Wintner is 2009 Destin Area Retired Military Person of the Year

     Destin, FL, Dec. 2 - To honor a local veteran active in the Destin community, the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce’s Military Affairs Committee (MAC) created the Destin Area Retired Military Person of the Year Award. During the Chamber’s Nov. 13 breakfast, Kim Wintner, Alliance Association Management Co. Inc., was announced as the 2009 winner.

     “I was a military brat before my 30 year Air Force career even began,” explained Wintner, who said he was fortunate to be stationed at Hurlburt Field and Eglin Air Force Base as his two last assignments. He chose to stay in the area after retirement.

     “Receiving this award for supporting and working with the military is somewhat awkward for me, as it is certainly a natural labor of love. This year, I have been working to show the community more about the individual soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen who are assigned here. For example, many of the great chefs of our community met and taught classes for some of the Air Force cooks at both bases, helping Eglin to win the Best Food Service Program in the Air Force Award,” said Wintner. “The men and women in uniform are nothing short of amazing, and Destin has embraced them and their families.”

     The award was voted on by the entire MAC and was presented by 2008 winner William C. (Bill) Head, Fort Walton Beach Medical Center. For more information on the Destin Area Retired Military Person of the Year Award or MAC, please call the Chamber at (850) 837-6241.