ECEL Announces Emerging Leader of the Year


Destin Area Chamber President and CEO Shane A. Moody, CCE, IOM, presents the Emerging Leader of the Year Award to Natalie Simpson.

     Destin, FL, May 15 - More than 50 young professionals were in attendance on Wednesday, May 14, as Emerald Coast Emerging Leaders (ECEL) celebrated the success of its third year and presented the Emerging Leader of the Year Award to Natalie Simpson, legislative assistant for the Speaker-Designate of the Florida House of Representatives Ray Sansom.

     Since joining ECEL in early 2007, Simpson has become an active and dependable member of the organization. She regularly attends planning meetings, luncheons, and BASHes.

     “Most notably, she was a huge factor in the success of ECEL’s Young Professional Leadership Conference, [held at the Palms of Destin in November 2007]. She was instrumental in securing some of our large event sponsors and our keynote speaker. She attended most conference planning committee meetings and worked tirelessly during the event,” according to her nomination form. “And the fact that Rep. Sansom chose Natalie to uphold the integrity of his name, office, and district speaks very highly of her.”

     In addition to her involvement in ECEL, Simpson currently serves on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity, Fort Walton Beach YMCA, and Fort Walton Beach Rotary Scholarship Inc. She is a member of Immanuel Anglican Church in Destin and the Junior League of the Emerald Coast. She serves on the United Way Marketing Committee and mentors once a week through Take Stock In Children. Simpson is a student in the Leadership Okaloosa Class of 2008 and is one of the founders and secretary of the Young Republicans of Okaloosa County (YROC). She recently served on a mission trip to Africa.

     The Emerging Leader of the Year award was created to honor an ECEL member best exemplifying the qualities of an emerging leader, and the nomination form included questions about the nominee’s professional and civic involvement. Requests for award nominations were sent to all Destin Area Chamber of Commerce members, and ECEL’s Advisory Committee selected the winner from among those nominations. Other nominees included Jennifer Moffatt, Community Bank; Walaipan Thomas, AIG American General; and Melissa Wheeler.

     ECEL’s third anniversary BASH (Business And Social Hour) was sponsored by Southern Restaurant Group and featured a fish fry on the back porch of Fisherman’s Wharf overlooking the Destin harbor. Tropical music was provided by Chuck Lawson.