About
The Firm
Avail specializes in creating, managing, and marketing turnkey charitable events. The company name, Avail, is taken from the root word; avail, which means to be of help or service. With over 15 years of experience, the firm has developed and managed over one hundred special events throughout the east coast. This includes events for corporate clients, governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, professional athletes and Avail owned and managed event properties. The mission of Avail is two-fold;
1. Provide turnkey, collaborative, fundraising events that raise money and awareness for small non-profit organizations, and,
2. Provide opportunities forindividuals and corporations to engage and empower community organizations
Just as small businesses are recognized as the ultimate fuel for our economy, small grassroots organizations have the same impact when it comes to their social impact. Avail’s focus on small non-profit organizations supports its overall mission of making a positive impact on communities across the country.
Our Mission
Avail is a unique agency that is committed to events that have a positive impact on our communities. The slogan for the firm is "The Power to put PURPOSE to PLAY". This slogan is symbolic of the passion and vision for the company's founders.
POWER - Power represents the ability for everyone in our society to make a difference. Whether you are a multi-million dollar philanthropist, a community volunteer, or student raising money for a local charitable campaign, we all have the POWER to make a difference.
PURPOSE - Our firm truly believes that we all have a purpose in life and we strive to match individuals with opportunities to pursue the things that are important to them.
PLAY - While many of the organizations that our events support are very serious causes such as health, education, and hunger relief, we belief that opportunities that are fun and engaging are a great way to raise funds and awareness for these causes.
Our Team
Johnathan Mayo, President
A native of Richmond, Virginia, Johnathan Mayo obtained a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Military Institute and master’s degrees in Business Administration and Sports Leadership through the VCU School of Business and the VCU Sports Leadership Center. After VMI, he began with Ethyl Corporation in Richmond, VA and later joined Verizon Communications.
Mr. Mayo and Lester Johnson founded Avail in 1997 and also serve as co-founders of Mama J's restaurant. Mr. Mayo has the responsibility of managing Avail Marketing while Mr. Johnson assumes all management responsibility of Mama J's. Mama J’s serves southern cuisine and has quickly become a very popular dining spot for Richmond and won numerous awards to include the 2013 Broad Appetit “To Dine For” Main Dish Award.
Mr. Mayo has the responsibility of developing short and long-term business strategies that support the overall vision of Avail Marketing. Mr. Mayo is activily involved in the daily business operations that include event creation and management, sponsorship development, program development and business development. Mr. Mayo is also the creator of the company’s latest event venture, the VCU Broad Street Mile.
Jillian Asay, Special Events & Programs Manager
Ms. Asay is the Special Events and Program Manager for Avail. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Randolph-Macon College and her Master of Social work degree from Virginia Commonwealth University.
As Avail is responsible for managing Excel to Excellence, Ms. Asay fills the role of Program Manager for the TEAM EXCEL program designed to educate young people and instill the value of service at an early age. She is responsible for developing the life skills curriculum for this program.
Ms. Asay also serves as the firm’s Special Events Manager for several different events and initiatives including the VCU Broad Street Mile, Moriah McNeil Golf Tournament and Serving Up Change.
Advisory Board
Jim Ukrop
Retired Chairman, Ukrop’s Super Markets
Angela Wilkes
Director of Supplier Diversity, Owens & Minor
Kym Grinnage
Vice President & General Manager, WWBT/NBC12 Raycom Media
Brian Jackson
Attorney, Hirschler Fleischer
Jon King
CEO, Executive Staffing
Gil Minor
Retired Chairman, Owens & Minor
Dr. Henry Rhone
Retired, Vice Provost of Student Affairs, Virginia Commonwealth University
Jeff Roseme
Co-Founder, Bridgeton Capital
Troy Savenko
Attorney, Kaplan, Voekler, Cunningham & Frank, PLC
Steve Granger
Sales Manager, Tom James Company