NACKASHI CREDITS JU ’ S EXECUTIVE MBA PROGRAM AND THE LASTING CONNECTIONS HE MADE DURING THE PROGRAM FOR HIS CLIMB TO THE TOP OF ONE OF THE COUNTRY ’ S LARGEST FINTECH COMPANIES .
For Joe Nackashi EMBA ' 07 , Chief Executive Officer of Black Knight , Inc ., a Jacksonvillebased technology , data and analytics company with a national footprint , being a Jacksonville University Dolphin is truly a family affair . Joe ’ s wife , Dawn ' 87 , daughters Elizabeth ' 15 and Caroline ' 18 and son Gabe ' 20 all earned their degrees on the JU campus .
As Nackashi explains , Jacksonville University is a part of the Nackashi family and is another special bond that they share together . “ Some of my favorite memories from JU were watching my daughters graduate with their nursing degrees . What made this extra special was knowing my daughters were following in my wife ’ s footsteps , who also earned her nursing degree from JU . These three women share the same passion and dedication to caring for others . Another special memory is David Dobson [ Jacksonville University Sporting Clays , Skeet and Trap Shooting Team Coach ] mentoring my son ; and watching my son grow into a young professional , who now has a wonderful career . The foundation JU provided is a large part of his success .”
When Nackashi chose to further his education while working in the technology and data analytics industry , Jacksonville University was a clear choice to achieve his goals . “ The EMBA program at JU has a stellar reputation . I saw this as an opportunity to further my education and gain practical knowledge I could apply in my career ,” he says . “ The ability to meet and network with other professionals who shared a common goal was very meaningful to me . I have maintained many of those relationships to this day .”
Nackashi began his career with a predecessor company to Black Knight . Through hard work , dedication and a commitment to his clients and company , today , Nackashi is the CEO of Black Knight , where he oversees the company ’ s overall vision and direction . As Black Knight ’ s leader , he has a laser focus on ensuring the company continues to provide innovative software , data and analytics services to drive efficiencies in the mortgage lending and servicing and real estate industries , as well as the capital and secondary markets . Black Knight ’ s mortgage servicing software is used to service approximately 37 million mortgages .
Nackashi appreciates the opportunities he has had to continually elevate his career and believes his time at Jacksonville University was a key to that success . “ I am blessed to be in this role , leading an amazing team of people . I don ’ t believe I would have been offered this opportunity if I had not earned my EMBA from JU .”
Black Knight and Jacksonville University have a longstanding partnership , and Black Knight is a major employer of Jacksonville University students and alumni , with nearly 100 JU Dolphin alumni who work there now or have worked there in the past . In 2015 , Joe and three fellow Dolphin alumni — Bryan Hipsher ' 05 /' 07 , Tom Peterson EMBA ' 06 , and Shelley Leonard EMBA ' 08 — were instrumental in Black Knight ’ s initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange , ringing the celebratory opening bell together at the exchange on June 1 .
Black Knight ’ s success is well-known in Jacksonville given the company ’ s commitment to hiring local talent , driving