Destin, FL, Jan. 11 - On the evening of Friday, Jan. 11, members from the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce gathered in the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa to celebrate 2007 successes and install the 2008 Officers and Board of Directors.

     Reiterating the event theme, Commanding Business Success, was keynote speaker former Space Shuttle Commander and fighter pilot Richard A. Searfoss.

     “We wanted a speaker who is an example of true leadership and has succeeded at the highest level. Commanding the space shuttle, being a test pilot, logging the hours he has certainly puts him at the highest level. He’ll be able to translate that into making businesses successful,” said Chamber President and CEO Shane A. Moody, CCE, IOM.

     Before relinquishing his role, 2007 Chamber Chairman David Pleat, Pleat & Perry, P.A., summed up his year of service.

     "I am very proud of the Chamber’s accomplishments for 2007. Despite the challenges to all of our members in our current market, our membership was up, and membership revenue increased. Our recent survey results reflected that we placed high in all categories. The Seafood Festival was our best ever, and the Destin Forward community education program got off to a great start in 2007. We continued our partnerships with municipal leaders and civic organizations to solve regional problems like beach renourishment, traffic, and harbor redevelopment. Thanks to the efforts of our great staff and the leadership of Shane Moody, it was a productive year. Special thanks to all our event sponsors and the tremendous dedication of the Executive Committee and my fellow Board members," said Pleat.

     During the banquet, awards were given to five outstanding members of our Chamber and our community. The Business Person of the Year Award was given to Peter Bos, Legendary, Inc. Bos was recognized for his business successes, as well as his contributions to the Destin community and the Destin Area Chamber. In addition to shaping the future of Destin through Legendary’s numerous projects throughout the community, Bos, through Legendary, supports the Chamber at its highest level of membership and sponsored the 29th Annual Destin Seafood Festival as the official, and first ever, Corporate Sponsor. Bos was nominated “because of his commitment to the community and the impact he has on Destin,” according to the nomination form.

     The Jim Darling Seafood Festival Volunteer of the Year Award was given to Bill Bruening, O’Sullivan Creel, LLP. Bruening spent long hours in preparation of and during the Destin Seafood Festival. His primary role was recruiting and overseeing the volunteers transporting money during festival hours. Though Bruening’s official seafood festival role did not require it, he was present throughout the entire festival, assisting wherever was needed.

     The James D. Neilson, Sr., Chairman’s Award for Volunteer Service was given Brian Haugen, UBS Financial Services, Inc. Chosen by staff and the Chairman of the Board, this award signified Haugen’s dedication to success in all areas of the Chamber’s mission. His contributions are numerous: official host of the Chamber’s monthly television show, Destin Business Forum; the 2006-2007 Military Affairs Committee Chairman; upcoming Vice Chairman of Membership Development; and, for the last several years, the official door prize announcer during the monthly Chamber breakfasts.

     After Paul Woolman, Copy Systems Business Center, Inc., won the Ambassador of the Year Award for five straight years, the award was officially renamed the Paul Woolman Ambassador of the Year Award at the 2007 banquet. The winner of the first Paul Woolman Ambassador of the Year Award was Richard Barrington, Holiday Isle Properties, Inc. As an Ambassador, Barrington sponsors and welcomes new businesses into our membership and acts as a greeter during ribbon cuttings, monthly breakfasts, and business after hours. As staff will attest to, Barrington is always the first to arrive at any event and is ready to assist in whatever capacity needed.

     The Ann Gibson Community Service Award was given to Tim Edwards, Fudpucker’s Beachside Bar & Grill, for his leadership, commitment, and service to the Destin community.

     Edwards “played a vital and active role in the beach renourishment issue, among other community and economic development issues,” according to his nomination form. He also facilitated renewed relationships between the Destin Area Chamber and other regional organizations.

     Also during the event, Pleat passed the gavel to the incoming 2008 Chairman Myra Williams, Howard Group.

     “David has been inspirational and brought great balance to the Chamber 's future; his background led us in new directions. He and other chairmen laid an excellent foundation, from which we can move forward. We will continue to serve our members and explore new opportunities for all, creating new initiatives that favor and promote the expansion of existing and future businesses. Through our relationships with neighboring chambers, tourist development councils, local and state government, and other entities, we intend to maximize the Chamber’s influence,” said Williams.

     Other members of the 2008 Executive Committee include Chairman Elect Karen McCarthy, Army Aviation Center Federal Credit Union; Treasurer Mike Freeman, Whitney National Bank; Vice Chairman/Communications & Marketing George Brannon, Jr., Southern Escrow & Title; Vice Chairman/Community & Economic Development Tim Edwards, Fudpucker’s Beachside Bar & Grill; and Vice Chairman/Membership Development Brian Haugen, UBS Financial Services, Inc.

     Members of the 2008 Board of Directors include Carmela Bell, ResortQuest Real Estate; Kevin Bowyer, O’Sullivan Creel, LLP; Gabby Bruce, A 2 Z Specialty Advertising; Bill Head, Ft. Walton Beach Medical Center; Bill Lindsley, Simple HR; Ed McMullen, Jr., Legendary Realty, Inc.; Rick Thomason, The Destin Log and Walton Sun; and Paul Woolman, Copy Systems Business Center, Inc. Chairman’s Appointees include Alan Jowers, Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC; and Mary Anne Windes, Real Estate Professionals of Destin and Destin Fishing Fleet Marina. Special Appointees include Jim Breitenfeld, Destin Harbor Association; Jim Chitwood, Okaloosa-Walton College Foundation; Jeanne Dailey, Newman-Dailey Resort Properties, Inc; and Cory Fosdyck, Merrill Lynch.