Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce honors past, present members

The Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce hosted 134 people at its 2017 Annual Awards and Installation Banquet, themed "The Wild West," on Jan. 27.

Attendees enjoyed a cocktail reception before the program. Stan Morehead gave the invocation; Mike Sandler led the Pledge of Allegiance. An "In Memoriam" presentation honored chamber Lifetime Member and 1997 Legends Award winner Shirley Brown. A gourmet dinner was served while guests enjoyed a "Year in Review" slideshow following the tribute. 

Honored guests included Jim Parker, president of the chamber in 1973, and Bill Pullum, president of the chamber in 1974 and 1984. Attendees enjoyed hearing Parker share stories about the beginnings of the chamber, 41 years ago, and accomplishments the community enjoyed because of the chamber: long distance service, the first school, development of Navarre Park and the fishing pond. He also shared how the community had grown from one deputy available in the south end of Santa Rosa County to what it is today. Parker and Pullum each received Lifetime Achievement Awards.

The 2016 Citizen of the Year Award went to Ralph Agnew, “who has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the Navarre area, and Outreach Navarre (Navarre's Weekend Food Program) was the recipient of the of 2016 Corporate Citizen of the Year Award for their willingness to serve the children of the Navarre community,” a media release stated.

The Chairman’s Award, specifically chosen by Chairman Linda Fusco, went to Regina Carter, Ron Carnes, Jan Clark, Norm Crowder, Joey Harrell, Michelle Massey, Mike Sandler, Mike Simpson and Stacy Wright.

Judy Morehead, president/CEO, was presented with the Leadership Award.

Other 2016 Award winners included Ambassador of the Year, Marcia Allen; Volunteer of the Year, Carl and Shawn Bolender; Director of the Year, Mike Simpson; Spirit of Navarre, Pirates of the Panhandle; Business of the Year, Keller Williams Realty – Emerald Coast; Member of the Year, Earl Beavers; Non-Profit of the Year, Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center; and the President’s Award, Sheila Walker. 

In addition, Outgoing Directors Regina Carter (2010-2016), Norm Crowder (2013-2016) and Michelle Massey (2013-2016) received special recognition.

New 2017 officers and directors were inducted with an oath of office administered by Santa Rosa County Commissioner Rob Williamson. 2017 board officers include: Mike Sandler, chair (Hurlburt Chiefs Group); Mike Simpson, chair-elect (Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate); Gail Acosta, vice chair (Sandpaper Marketing); Kelley Fuller, treasurer (100+ Women Who Care – Emerald Coast); and Linda Fusco, immediate past chair (All Phase Cleaning). 

The 2017 board of directors includes: Cindy Berry (Okaloosa Gas District); Shawn Bolender (individual member); Jennifer Bryant (Juana’s/Sailors’ Grill); Ron Carnes (ResortQuest by Wyndham Vacation Rentals); Jan Clark (Made for You Gifts/SendOutCards); Frankie Gibbs (individual member); Gerry Gullup (Navarre Beach Laundry); Joey Harrell (Santa Rosa County School District); Sarah Hasty (New York Life Insurance); Bob Levison (Systems of Sound); Dennis Schroeder (Cox Business); and Stacy Wright (University Lending).

Outgoing 2016 Chair Linda Fusco expressed her thanks to and appreciation of the 2016 board.  She then passed the gavel to 2017 Chairman, Mike Sandler.  Everyone was invited to stay for the after-party featuring entertainer Steve Hall of "I Do" Beach Weddings.

The Awards Banquet’s sponsors included: Full Circle Therapy, Navarre Chamber Foundation, Navarre Press, Cox Business, A Loyal Vision, Gulf Power Company, Keller Williams Realty – Emerald Coast, Michele Tucker – Century 21 Island View Realty LLC, Mike Simpson – Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, Plastic Engraving and University Lending Group.  

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce honors past, present members