Destin Chamber's Ladies Who Launch Powerhouse Women Series: Sandy Trammell

In 2023, Ladies Who Launch is continuing its Powerhouse Women Series, highlighting impactful women in our community. Our August Powerhouse Woman is Sandy Trammell, local businesswomen, past Destin City Councilperson and former teacher.

Trammell moved to Niceville in 1960 from England with her family, while her father was in the Air Force. She attended Edge Elementary, Ruckel Junior High School, Niceville High School, and Okaloosa-Walton Junior College, before graduating from the University of West Florida with a degree in Special Education and certifications in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Mental Retardation and Learning Disabilities. She later graduated with a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership.

Trammell begin her career in education at Combs New Heights Elementary School, in Fort Walton Beach, as a resource teacher for students with learning disabilities and then as a teacher in grades 1 - 4. She later served as a teacher on special assignment, where she determined eligibility for special education and wrote educational plans for students at Florosa Elementary School and Destin Middle School. The final two years of her education career she handled all special education student transfers into the district, as well as into five new juvenile justice facilities. She worked with parents, students, school psychologists, and teachers, designing an appropriate education plan.  In total, Trammell spent 30 years in the education field before retiring in 2003.

From 1980-1997, Trammell helped run her family's restaurant Outriggers Five, which was located on the north side of Highway 98 just east of Saint Andrew’s Church and across from Heron Harbor. She also served as Parish Council President of the Greek Orthodox Church in Fort Walton Beach, and served as the Chairwoman of the Greek Festival, held at the Emerald Coast Conference Center, for six years.

In 2003, she was elected to the Destin Water Users Board of Directors and still serves today.

In 2008, Trammell was elected to the Destin City Council, where she served for two terms until 2016. She was also Chairwoman of the Harbor Community Redevelopment Agency and instrumental in developing the Harbor Boardwalk phase 1. Trammell received the Outstanding Leadership award from the Florida League of Cities 2013-2016.  While serving on the Library Cooperative Board, she was instrumental in acquiring a partnership between the Okaloosa County Public School System and the Library Co-Operative, allowing daily courier service between the libraries saving two jobs and thousands of dollars for both organizations.

Since 2016, Trammell have served on various volunteer committees with the City of Destin. Currently, she is the Chair of the Parks and Recreation Committee and Vice-Chair of the Harbor Community Redevelopment Agency Volunteer Committee.  She is a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 296, the Destin History and Fishing Museum, and Impact 100. She served as a past board member for Impact 100.

Trammell has been married to her college sweetheart Karl Trammell for 50 years. They have two children, Monica and Matthew, who both live in Destin. Trammell and her husband, both retired Okaloosa County school teachers, are local business owners of Trammell Commercial Holdings, a warehouse leasing business. 

Ladies Who Launch, a committee of the Destin Chamber, offers the Chamber's female membership a platform for strategic networking and relationship building, while training, motivating and inspiring those members. 

There is no cost to attend this event, but space is limited, and registration is required. 

Lunch is not served at this event. You are welcome to bring your own.