March 2016 Business Briefs / Member News Part 3

ASEC Presents Donation to The Arc of the Emerald Coast
The Autism Society of the Emerald Coast (ASEC) presented a $1,000 donation to The Arc of the Emerald Coast, formerly known as Horizons of Okaloosa County, in appreciation for the use of its facilities, located at 123 Truxton Ave., in Fort Walton Beach.  ASEC utilizes these facilities to hold gatherings of their EMERGE Group and other programs. Seen here, Toni McCormick, adult services manager at The Arc of the Emerald Coast, accepts check from Brad Burnette, director for the Autism Society of the Emerald Coast.


Warren Averett Launches New Financial Planning & Investment Solution
Warren Averett announces Emerant Wealth, a new fee-only, holistic financial planning solution for the emerging affluent, the retiree, and the professional. Emerant Wealth was created by Warren Averett Asset Management and will benefit from their resources, processes, and dedication to clients. 

“We were consistently seeing the need for a true financial planning and investment solution for the emerging wealthy and retirees,” said Josh Reidinger, President of Warren Averett Asset Management. “Emerant Wealth offers a more personalized solution than the trendy robo-advisor, where we can help translate long term goals into clear financial direction.”  

ResortQuest by Wyndham Vacation Rentals® Associate Wins 12 ADDY Awards 
ResortQuest by Wyndham Vacation Rentals associate Robyn Patterson was recently recognized with 12 prestigious ADDY Awards for her work on several print and digital campaigns.  Patterson received six Gold and four Silver awards and two Judge’s Choice at the 23rd Annual American Advertising Federation (AAF) Emerald Coast Chapter ADDY® Awards Gala.
Patterson was awarded Judge’s Choice and Gold ADDYs for two company-produced publications, the Northwest Florida Beach Vacation Guide cover and Destin Pointe Living in the category of Catalog Design. Additional Gold ADDY awards include Northwest Florida Beach Vacation Guide in the category of Magazine Design; ResortQuest ads for USSSA and VIE Magazines in the category of Magazine Advertisement; and Key to the Beach Privileges Program Guide in the category of Advertising Industry Self-Promotion Brand Elements. Silver ADDY Awards include ResortQuest Real Estate Sandestin Brochure in the category of Brochure; ResortQuest coozie graphic in the category of Illustration; ResortQuest Vehicle Wrap in the category of Public Transit Ad–Exterior; and ResortQuest Email Blast in the category of Advertising & Promotion—Email.

Nathan Abbott Team at ResortQuest Wins Top Producer for 4th Year
The Nathan Abbott Team received the 2015 Top Producers award from ResortQuest Real Estate. It had $41M in sales and listing production for the year. This is the team’s fourth consecutive year to receive the award. Also, one of its newest agents, Annie Belter, was awarded as the “2015 Rookie of the Year.” Annie closed out 2015 with $1,788,500 in sales. The Nathan Abbott Team is led by Nathan Abbott, president, along with 12 members and growing. 


Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Partners to Address Drug Overdose Problem
On March 1, 2016, the Okaloosa County Board County Commissioners approved an extremely important partnership between the Okaloosa County Department of Public Safety’s EMS Division and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office to address the rising opioid/heroin overdose problem in this region of the state. 

Undersheriff Don Adams reported that in 2015 “Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to 55 Heroin/Opiate overdoses.  Sadly, 19 of those cases resulted in deaths.” EMS Chief Tracey Vause Okaloosa reported that EMS administered Narcan, a lifesaving opioid antagonist medication, 343 times on 233 different patients in the same period. 

The Sheriff’s Office and EMS will work collaboratively in increasing the community’s access to Narcan through the Early Opiate Overdose Intervention Partnership Program. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is well positioned and can be easily trained to safely carry and administer Narcan to suspected opioid overdose patients, sometimes well in advance of an incoming EMS ambulance. The EMS Medical Director will oversee the training of Sheriff’s deputies and monitor the use of Naloxone under this program. 

Scheel Family Donates $10,000 for CIC Room
Matt and Pam Scheel, owners of Sundance Rental Management, Inc., presented Children in Crisis(CIC) a check for $10,000 to sponsor a bedroom in the Ty Pennington foster home. The donation will also provide funding for children’s activities throughout the year. Seen here, Ken Hair, CIC president and CEO, receives the donation from the Scheels.



Local Parrot Heads offer Families a Fresh Start 
The Emerald Coast Parrot Head Club donated $1,000 to Fresh Start for Children & Families to help local children and families who are struggling and in danger of being homeless. The money was raised during monthly meetings and at raffles, and the check was presented to Tracy Williams, executive director of Fresh Start, at a monthly membership social.