Destin Area Chamber Awards Outstanding Members and Installs 2010 Board

     Destin, FL, Jan. 22 - On the evening of Friday, Jan. 22, members from the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce gathered in the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa to celebrate 2009 successes and install the 2010 Officers and Board of Directors.

     “As I look forward to my year at the helm of the Destin Area Chamber, I am excited about what I see. Among its first tasks for 2010, your Chamber’s Board of Directors developed a new mission statement: To create a dynamic alliance of the business community and government through member-driven initiatives and services that enable responsible growth and economic prosperity,” said the incoming 2010 Chamber Chairman of the Board Brian Haugen, Emerald Coast Wealth Advisors of Raymond James & Associates. “This focused mission, together with the Board’s designation of 2010 as ‘the Year of the Member,’ shows the direction your leadership has set forth… I have no doubt we can accomplish what we’ve put before us.”

     During the banquet, the Chamber’s most prestigious annual awards were presented to outstanding members of our Chamber and our community. The James D. Neilson, Sr., Chairman’s Award for Volunteer Service was given to the entire 2009 Board of Directors because of the level of engagement, enthusiasm, and involvement of its members in all Chamber programs and services during the year.

     Due to the integrity, dignity, know-how, and care for his business and the people who work there, the Business Person of the Year Award was given to Jeff Linn, Gulf Coast Electric.

     The Ann Gibson Community Service Award was given to William Head, Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, who was also last year’s recipient of the James D. Neilson, Sr., Chairman’s Award for Volunteer Service. His love of Destin is apparent because of the numerous boards on which he serves, the many events he attends, and the many hours he volunteers.

     For the third year in a row, the winner of the Paul Woolman Ambassador of the Year Award was Richard Barrington, Holiday Isle Properties, Inc. Barrington was present at almost every Chamber event and ribbon cutting, and his efforts played a major role in motivating other Ambassadors to participate.

     Though not present, the Jim Darling Seafood Festival Volunteer of the Year Award was given to two volunteers who oversee the festival’s bank and command center and have kept both running efficiently for years. They are Veronica Hughes and Peggy Threadgill, FNBT.com Bank.

     Also during the event, 2009 Chairman of the Board Karen McCarthy, Army Aviation Center Federal Credit Union, passed the gavel to the incoming 2010 Chairman Brian Haugen, Emerald Coast Wealth Advisors of Raymond James & Associates.

     Members of the 2010 Executive Committee were introduced, including Chairman Elect Mike Freeman, Whitney National Bank; Immediate Past Chairman Karen McCarthy, Army Aviation Center Federal Credit Union; Treasurer Bill Lindsley, Simple HR; Vice Chairman/Communications & Marketing Tim Edwards, Fudpucker’s Beachside Bar & Grill; Vice Chairman/Community & Economic Development Les Porterfield, Porterfield Engineering, Inc.; Vice Chairman/Membership Development Jim Breitenfeld, Emerald Consulting and Management Group; and Vice Chairman/Harbor Advisory Board Shane Cannon, Ballard Cannon Development.

     Other members of the 2010 Board of Directors introduced included Ed Adams, Gulf Coast Shutter; Carmela Bell, ResortQuest Real Estate; Kevin Bowyer, O’Sullivan Creel, LLP; Shaun Eubanks, Community Bank, Destin; Bill Head, Fort Walton Beach Medical Center; Ed McMullen, Jr., Legendary Realty, Inc.; Amy Perry, Pleat & Perry, P.A.; Kathy Whidden, Emerald Coast Chiropractic; Mary Anne Windes, Real Estate Professionals of Destin and Destin Fishing Fleet Marina; Ex-Officio/Most Recent Immediate Past Chairman Myra Williams, Howard Group; Chairman’s Appointee Tonya Holman, Coastal Bank and Trust; Chairman’s Appointee Carey Trotter, Trotter’s General Contractors, Inc.; and Special Appointee/Military Affairs Committee Kim Wintner, Alliance Association Management Co. Inc.

     Also honored during the event were outgoing Board members George Brannon, Jr., Southern Escrow & Title; and Myra Williams, Howard Group.