Destin Chamber Celebrates 50-Year Anniversary & Awards Outstanding Members

Destin, Fla., Dec. 16 - On Dec. 15, the Destin Chamber celebrated its 50 years of service to the Destin community, during the 50^thAnniversary Gala & Awards Ceremony presented by Fort Walton Beach Medical Center and Twin Cities Hospital. The grand event, which was held at Destin’s newest luxury resort, The Henderson, culminated in a champagne toast led by 14 of the Chamber’s past chairmen and presidents. (See photo above)

More than 275 Chamber members were present to witness the festivities, including the presentation of the Chamber’s most prestigious annual awards, which were announced by Chamber Chairman Jonathan Ochs, Trustmark National Bank.

 
 

(Top left) For her years on the Chamber’s board, her long-running role as host of the Chamber’s TV show, and for her company’s continued support of and involvement in Chamber programming, Amy Perry, Pleat & Perry, P.A., received the James D. Neilson, Sr., Chairman’s Award for Volunteer Service. Ochs also presented her with a plaque recognizing seven years of service to the Board of Directors, including one year as Chairman.

(Top right) Kim Wintner, Alliance Association Management Co. Inc., received the Business Person of the Year Award.

In presenting the award, Ochs read from the nomination form: “soft spoken with great compassion; takes great pleasure in raising up his employees; has a way of expanding your thought process enabling you to see things in a broader, brighter light; engages with everyone, taking a heart-felt interest in each individual; always conducts himself with dignity and respect; and treats everyone around him the same.”

(Bottom left) Jason Belcher, FNBT Bank, received the Ann Gibson Community Service Award.

“His love for his community and his fellow man shows through everything he does,” explained Ochs, after listing Belcher’s positive involvement in many area organizations.

(Bottom right) For the fourth straight year, the winner of the Paul Woolman Ambassador of the Year Award was Bill Head, for his untiring service to the Chamber and its Ambassador Program.

After the awards presentation, guests crowded onto the dance floor, as TriggerProof, dubbed “the Best Party Band of the South,” took the stage.

Thank you to all event sponsors that contributed greatly to the event’s success, including Title Sponsor Fort Walton Beach Medical Center & Twin Cities Hospital; VIP Reception Sponsor Trustmark National Bank; Gala Sponsors Dale E. Peterson Vacations and Newman-Dailey Resort Properties, Inc.; Entertainment Sponsor Destin Commons; Champagne Toast Sponsor ZT Motors of Fort Walton Beach; Platinum Sponsor Cox Communications, Inc.; Gold Sponsors Southern Light and Today's Fashion Boutique; Valet Sponsor CartoBlue; Cocktail Napkin Sponsor Insight Investments, LLC; and Sponsors Destin Beach Photography Company; Perfect Imprints; and Smile Y'all Photo Booth.

Destin Chamber Reveals New Logo & Kicks Off 50th Anniversary Year at Annual Banquet

Destin, Fla., Jan. 18 – The Destin Chamber has a new look! On Friday, Jan. 15, during its Annual Awards & Installation Banquet, the Chamber unveiled its new logo.

“I think the new logo certainly reflects what we want to project as our brand.  We’ve captured the tourism component with the waves and colors, but we also captured a growing business community and growing economy with the waves growing from small to large and growing higher.  It’s clean, it’s fresh, it’s iconic.  It’s something our Board is proud of, and we know our members are as well,” explained Chamber President and CEO Shane Moody, CCE, FCCP.

The event also kicked off the Chamber’s 50^th anniversary year, which included recognition of two members, FNBT Bank (left) and Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park (right), who have been members since 1966, the year the Chamber was established.

More than 200 Chamber members gathered at the Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village to witness the festivities, which included the presentation of annual awards and installation of 2016 officers and board of directors.


Outgoing Chamber Chairman Ken Wampler (right), Newman-Dailey Resort Properties, Inc., presented the awards. Julie Cotton (left), Northwest Florida State College, received the James D. Neilson, Sr., Chairman’s Award for Volunteer Service.
“Our winner has always been there for advice, guidance, direction, and simple, even-keeled decision making,” explained Wampler. “She has shown a true passion for the Destin Chamber.” 


Kathy (left) and Ken Whidden (right) of Emerald Coast Chiropractic received the Business Person of the Year Award. 

In presenting the award, Wampler read from the nomination form: The Whiddens “are an outstanding example of local business owners, active community service volunteers, and civic volunteers. They have run a growing local business for over 14 years, contribute to various charitable organizations, and lead by example in encouraging others to also contribute time and talent whenever possible.”


Jeanne Dailey (left), Newman-Dailey Resort Properties, Inc., received the Ann Gibson Community Service Award.

“There isn’t much that’s happened in the Destin community over the past couple of decades in which this year’s winner has not been a part – beach restoration, formation and leadership of Citizens for Good Leadership, the Destin Chamber, the United Way, Rotary, the TDCs of Okaloosa and Walton counties, the Destin Charity Wine Auction,” said Wampler.


For the third straight year, the winner of the Paul Woolman (right) Ambassador of the Year Award was Bill Head (left), for his untiring service to the Chamber and its Ambassador Program.

Outgoing Board members recognized with a plaque for their service included Steve Jay, Warren Averett; Jami Jones, Big Red Truck; Karen McCarthy, Army Aviation Center Federal Credit Union; and Scott Seay, Southern Vacation Rentals.
Members of the newly installed 2016 Executive Committee include Chairman Jonathan Ochs, Trustmark National Bank; Chairman Elect Lockwood Wernet, Destin Water Users, Inc.; Treasurer Bill Lindsley, SimpleHR; Immediate Past Chair Ken Wampler, Newman-Dailey Resort Properties, Inc.; Vice Chairman – Communications & Marketing Michelle Terry, Dale E. Peterson Vacations; Vice Chairman – Community & Economic Development Bob Perry, Destin Commons; and Vice Chairman – Membership Development Fred Fenn, Fenn Properties, LLC.
Other members of the 2016 Board of Directors include Jeramie Bates, Destin Pointe by Wyndham Vacation Rentals; Kevin Bowyer, Warren Averett; Jason Connor, ValleyCrest Landscape Maintenance, Inc.; Julie Cotton, Northwest Florida State College;  Hayward Dykes, Conerly, Bowman & Dykes, LLP; Rebecca Jones, The Rehabilitation Institute of Northwest Florida/Fort Walton Beach Medical Center; Pam Martin, Gulf Power; Brock Rice, Regions Bank; Most Immediate Past Chairman/Ex-Officio Amy Perry, Pleat, Perry & Ritchie, P.A.; Chairman’s Appointee Steve Barber, Destin VIP Magazine and barber & gall promotions; Chairman’s Appointee Jennifer Lovell, Coastal Bank and Trust; and Special Appointee Kim Wintner, Alliance Association Management Co., Inc.

For more information and to see photos from the event, please visit https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.912764992154202.1073741956.105008336263209&type=3.

Chamber Installs Officers and Presents Awards

Last night, more than 200 members of the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce gathered at the Emerald Coast Convention Center to celebrate 2013 successes and install the 2014 Officers and Board of Directors.  

One event highlight included the presentation of the Six Pillars Community Designation to the Crestview Area, Destin Area, Greater Fort Walton Beach, and Niceville Valparaiso Chambers of Commerce and the EDC of Okaloosa County.

Following the Six Pillars Community Designation, outgoing Chamber Chairman Mary Anne Windes of Real Estate Professionals of Destin, Inc., presented the 2013 annual awards.

The James D. Neilson, Sr., Chairman’s Award for Volunteer Service was given to Capt. Mike and Kathy Eller in recognition of their service to the community and to the Destin Seafood Festival.

The Business Person of the Year Award was given to Charles Morgan of Harbor Docks Restaurant.

“Not only is he one of the most successful restaurateurs in Destin, he uses his success to help others in need through many charitable events every year,” explained Windes.  “He is one of the strongest supporters of buying and consuming local seafood, running one of the most aggressive and creative advertising campaigns ever seen.”

The Ann Gibson Community Service Award was given to Audrey Jacobs of Coastal Bank and Trust for her service to countless local non-profit organizations.  Her nomination form stated, “the long-term effects of her active service to our community will be seen by many generations.”

The winner of the Paul Woolman Ambassador of the Year Award was Bill Head, for his untiring service to the Chamber and its Ambassador Program.  He is typically the first to volunteer, the first to arrive, and the last to leave Chamber events.

Retired Gen. Joe Oder presented the Retired Military Person of the Year Award to Destin City Councilor Jim Wood.

"This year's winner has done so much for the community that we can't begin to describe it all," said Oder. "Seldom do you attend something in this community and not see him."

Outgoing Board members recognized with a plaque for their service included Mike Freeman, Acentria Insurance; Cyndy Thomas, Wyndham Vacation Rentals; and Charles Morgan, Harbor Docks Restaurant.  Those not present included Andi Mahoney, White-Wilson Medical Center; Carey Trotter, Trotter’s General Contractors, Inc.; and Jim Breitenfeld, Breitenfeld Development Services.

Past Chairmen helped Windes pass the gavel onto 2014 Chairman Amy Perry, Pleat, Perry & Ritchie, P.A.  

The rest of the 2014 Executive Committee includes Chairman Elect Ken Wampler, Newman-Dailey Resort Properties, Inc.; Immediate Past Chairman Mary Anne Windes, Real Estate Professionals of Destin, Inc.; Treasurer Jonathan Ochs, Trustmark National Bank; Vice Chairman – Communications & Marketing Julie Cotton, Northwest Florida State College;  Vice Chairman – Community & Economic Development Hayward Dykes, Conerly, Bowman & Dykes, LLP; Vice Chairman – Membership Development Rebecca Jones, Fort Walton Beach Medical Center; and Vice Chairman – Harbor Advisory Board Jami Jones, Destin Charter Service.

Other members of the 2014 Board of Directors include Jeramie Bates, Wyndham Vacation Rentals; Shaun Eubanks, Barton, Fenstermaker, Tondello & Associates, LLC; Steve Jay, Warren Averett; Pam Martin, Gulf Power; Dave Morrow, Allstate Insurance – Ryland/Morrow Agency; Bob Perry, Destin Commons; Paul Schreiner, Carrabba’s Italian Grill; Lockwood Wernet, Destin Water Users, Inc.; Most Recent Immediate Past Chairman Ex-Officio Bill Lindsley, SimpleHR/SimplerHIRE; Chairman’s Appointee Fred Fenn, Fenn Properties, LLC; Chairman’s Appointee Michelle Terry, Dale E. Peterson Vacations; Special Appointee Karen McCarthy, Army Aviation Center Federal Credit Union; and Special Appointee Kim Wintner, Alliance Association Management Co., Inc.

Event attendees also enjoyed comedian Marty Simpson and a silent auction.  For more photos, like us on Facebook.