New USO Welcome Center at Jacksonville International Airport opens

The new center gives the USO more space to serve their patrons who are traveling at home and abroad. The new center is approximately 900 square feet, nearly three times larger than the previous center.

JIA had a USO room for military members to relax while waiting for a flight, but because of the increase in travel, the Jacksonville Aviation Authority decided to donate a much larger room to the USO.

""This facility serves as a home away from home for our military and their families who are travel here at home and overseas," said Greater Jacksonville Area USO Executive Director K.C. McCarthy. "This center offers comfort and refreshment for our patrons, and we're proud to serve those who serve us everyday."

When Builders Care was asked to build the new USO, they decided to bring in two companies that would make the USO a home away from home for all military personnel. Sisler-Johnston Interior Design and Woodsman Kitchen & Floors jumped on board with Builders Care to help with the project.

Judith Sisler-Johnston, owner of Sisler- Johnston Interior Design, got involved because the greatness of the project was beyond words.

ETC Robert Hernandez, Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility command career counselor congratulates Pete Hooper for his service after being awarded the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award as his wife, Kathryn looks on Dec. 6.

"I am a mother and if it was my child I would want them to be in a home-like environment if they were in that kind of situation. It was important to me for them to have all the necessities of a home," said Sisler-Johnston.

Builders Care brought Sisler-Johnston into the project because it was her experience as an interior designer to turn the commercial space into a warm home.

Sisler-Johnston told Bill Wilson, executive director of Builders Care, that she wanted to design a place that would be therapeutic.

The first thing she looked at was the Haskell Company's interior space plan. After color selection and cabinetry ideas, Woodsman Kitchen & Floors came into the picture and implemented Sisler-Johnston's design. Woodsman Kitchen & Floors got involved because it was a very worthy project and they always support the Builders Care mission.

Sisler-Johnston worked with Janie Boyd-Strangi, senior account executive for Woodsman Kitchen & Floors and explained that she wanted the cabinets to be a dark rich wood and the cabinet handles to have a contemporary flare.

"Janie wanted to bring Judith's vision to life and make it a home away from home. She's a pro when it comes to learning what customers want," said Nancy Love, vice president of marketing for Woodsman Kitchen & Floors.

The details of any project are where the unique character of a building is developed. Fine details are a hallmark of both Sisler- Johnston Interior Design and Woodsman Kitchen & Floors.

"It is truly our pleasure to work on this very worthy project. We wanted to make it feel as close to home as possible. These young military people are the best this nation has and they deserve the best we can give them," said Wilson.