the foundation, Jonathan “Jon” Yob has partnered with charitable organizations such as Kids Charity of Tampa Bay to provide services and resources for children living in foster care.

Kids Charity spearheaded the creation of A Kid’s Place, a unique residential facility that keeps sibling groups in foster care intact. Along with compassionate care from in-house parents, the facility offers educational programming that helps students succeed academically. At the educational center on the Kid’s Place campus, children can receive individual tutoring, homework help, and participate in online classes.

The Kid’s Place toddler classroom focuses on social interactions and play, while the pre-kindergarten classroom begins to prepare students for public school through play-based art and science explorations. The Hillsborough County Classroom provides an alternate school setting for elementary school children who need one on one instruction to prepare them for a transition to a larger local school.

Joshua House Nearing Completion

Since 2012, Jonathan Yob has served as president of the Yob Family Foundation (YFF) in Tampa, Florida. Alongside these endeavors he has been an award-winning entrepreneur at the helm of successful businesses such as JAY Management Corporation. Passionate about helping others, Jonathan “Jon” Yob has supported many Tampa-based nonprofits through both the YFF and his own volunteer activities. Among them is Friends of Joshua House.

Since 1992, Friends of Joshua House has been supporting the care of children in the Tampa Bay community who have been abandoned, abused, and neglected. This is undertaken through Joshua House, a safe haven that offers therapeutic residential group care to these children. Situated on 11 acres, the facility has five homes that meet children’s needs. For months, the facility has been closed for renovations, and as of February 2021, is it in need of $125,000 in donations to complete the process.

The renovations at Joshua House include updating both the activity room and learning center. The activity room is the site of a range of classes, from sewing to budgeting courses for children. Drum circles and other enrichment activities are also held there. Meanwhile, the learning center will include a study space, computers, and a library for residents. Tutors from the University of South Florida College of Education visit the learning center and help Joshua House kids catch up academically.

Interior renovations aren’t the only changes going on at Joshua House. All five homes on the property are being renovated from top to bottom. Each home features comfortable and modern decor and provides living space for up to 12 children at a time.

3 Benefits of Serving on a Nonprofit Board

An entrepreneur and philanthropist in Tampa, Florida, Jonathan “Jon” Yob serves as president of the Yob Family Foundation (YFF) and leads several successful businesses. Dedicated to helping children and those in need in his Tampa community, Jonathan Yob has served on the boards of several nonprofit organizations. Here are several reasons why serving on a nonprofit board is beneficial.

Provides learning opportunities

You can learn a lot from service on a nonprofit board. You’ll learn patience as you wade through the information gathered from fellow board members, develop an understanding of governance and leadership, and become more aware of effectively working with other people.

Expands your network

The others on your nonprofit board will become acquainted with you. As they do so, they will be more comfortable brainstorming ideas and introducing you to people they know to assist you in other areas of your life. Expanding your network, both professionally and personally, has many benefits.

Builds your leadership skills

Serving on a nonprofit board can enable you to learn how to run effective meetings and to manage people who don’t report to you. You may find yourself as the chairman of a committee, which will enhance your leadership skills.

Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year

The founder and president of the JAY Management Corporation, Tampa’s Jonathan Yob also serves as a managing member with Garage Doctors of America, LLC. In recognition of his professional accomplishments, Jonathan “Jon” Yob has received accolades such as the Greater Tampa Leader of the Year and Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Established to recognize the accomplishments of entrepreneurs whose businesses enhance local economies and communities, the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award operates programs in more than 145 cities and 60 countries around the world. Widely recognized as one of the most prestigious honors in the business world, the award confers numerous benefits to recipients. Entrepreneurs enjoy increased brand awareness and often develop valuable networks with peers in their community.

In addition to the award itself, winners receive ongoing community support through alumni events and access to advisors, as well as the possibility of speaking engagements and public interviews. For more information about award criteria, visit www.ey.com.