JMH Land Management - Jermey Hornack Palm Coast Local Business Insider

Palm Coast Local's 16th Business Insider Features Jeremy Hornack with JMH Land Management. If you know Jeremy, you know he is 'former military' and he's proud to tell anyone whether you ask or not. What you may not know, and after 2 years of conversations with Jeremy, Palm Coast Local discovered exactly what being former military means to him. 

Jeremey's Story Begins Here:

Some stories of resilience are written in boardrooms, but others are forged in far tougher places. For Jeremy Hornack, owner of JMH Land Management, the path from soldier to entrepreneur has been one of grit, sacrifice, and an unshakable commitment to doing things the right way. His journey from a Jacksonville childhood, to the deserts of combat, to the thriving landscapes of Palm Coast is proof that even the hardest challenges can give rise to something lasting — both for the man and the community he serves.

Jeremy Hornack, owner of JMH Land Management, began his journey far from the boardrooms and business ventures that define his life today. Born in Cincinnati but raised in Jacksonville, Florida, since three months old, Jeremy grew up in a Navy family and carried that discipline with him. After graduating from Robert E. Lee High School (now West Side High), he made the life-changing decision to join the U.S. Army at just 18 years old. It was a step that was about venturing out into a new world, one that was his choice while honoring his family military career path. It was a bold move and one that would shape the rest of his life.

What started as a straightforward enlistment soon became a defining chapter of his life. Jeremy spent 14 years in the Army, serving across multiple tours overseas. You see, Jeremy was a specialist — you know the ones you see in movies where one guy is on top of the tank with a machine gun? Yeah, that was Jeremy. It was terrifying and thrilling at the same time to serve his country while being able to hone his skill and become a specialist. Along the way, he rose through the ranks, developed into a leader, and became part of specialized units that demanded not only physical strength but also sharp decision-making under pressure.

After Jeremy ended his tours, he was approached to join the Elite, a special operations task force. He accepted the challenge, honored and proud to have been asked. Training was intense, new skills were developed, and after months of preparation Jeremy was called up for his first mission. A team was put together, men joined forces for a common goal, a plan was made, and it was time to act on that hard training and plan.

Training time was over. Gear on, team in place, Jeremy found himself flying across desert plains in a military airplane with his men, the time at hand, the destination drawing closer. When Jeremy and his team came to the landing area, it was time to jump out of that airplane and begin the mission. He had trained for this, countless hours, and he was ready. What was to be his first special operation then turned into a life-changing moment.

Jeremy launched from the military airplane C130, the rush of air and roar of engines thundering around him. In an instant, training and instinct collided with reality — but instead of a clean landing, Jeremy’s world went dark. The impact was brutal as the darkness took over. He felt it, the raw pain seeping in as his back broke on the landing, then complete silence.

For seven months Jeremy lay in an induced medical coma. When he finally awoke, the relief of learning the mission was successful and his men were safe was quickly overshadowed by the reality of his own condition. The memory of that brutal landing lingered, and now the fight had shifted — not against an enemy, but against his own body. During those long months, surgeons worked to repair his shattered back, but when their work was done, the rest was left to him.

The pain was constant, the road uncertain. Doctors and surgeons could do no more, and Jeremy was left with a choice: surrender to the silence that had almost taken him, or rise once again through sheer will. True to his training, he pushed forward with relentless physical therapy, grinding through every step until he could walk again.

When the day came to choose his future, the options were stark: sit behind a desk or retire. Jeremy chose the unknown, closing his military career after 14 years with honor. He carried with him not just the scars of battle, but the pride of service, the lessons of leadership, and the unbreakable resolve that had carried him through both war and recovery.

The accident was no failure of his own. Every soldier knew the jump carried danger, it was the nature of the mission, a risk that came with the uniform. For Jeremy, that risk became reality. In an instant, everything he had built, trained for, and envisioned seemed to slip away. He lost his footing in life as surely as his body gave out beneath him, yet through it all, one truth remained: he refused to be defeated. Even in the face of losing everything, Jeremy’s spirit held firm, unbroken, waiting for the chance to fight his way back.

It took a while for Jeremy to find his footing again in the civilian world. He went to work for a few big outfits and during that time met and found his girlfriend who lived in Palm Coast, Florida. Life was good but something was missing. It was time to strike out on his own. Jeremy loves nature and fishing, and he took his knowledge and skills and formed his company JMH Land Management. Not a regular tree service and land bulldozing company, but one who cared about the environment, nature, and the impacts. Tree service and fire mitigation became key pillars of his work — services rooted in responsibility, safety, and protecting both land and people.

For Jeremy, JMH Land Management became more than just a business — it was a reflection of who he was and what he valued. Being outdoors, surrounded by nature, gave him the same sense of purpose and calm he once found on the water with a fishing pole in hand. Each property wasn’t just land to be cleared; it was a piece of someone’s future. He took pride in listening to what people wanted, walking the ground with them, and helping them see what their property could become. Whether it was opening space for a family home, preserving old trees that carried memories, or shaping land so it flowed with the environment instead of against it, Jeremy approached the work with a personal touch.

From the beginning, he made intentional choices that reflected his respect for the environment. Instead of using climbing spikes, which leave permanent gouges that trees must struggle to heal from, Jeremy invested in a spider lift. It was more costly, but it allowed him and his team to safely reach heights without scarring the very trees they were trying to preserve. That decision said everything about his approach: this wasn’t just a job, it was stewardship. Each choice carried the weight of his values, and each project reflected the kind of care he believed the land — and his customers — deserved.

Palm Coast quickly became more than a place to live — it became the backdrop for Jeremy’s vision. Days on the water fishing, riding through local trails, and being surrounded by the beauty of Northeast Florida reminded him of why he chose this path. That same love for the outdoors is woven into how he runs JMH Land Management. Every job is about more than clearing space; it’s about respecting the land and leaving it better than before. For Jeremy, Palm Coast isn’t just where he built his business — it’s where his values, his passion for nature, and his commitment to people all come together in the work he does every day.

Jeremy has forged meaningful connections and his testimonials solidify his mission while maintaining competitive pricing with values that matter to our community and customers. JMH Land Management provides insurance protection for both homeowners, property management, and his employees.

“Having been through what I went through, and seeing firsthand the injuries or even possible death from a fallen tree, I knew having that protection for everyone is important,” says Jeremy. “Everyone in the tree and land management business understands shortcuts can get you in trouble fast.”

Today, Jeremy Hornack is known as someone who embodies resilience, care, and integrity in everything he does. His path from a young soldier to a leader, survivor, and now entrepreneur reflects the same determination that carried him through his toughest battles. In Palm Coast, he’s more than a business owner, he’s a neighbor who understands the value of hard work, trust, and protecting what matters most.

From the quiet mornings fishing the Intracoastal to walking a property with a customer, Jeremy lives the life he has built with gratitude and purpose. He has taken the discipline of the Army and the lessons of hardship and turned them into a mission of service here at home. For him, every job is a chance to give back — not just to the land, but to the people and community that gave him a new beginning.

Top 10 Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized During All Periods of Service For Jeremy Hornack Army Service Career.

• Iraq Campaign Medal w/ Two Campaign Stars

• Army Commendation Medal (7th Award)

• Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award)

• Army Good Conduct Medal (2nd Award)

• National Defense Service Medal

• Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

• Korean Defense Service Medal

• Army Service Ribbon

• Combat Action Badge

• Driver and Mechanic Badge