K9s UNITED BOARD MEMBER

paul bertozzi
President and CEO of Live Oak ContractinG

Paul was born and raised in Jacksonville, FL and attended Auburn University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics. Paul work in the construction industry for ten years prior to founding Live Oak Contracting in 2014.  He has grown Live Oak’s portfolio to include projects along the East Coast from Florida to Maine with general contracting licenses in 10 states. By building long-term relationships based on integrity, Paul and Live Oak have successfully managed projects in Market Rate, Multifamily, Mixed Use, Industrial, and Commercial industries. Since 2014, Paul has grown Live Oak exponentially and is consistently recognized as one of Jacksonville's top 50 fastest-growing companies by the Jacksonville Business Journal. His professional accolades include the Jacksonville Business Journal's 40 Under 40 in 2017, 2018; he was a finalist in Ernst and Young's Entrepreneur of the Year for the State of Florida. Paul has also been recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential Commercial Real Estate Executives in America. He was on the Jacksonville Business Journal's list of Ultimate CEOs in 2019 and the Daily Record awarded him a 2021 Top Entrepreneur.

As a Jacksonville native, Paul feels a strong connection to the community. He is passionate about giving back to local charitable organizations and creates an environment where his employees can do the same. Organizations he supports include the Jaguars Foundation, Jacksonville Children's Chorus, Safe Harbor Boys Academy, the ARC, and he sits on the board for K9 United and North Florida School of Special Education.

Paul also has a heart for seeing Jacksonville grow. He served as a mentor for the NEFL ULI Emerging Leaders group and NAIOP's Mentorship Program and is currently on the Board of Governors for the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Advisors for NEFL Urban Land Institute. He is also an investment partner for JAX USA and Downtown Vision.