Jones Edmunds has been making a tangible difference for Florida communities since 1974, but last week was certainly one of the more memorable for the engineering and environmental sciences consulting firm. On Thursday, the organization was recognized by the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce as the Best Overall Business for 2014. The Chamber specifically recognized Jones Edmunds for putting its core values of integrity, knowledge and service at the center of its work, and for local projects that showcase the region around Gainesville at statewide conferences.

Continuing to build on those values, Jones Edmunds employees were out early on a cold Saturday morning to lead a beautification service project and work alongside school parents and other community leaders to improve the curb appeal of Duval Elementary School, near the firm’s Gainesville headquarters. In the photo from left to right is Duval Elementary School principal Lawson Brown, Buford Davis (landscape architect), and Jones Edmunds founders and directors Dick Jones and Bob Edmunds.