10 Graduate from Chamber Leadership and Community Education Program


Chamber Chairman Brian Haugen, Emerald Coast Wealth Advisors of Raymond James & Associates presents the Leadership Award to Karen Jankowski, City of Destin.

The Destin Forward Class of 2010 dedicates its community service project, a plaque to city founder Leonard Destin, which will reside permanently on the Destin Harbor by the Destin Fishing Fleet Marina.

     Destin, FL, May 19 - “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 learning, keep leading,” said Chamber President and CEO Shane Moody, CCE, IOM, as he addressed the 10 graduates of Destin Forward during a ceremony on May 12.

     Destin Forward, the Chamber’s 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 created a memorial to Leonard Destin, the city’s founder, which will permanently reside on the Destin Harbor by the Destin Fishing Fleet Marina. The memorial was dedicated with a ribbon cutting on May 13.

     During the graduation event, the Destin Forward Leadership Award, which was chosen by a class vote, was presented to class member Karen Jankowski from the City of Destin. Four graduates were also chosen by class vote to join the Destin Forward Advisory Committee for 3-year terms. Those graduates include Brad Beckman, Professional Service Industries (PSI), Inc.; Kurt Olis, O’Sullivan Creel, LLP; Jennifer Lovell, Coastal Bank & Trust; and Kerry McNulty, Newman-Dailey Resort Properties, Inc. Other graduates include Lionel Fayard, Alliance Association Management Co. Inc.; Emily Kernin, Community Bank, Destin; Paula Murphy, Whitney National Bank; Eric Navarre, Trustmark National Bank; and Peter Stoddard, Destin.ZapGuide.Org.

     For more information about the program or how to join the class of 2011, please contact Risa Garner at (850) 837-2711 x2. Applications are being accepted through June 24.