About Pathway 2 Success
Pathway 2 Success Inc. is a non for profit organization founded in September of 2009 by Justin L. Smith and Christopher A. Jackson. Pathway 2 Success has developed real estate assets providing housing for low-income communities in St. Pete and nationally.
Committed to providing affordable housing, supervision, mentorship, rehabilitation, and guidance to disadvantaged youth and low-income families, the demographic population in which we aim to impact has a median income of $24,000 and is comprised mostly of single parent households. With the assistance of sponsors and strategic partnerships, Pathway 2 Success has provided programs focused on social, economic, peer to peer, and leadership development.
Our community partnerships have included projects with the Wells Fargo Foundation, Mercy Keepers, Career Source Pinellas, Gibbs High School Mentors, John Hopkins Middle School Mentors, Youth Build, and Judah Lodge #602, among others.
Pathway 2 Success founders Christopher Jackson and Justin Smith are certified seminar facilitators through the Nurturing Parenting Program®.
Our Team
Christopher A. Jackson
Executive Director/Founder
Chris is a native resident of St. Petersburg, FL, and a graduate of Lakewood High School class of 1990. Christopher has been an entrepreneur for over 20 years in video production, real estate, and mortgage banking.
As a real estate investor for 12 years and mortgage specialist for 7 years, he was mostly involved in the rehabilitation and reselling of residential real estate. Chris dedicated himself to helping as many people as he could while he managed his own mortgage business. He particularly enjoyed working with first time home-buyers and investors in obtaining affordable housing.
He has also been involved in the restoration projects in the Jordan Park area, and has devoted a lot of his time and energy to various community organizations like Community Housing and Mid Town Community, just to name a few.
Chris is committed to making a difference within the community and tries to give special focus on how he can affect the lives of the people that may be forgotten. His inspiration stems from growing up without a father and lessons learned from the school of hard knocks. He knows that his life experiences will benefit those that are disadvantaged and may not see a way out and feel as though the world has given up on them. Christopher exemplifies the true character traits of a Leader, Builder and Motivator within his community.
Justin L. Smith
Co Founder
Justin is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, receiving his BA in Computer Engineering in 2001.
Justin has spent most of his professional career with Ricoh, previously IKON Office Solutions, holding various positions including account executive, field sales development specialist, sales manager, and managed document services specialist.
He has a very extensive knowledge of the corporate landscape and the necessary skills needed to “swim with the sharks” and survive. Justin is also a native resident of St. Petersburg, FL, graduating from Lakewood High School class of 1997, where he was a member of many community associations, sport teams, clubs, and most notably, the first black to be selected as student ambassador to sister city Takamatsu, Japan.
Justin has committed himself to becoming an example to all children that feel as though they have run out of options and need a role model that can relate to and understand where they are coming from.
Alex Jordan
Board Member
Alexander C. Jordan is the Bureau Chief of Agency Services for the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation. Mr. Jordan’s bureau is responsible for providing internal and external services for daily operations.
While working for the Department of Business & Professional Regulation, Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Revenue he has coordinated and assisted in developing new programs within these agencies.
Alexander graduated from Tallahassee Community College and is currently focusing on his Criminal Justices degree at Florida Agriculture & Mechanical University.
Emily Lockett
Vice President
Brian Taylor
Executive Director
A dedicated and experienced operations manager with extensive experience in project coordination and leadership, Brian was Project Manager for New Dimension Builders, LLC., in St. Petersburg, FL from 2017 – 2023, where he managed construction planning and secured permitting for building projects, negotiated with vendors to optimize project budgets, and scoped rehabilitation projects for City of Tampa FL, successfully managing a $1M contract. As Operations Supervisor at The Salvation Army/Sallie House, in St. Petersburg, FL, from 2008 – 2013, he implemented innovative programs to boost employee loyalty and reduce turnover, developed and rolled out new policies ensuring adherence to company standards and applicable laws, provided hands-on management to uphold project quality and consistency, and trained, coached, and mentored staff for smooth adoption of new programs. He is a licensed All Lines Insurance Adjuster for the State of Florida
Marion Wolfe
Director
Marion Wolfe III is an experienced professional with a diverse background in education, management, and pharmacy instruction. With an Associate’s Degree in Commercial Art from The Art Institution of Atlanta, Marion has built a career spanning multiple industries. He is skilled in training, leadership, and operational management, consistently fostering productivity and professional growth in his workplaces.
Enron Smith
Housing Director
Mr. Smith brings more than eighteen years of management experience, consistently delivering projects of the highest magnitude to clients worldwide. Timely and well thought out designs are his trademark and has been exemplified on various projects ranging from revitalization and redevelopment to hospitality entertainment, and resort projects. Mr. Smith began his career at one of the top resort design firms in the country, EDSA in Orlando, Florida, as designer and project manager for developments including the Ritz Carlton Resort Expansion, St. Thomas, Gaylord Texas and Disney’s Westside to name a few.
In 2000 and 2002 as Senior Landscape Architect, joining highly respected Engineering teams, PBS&J and HDR, Inc., respectively, each managing a staff of five, he oversaw the design and development of several Neo-tradition communities including Celebration and transportation projects throughout the United States.
In 2005 he joined The Ginn Company’s, 3,500 person development team in Orlando, as a Senior Project Manager. Along with his staff of 6 he oversaw the in-house design group’s projects for Southwest Florida and the Caribbean.
Currently, Mr. Smith directs Planning and Design efforts, along with a staff of up to 15 team members, at The Evans Group in Orlando, responsible for projects in the Southeastern U.S., Caribbean, Central America and Russia
Along with the many skills Mr. Smith brings to a development and design team, he has also been an integral in the Business Development aspects throughout his career. Important to the many facets of the profession his progressive, thoughtful, and team building approach to problem-solving, has been instrumental to the success of numerous projects.
Additionally he has also provided expertise in project management, Construction documentation, construction administration, and project coordination with multiple consultants.
Demekisa Davis
Secretary
Davis is a highly accomplished and experienced Doctor of Oriental and Naturopathic Medicine offering 13 years of service to the Tampa Bay area, including treatment and services in acupuncture, herbology, prolotherapy, mesotherapy, and Internal Medicine. She has provided services at Ascended Healthcare in St. Petersburg, FL, providing patient care in the outpatient clinical setting since July of 2004, providing patient education and diagnosing and treating chronic medical conditions using principles of Traditional Chinese.
Willie Washington, Jr.
Project Manager
Willie Washington, Jr. is a Licensed Certified Building Contractor (CBC1257114) with over 22 years of experience in the construction industry. He is the owner of Many Moons Enterprises, where he specializes in project management, estimates, proposals, and field supervision for residential and commercial construction projects. His expertise includes working on large-scale projects such as Hammond Elementary School. Willie has also worked at Lockheed Martin for 27 years, managing advanced development projects and interagency contracts. Beyond his professional career, he is actively involved in community service, serving as President and Board Member of Pathway 2 Success, Inc. and Mercy Keepers, Inc., focusing on affordable housing and community support initiatives. He has been a church leader for 25 years and has received multiple awards for his contributions to youth programs and professional excellence.
Joe Lawson
Project Manager
Joe L. Lawson is an experienced project manager and operations professional with a strong background in construction, business management, and financial services. As a Construction Project Manager at Pathway 2 Success Inc., he oversees project planning, budgeting, and execution. Previously, he served as General Manager at NFX Services LLC, where he managed business operations, client relationships, and strategic planning. Joe also has experience in banking, having worked at Bank of America in research, adjustments, and claims analysis. He holds multiple degrees, including a B.A.S. in Technology Management and an A.S. in Business Administration. With expertise in contract negotiation, conflict resolution, and property management, Joe is highly skilled in leading teams and driving successful projects.