Accounts Payable Coordinator Jonathon Mann has been a dedicated and valued team member at Oak Hammock at the University of Florida for 10 years. Standing six feet, six inches tall, with a bright smile and a twinkle in his eye, he is known for being professional, patient and kind as he assists the independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing residents and fellow team members.

Mann was born in Earleton, Florida, about 30 minutes east of Gainesville, and graduated from Hawthorne High School. He attended Bethel University in McKenzie, Tennessee, on a football scholarship, where he played offensive tackle and majored in business administration. Moving away for college was a big step, as he didn’t know anyone when he arrived, but the experience helped him grow both personally and academically.

After graduating, he returned to Gainesville to be closer to his family. He admits he missed Florida and quickly realized he’s not a fan of cold weather.

Mann began his career at Oak Hammock as a human resources intern through a personal connection before transitioning into an accounting internship. When the accounts payable coordinator position became available, he applied—and has remained in that role ever since.

Mann is one of many Oak Hammock team members who have advanced through the ranks by demonstrating dedication and hard work.

Mann is well respected by administration. As Chief Financial Officer Andrew Davey said, “Jonathon truly represents the best of Oak Hammock. His role demands accuracy and discipline, but what stands out most is his professionalism, patience and genuine care for our residents and team members. He listens carefully, follows through and ensures concerns are fully resolved. Over the past ten years, he has earned the trust of those he serves through consistency, integrity and a strong commitment to our We Care values. We are fortunate to have him on our team.”

Family and friendships are central to Mann’s life. Because of his height, his family jokingly calls him “the gentle giant.” With a smile, he shares, “Growing up, my nickname was ‘Jon Jon,’ which is what they still call me today.”

Mann has played football since he was five years old and values the camaraderie and sense of belonging that come with being part of a team. That experience helped shape his strong work ethic and drive to continuously improve. In fact, he began playing varsity football as early as eighth grade when his school needed additional players.

Naturally detail-oriented and structured, Mann chose to study business administration. He describes himself as having a “type A” personality, saying, “I like organization and don’t typically just go with the flow.”

He remains in regular contact with his high school teammates, and while his college teammates are more spread out, they stay connected through FaceTime and group chats.

Recently, Mann reflected on his role at Oak Hammock:

What do you like most about your job?

In my role, I coordinate accounts payable, process daily funds, make bank deposits and reconcile bank statements. I also work directly with residents to resolve questions or concerns related to dining charges, ensuring accuracy and clear communication.

I enjoy the structure and organization that comes with working in accounting. There’s a real sense of accomplishment in balancing numbers and ensuring everything is accurate, and often there’s often more behind the numbers than meets the eye.

I also value the opportunity to interact with residents. Hearing their life stories and experiences is incredibly meaningful and motivates me to continue growing both personally and professionally.

Additionally, Oak Hammock has a welcoming and supportive team environment, which makes coming to work enjoyable.

How do you apply the We Care values to what you do?

The We Care values—welcoming, exceptional, courteous, attentive, responsive and empathetic—come naturally to me and reflect how I was raised. I’ve always believed it doesn’t cost anything to be kind, courteous and respectful.

I strive to be attentive and responsive by listening carefully to residents’ concerns and working diligently to resolve them. For example, when there’s a discrepancy in dining charges, I thoroughly review the tickets to identify and correct the issue.

I also approach every interaction with empathy, understanding that everyone needs help at some point, and I do my best to provide support whenever I can.

I try to make a difference by being dependable and willing to help in any way I can. While my primary role involves accounting and vendor invoices, I often assist residents with other needs as well—whether to resolve concerns or help with small tasks. I want each resident to feel supported and cared for.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I’m very close to my family, especially my sister, Amber Mann, who works as a life enrichment activities manager at Oak Hammock.

I enjoy spending time outdoors—fishing, visiting local springs like Rainbow and Ginnie, and walking nature trails such as Sweetwater and Devil’s Millhopper. I also run regularly, even though it’s not my favorite activity.

I’m very competitive when it comes to golf, and I work out daily as a way to relieve stress.

I’m also a big fan of Florida Gators athletics—my family and I enjoy following all Gator sports.

I love cooking, especially grilling. My specialties are ribs and steak, and for the past several years, I’ve prepared our entire Thanksgiving meal, including homemade stuffing and turkey. I learned to cook from my mom and grandmother while helping with family dinners growing up.

I also have a strong appreciation for the outdoors, inspired by my grandmother, who often took us to springs and nature trails when we were younger. My dad taught me how to fish, and we especially enjoy freshwater fishing together.

When I was younger, I practiced taekwondo and nearly earned my black belt before shifting my focus to football. I’m also a fan of ’90s R&B music.

Goals:

I plan to pursue a master’s degree in business administration and continue advancing within the accounting department at Oak Hammock. I’m also interested in earning additional certifications to strengthen my skills and knowledge.

Personally, I hope to travel internationally—Japan is at the top of my list because I admire the culture, and I’d also love to visit Italy for the food.

“Thank you for the opportunity to speak about Jonathon. In my roles as treasurer for Recycled Riches and membership chair for FLiCRA, I often turn to him for assistance. He consistently brings a positive attitude and makes time to help. Jonathon listens carefully, provides accurate answers and follows through—staying with a question or issue until it is fully resolved. His dedication reflects the high standard of service we’ve come to expect from the staff at Oak Hammock.” – Mary Wake, resident

“Whether helping with my personal Oak Hammock accounts or the Needle Arts account, Jonathon is always willing to take the time to understand and resolve any issue. He is quietly competent, dependable and always greets you with a warm smile.” – Doris Green, resident

“Jonathon and I became acquainted shortly after I moved to Oak Hammock, when I needed help resolving some billing issues. He addressed every concern with patience and care, despite my many visits to his office. I’m grateful for his support, and over time we’ve developed a lasting friendship.” – Mary Sanford, resident