21 Graduate from Chamber Leadership and Community Education Program


Destin Area Chamber’s Chairman of the Board Myra Williams (right), Howard Group, presents the Destin Forward Leadership Award to Monica Autrey, Baskerville-Donovan, Inc.

     Destin, FL, May 8 - “You have taken the first step in becoming a leader in the Destin community. Don’t stop what you’ve started. Keep visible, keep active, keep leading,” said Destin Area Chamber President and CEO Shane Moody, CCE, IOM, as he addressed the 21 graduates of Destin Forward during a dinner on May 6.

     Destin Forward, the Chamber’s new community education and leadership program, was created by the Board of Directors to help find and educate future city and business leaders. After a retreat in August, the class spent the next eight months touring and learning about Destin’s waterways; tourism industry; development and real estate; arts, culture, and non-profits; environment; city programs and services; and the state legislature. Class requirements also included attendance at several Chamber and civic functions.

     As its community service project, the class took on the restoration of an old pilot house for the Destin History & Fishing Museum. The pilot house was dedicated to the museum in a ceremony on April 30. It now sits in front of the museum as a landmark, photo spot, and hands-on exhibit. During the ceremony, the class presented the museum with a check for $384.12, which was money leftover from the restoration.

     During the event, the Destin Forward Leadership Award, which was chosen by a class vote, was presented to class member Monica Autrey, Baskerville-Donovan, Inc. Autrey was chosen for the tremendous leadership role she took in the pilot house restoration.

     “Sometimes you have the misconception that you know all you need to know. As a native of Destin, I can honestly say I learned something new about Destin at each class and met some great friends doing it,” said Autrey about her experience in the class.

     Autrey will now sit on the Destin Forward Advisory Committee along with three of her classmates, Steve Cann, UBS Financial Services, Inc.; Lisa Hanson, Newman-Dailey Resort Properties, Inc.; and Kelly Sandro, Whitney National Bank. The committee, chosen by class vote, will help steer class programming. Each year, four class members will be chosen to sit on the committee for 3-year terms.

     Members of Destin Forward’s inaugural class include Monica Autrey, Baskerville-Donovan, Inc.; Kellyanne Bartleson, Pleat & Perry, P.A.; Chad Branson, Carr, Riggs, and Ingram, LLC; David Butler, Sam Taylor Buick-Cadillac; Steven Cann, UBS Financial Services, Inc.; Heather Culbertson; Dana Dietrich, Howard Group; Risa Garner, Destin Area Chamber of Commerce; Lisa Hanson, Newman-Dailey Resort Properties; Philip Justiss, Colonial Bank; Tonya Lagergren, Destin Water Users, Inc.; Kristen Mills; Jennifer Moffatt, Community Bank; Chad Ryan, Merrill Lynch; Kelly Sandro, Whitney National Bank; Ian Smith, Advanced Systems Group; Mary Kathryn Speake, GulfSouth Private Bank; Elizabeth Spies, Destin Area Chamber of Commerce; Winter Spires, Pleat & Perry, P.A.; Michael Taylor, Southern Resorts; and Jim Wood, Santa Rosa Golf and Beach Club.

     For more information about the program or how to join the class of 2009, please contact Risa Garner at (850) 837-2711 x2.