Joe Altomare , Angelia Savage &
Richard Mette
Richard Mette was born and raised in Jacksonville—and he
is passionate both about the state of the city and the citizens
who live here. Mette recently retired from the Jacksonville,
Fourth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office where he had
worked for the past 22 years, continuing his focus on consumer
affairs, dealing with consumer fraud complaints and crimes.
An antique enthusiast. Mette is also the owner of First Coast
Antiques, an online antique, collectibles and consignment
store and the founder and CEO of Jax Healthy Fitness, an online
directory for local professional health and fitness resources, a
business he started in order to assist Jacksonville residents in
their quest to find quality health and fitness service providers
who fit their needs.
Mette began his career in the political and marketing field
while in junior college when he helped on Bruce Smathers’
campaign during Smathers’ bid for State Senate. Mette then
went on to work in the consumer affairs division for former
Jacksonville Mayor Tommy Hazouri during his administration
from 1987-1991.
Now that he has retired, he is far from idle. Mette spends his
days working on his raised garden beds at his family’s property
where he resides. He also enjoys playing golf and tennis and
spending time with friends. Mette says he is already looking
towards the future and other possible career paths.
8 June - July 2015 | First Coast Register
More than 100 people gathered last month to celebrate the retirement of
Richard Mette at The Grotto in historic San Marco. The event was hosted
by Angelia Savage, Miss Florida USA 1997 and top runner up in Miss USA.
Photos by Susan Griffin.
Where are you from originally?
I am from Jacksonville. I am one of those few that can say
that I was born and raised in Jacksonville—matter of fact, I can
say that I am one of the few that is living on the property that
they were raised upon. It has been in my family before I was
born. The property is large, quiet and is just east of the San
Marco neighborhood on the Southside of Jacksonville.
Tell me about your family.
I had the best of families. My mother was the very best in
that she believed in her church and believed that her children
also would be with her each Sunday. She also taught us that
life is more about giving than receiving. My family goes back
to the early days of Jacksonville—part of my family had come
over from Germany in the mid to late 1800s. My grandfather
had worked in the early days for city fire department and
had helped fight the big 1901 fire. My father grew up being
a captain upon a boat on the St. Johns River. I only had two
brothers; both passed away at an early age. My big brother died
in the Marines at the age of 18 at camp Lejeune. He had just
graduated from Landon High School. My other brother was
with the Florida Marine Patrol and also worked upon the St.
Johns River.