Destin, FL, Jan. 15 - On the evening of Friday, Jan. 12, members from the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce gathered at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa to celebrate 2006 successes and install the 2007 Officers and Board of Directors. The theme of the evening was Celebrating Our World-Class Mission. This theme is a testament to the work done by the members, board, and staff toward fulfilling the vision of Building a World-Class Community One Business at a Time.

     During the Annual Awards and Installation Banquet, awards were given to five outstanding members of our chamber and our community. The Business Person of the Year Award was given to John Comer, Southern Restaurant Group. Comer was recognized for his business successes, as well as his significant contribution to the community through the commitment of five local restaurants to the 28th Annual Destin Seafood Festival, held this past October. The Back Porch, Café Grazie, Fisherman’s Wharf, Louisiana Lagniappe, and Pompano Joe’s help put local seafood back into the 3-day festival, which was attended by more than 25,000 locals and tourists.

     The Jim Darling Seafood Festival Volunteer of the Year Award was given to Larry Phillips. Phillips spent long hours in preparation of and during the Destin Seafood Festival. In addition to being helpful throughout all aspects of the festival, his primary role was one of the most difficult, trash pick up. Early every morning and at the festival’s end, he and his team ensured the festival grounds were in tiptop shape.

     The James D. Neilson, Sr., Chairman’s Award for Volunteer Service was given Karen McCarthy, Army Aviation Center Federal Credit Union. Chosen by staff and the Chairman of the Board, this award signified McCarthy’s dedication to success in all areas of the chamber’s mission. In addition to being this year’s Treasurer of the Board, she dedicated years of service to the Destin Seafood Festival, attended countless Ambassador and community and economic development committee meetings, and attended many community meetings affecting the chamber.

     For the fifth straight year, the Ambassador of the Year Award was given to Paul Woolman, Copy Systems Business Center, Inc. As an Ambassador, Woolman sponsored and welcomed new businesses into our membership and acted as a greeter during ribbon cuttings, monthly breakfasts, and business after hours. In honor of his fifth win and his continued outstanding service to the chamber, the award was officially titled the Paul Woolman Ambassador of the Year Award.

     The Ann Gibson Community Service Award, which was introduced at last year’s banquet, is named in honor of Ann Gibson and her commitment to making Destin a better place for all to enjoy. The award was given to City Council Member Sam Seevers, Life’s A Beach, for her leadership, commitment, and service to the Destin community.

     Also during the event, 2006 Chairman of the Board Kevin Bowyer, O’Sullivan Creel, LLP, passed the gavel to the incoming 2007 Chairman David Pleat, Pleat & Perry, P.A. Other members of the 2007 Executive Committee include Chairman Elect Myra Williams, Howard Group; Treasurer Mike Freeman, Whitney National Bank; Vice Chairman/Communications & Marketing George Brannon, Jr., Southern Escrow & Title; Vice Chairman/Community & Economic Development Laura Koon, Destin Water Users, Inc.; and Vice Chairman/Membership Development Karen McCarthy, Army Aviation Center Federal Credit Union.

     Members of the 2007 Board of Directors include Carmela Bell, ResortQuest Real Estate; Gabby Bruce, A 2 Z Specialty Advertising; Tim Edwards, Fudpucker’s Beachside Bar & Grill; Mike Fitzhugh, BankTrust; Brian Haugen, UBS Financial Services, Inc.; Bill Head, Ft. Walton Beach Medical Center; Kevin Helmich, Kevin M. Helmich, P.A.; Rick Thomason, Destin Log; and Paul Woolman, Copy Systems Business Center, Inc. Ex-Officio/Immediate Past Chairman is Tim Fulmer, Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC. Chairman’s Appointees include Alan Jowers, Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC, and Ed McMullen, Jr., Legendary, Inc. Special Appointees include Jim Breitenfeld, Destin Harbor Association; Susie Cross, Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC; and Jeanne Dailey, Newman-Dailey Resort Properties, Inc.