View This Issue - Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce

The Greater Panama City Beaches Chamber of Commerce 

your connection to the beach 

Chamber’s Annual Report 

and 2008 Program of Work 

PRSRT STD 

US POSTAGE 

PAID 

PERMIT NO 50 

PANAMA CITY FL 

January/February 2008 Vol 3 Issue 1 

www.pcbeach.org

With Two Locations to Serve You: 

BEACH: 11205 Hutchison Blvd. (850) 233-2111 

CITY: 1344 W. 15th Street (850) 872-1955

The Circuit January/February 2008 3

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dining out 

IN PANAMA CITY BEACH 

March/April 2007 Vol 2 Issue 2 

November/December 2007 Vol 2 Issue 6 

MEMBER NEWS 

AROUND TOWN 

GRAND OPENINGS 

CALENDAR OF 

EVENTS 

Don’t Miss 

BUSINESS EXPO 

Tuesday, April 24th 

at Boardwalk Beach Resort 



going green 

10 

www.pcbeach.org 

Green Adventures in 


8 Ways to Green 

Up Your Life 

1 New Nature 

Center on the way 

BANKING CENTER 

REAL ESTATE CORNER 


AROUND TOWN 

MEMBER NEWS 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 

www.pcbeach.org 

Are You 

Connected 

to the Beach? 

Advertise your business 

in The Circuit! 

2008 Spotlight 

Schedule: 

JAN/FEB 

Chamber’s Annual Report 

MAR/APR 

Dining in Panama City Beach 

MAY/JUN 

Shopping & Things To Do 

JUL/AUG 

Resorts and Real Estate 

SEP/OCT 

Health & Wellness 

NOV/DEC 

Ecotourism 

Rates & Information: 

Skip Alford 

(850) 814-4292 

Tyler Finklea 

(850) 691-6259 

c h a i r m a n ‘ s r e p o r t 

Hello Chamber members! First of all, I 

sincerely hope everyone had a happy and 

safe New Year’s celebration. 2008 will 

bring both excitement and challenges, 

and I am happy to be serving as your 

Chairman. I am looking forward to all 

of the positive things happening with 

The Greater Panama City Beaches 

Chamber of Commerce. That 

being said, it would be remiss and 

negligent of me if I did not take the 

opportunity to thank my friend and 

your past Chairman, David Powell 

for his excellent leadership in 2007. Whether working 

with the Staff, the Board of Directors, or serving as 

the voice of the Chamber throughout the community, 

David’s support and dedication to this Chamber has 

been obvious and well received. 

The new year brings to our community new faces, 

new businesses, new roads and new infrastructure. It 

brings to the Beaches Chamber new members, a new 

Board of Directors, and a beautiful new building to 

showcase. The annual Board Planning Retreat in 

November, facilitated by Chamber professional and 

p r e s i d e n t ‘ s r e p o r t 

Ihope you will enjoy this month’s Special Edition 

“Second Generations: Making A Difference.” 

I started this report writing 

about each person featured, that I 

have had the honor and pleasure to 

work with. Before I realized it, I 

had written several pages and I was 

only halfway through. The Chamber 

would not be where it is today, or as 

successful, without the families that 

are mentioned in this publication. 

There are so many families that have given their time 

and support, we could not list them all. 

Our community has grown at a rapid pace over the 

last 20 years. Many positive changes are attributed 

award-winning instructor Chuck Ewart, focused on 

what tools and resources are needed to move us into 

the future and a new Plan of Objectives and Strategies 

was developed (see the Chamber’s 

Annual Report and 2008 Program of 

Work on page 14). 

What will help our community 

embrace growth, and promote a 

positive REGIONAL image and 

brand for Panama City Beach? It will 

take Strong, Passionate Leadership, 

Communication, 

Collaboration, 

Involvement and Participation between business 

organizations and chambers, both local and those in our 

neighboring counties. If you’re not sure where to get 

started, call the Beaches Chamber at (850) 235-1159. 

The staff has put together an exciting schedule of events 

for 2008 including Fridays at the Beach on the second 

Friday of every month, After Hours mixers at fun, new 

locations, and the Annual Awards Banquet coming up 

next month at Edgewater. 

See you out and about! 

Al McCambry 

Debi Knight 

to the leaders of this community that are proud to call 

Panama City Beach and Bay County their home. 

Please take time to read your 

Chamber’s Annual Report and 

2008 Program of Work. We have 

had an unbelievable year with great 

progress. Your Board of Directors 

and staff are planning for the coming 

year with new committees taking 

lead. If you would like to be more 

involved with the Chamber, contact 

Beth@PCBeach.org, our Director of Operations for 

more information. 

Thank you for your continued support. We look 

forward to an exciting new year. 




2008 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Chairman of the Board 

Al McCambry, Knology 

Past Chairman 

David Powell, 

Peoples First Community Bank 

Incoming Chairman 

Anthony Dubose, Coastal Community 

Insurance Agency 

Treasurer 

 

Sugar Sands Beach Resort 

Legal Council 

Steven L. Applebaum 

The Board 

Mike Abney, 

Prudential Shimmering Sands 

Billy Alam, Days Inn 

Karen Blackerby, Magnum Capital 

Sue Brookhart, 

Naval Support Activity Panama City 

Robert Carroll, 

McNeil Carroll Engineering 

Mack Carter, Shuckum’s 

Oyster Pub, Another Broken Egg 

Pam George, 

Gulf World Marine Park 

John Gheesling, Bikini Beach 

John Hamati, 

Marriott’s Bay Point Resort 

Scott Harris, Wachovia Bank 

Annie Holcombe, 

Royal American Hospitality 

Lewis Howell, The St. Joe Company 

Jayna Leach, Sterling Resorts 

Lee Ann Leonard, By The Sea Resorts 

Jim Musicaro, 

Carrabba’s Italian Grill 

Chris Pariseau, 

Allegra Print & Imaging 

Lisa Powell, Hombre Golf Club 

Edy Rivard, 

Gulf Coast Medical Center 

Cil Schnikter, Comcast Cable 

Bill Sherr, Labor Ready 

Skip Stoltz, Countrywide Home Loans 

Paul Wohlford, Edgewater Beach Resort 

Bob Zamboni, Zeebest McDonald’s 


J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 0 8 

CONTENTS 

24 FSU-Panama City 

Features 

24 Community Update 

11 Meet Your 2008 Leadership Team 24 Gulf Coast Workforce Board 

14 The Chamber’s Annual Report 

and 2008 Program of Work 

16 Second Generations: Making A Difference 

Events 

26 Chamber Events 

27 Friday at the Beach 

27 Leads Group 

27 After Hours 

27 Annual Awards Banquet 

Around Town 

23 Gulf Coast Community College 

23 Local Government Update 

23 Navy News 

CHAMBER OFFICERS 

Membership 

20 Member News 

28 Grand Openings 

28 Membership Report 

28 New Members 

29 Ambassador Update 

29 Renewing Members 

In Every Issue 

8 Chairman’s Report 

8 President’s Report 

12 Banking Center 

12 Real Estate Corner 

13 Biz Spotlight 

 

 

 

 


415 Beckrich Rd., Suite 200, Panama City Beach, FL 32407 

Phone: (850) 235-1159 Fax: (850) 235-2301 

PCBeach.org 

EDITORIAL STAFF 

President/CEO Debi Knight Editor Marta Rose 

Senior VP Marketing & PR Marta Rose Creative Director Marta Rose 

Director of Operations Beth Oltman Advertising Sales Skip Alford 

VP Membership Services Skip Alford Tyler Finklea 

Membership Services Tyler Finklea Production Boyd Brothers Printing 

Web Manager Jessica Summers Distribution Allegra Print & Imaging 

Research/Communications Bethany Edwards Chamber Ambassadors 

Membership Accounting Mgr. Jena Kimmel Contributing Mayor Gayle Oberst, Capt. 

Information Specialist Bertie Reynolds Writers Hal Harbeson, Kimberly 

Receptionist Joyce Kidd Bodine, Bay Solutions, 

Information Specialist Gloria Mallory Bethany Edwards, Dr. Jim 

Kerley, Dr. George DePuy 

Honorary Members 

Mayor Gayle Oberst, CFT Pyramid 

Dr. George DePuy, FSU-PC 

Dr. Jim Kerley, GCCC 


2008 Leadership Team 

Meet Your 

Mike 

Abney 

Prudential 

Shimmering 

Sands 

 

Billy 

Alam 

Days 

Inn 

 

Karen 

Blackerby 

Magnum 

Capital 

 

Sue 

Brookhart 

Naval 

Support 

Activity 

 

Robert 

Carroll 

McNeil 

Carroll 

Engineering 

 

Mack 

Carter 

Shuckum’s 

Oyster 

Pub 

 

Anthony 

DuBose 

Coastal 

Community 

Insurance 

 

Pam 

George 

Gulf World 

Marine 

Park 

 

John 

Gheesling 

Bikini 


 

Philip 

 

Sugar Sands 


Resort 

 

John 

Hamati 

Marriott 

Bay Point 

Resort 

 

Scott 

Harris 

Wachovia 

Bank 

 

Annie 

Holcombe 

Royal 

American 

Hospitality 

 

Lewis 

Howell 

The 

St. Joe 

Company 

 

Jayna 

Leach 

Sterling 

Resorts 

 

Lee Ann 

Leonard 

By The Sea 

Resorts 

 

Al 

McCambry 

Knology 

 

Jim 

Musicaro 

Carrabba’s 

Italian 

Grill 

 

Chris 

Pariseau 

Allegra 

Print & 

Imaging 

 

David 

Powell 

Peoples First 

Community 

Bank 

 

Lisa 

Powell 

Hombre 

Golf Course 

 

Skip 

Stoltz 

Countrywide 

Home 

Loans 

 

Edy 

Rivard 

Gulf Coast 

Medical 

Center 

 

Paul 

Wohlford 

Edgewater 


Resort 

 

Cil 

Schnikter 

Comcast 

Cable 

 

Bob 

Zamboni 

McDonald’s 

Restaurant, 

ZeeBest Inc. 

 

Bill 

Sherr 

Labor 

Ready 

 

Honorary Board Members 

Mayor Gayle Oberst, 

City of Panama City Beach 

Dr. George DePuy, FSU-PC 

Dr. Jim Kerley, GCCC 


Corner 

Banking Center 

 

 

At Vanguard Bank, we pride ourselves on offering our commercial 

 

what is important to our customers and understand that future stability 

 

 

 

From commercial loans to cash management services to commercial leases, 

 

 

again, we’ve found that our customers value a real person with real solutions 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

you and your money are determined here by people who know you and the 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12 The Circuit January/February 2008 

 

Real Estate 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

rentals, free internet cafe use, onsite customer service, open daily during 

peak season and 

 

 

 

 

committed 

to providing 

quality customer 

service to 

guests and 

homeowners 

 

vacation rentals 

 

 

 

 

providing quality customer service and giving each guest a wonderful 

 

If you are interested in property or vacation rental management please 

 

 

vacation 

properties, 

p l e a s e 

contact the

Biz Spotlight 

Shore House Furniture Expands 

Retail Presence in Panama City Beach 

 

Beach in an effort to better serve its growing customer base and the 

growing market for coastal furnishings and complete home decorat 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shore House Furniture’s new location is at 14301 Panama City Beach 

Parkway. 

YOUR VOTE COUNTS ! 

VOTE FOR THE BEST OF THE BEST! 

Get your ballot in the January/February issue of Panama City Living. 

Subscribe online at www.panamacityliving.com for only $18/year 

or purchase at Books By The Sea on Harrison Avenue 

or Jane’s Expressions on 23rd Street. For more info call 850-527-4323. 

Subscribe online: 

www.panamacityliving.com 


Chamber’s 

Annual Report 

and 2008 Program 

of Work 

Sixteen years ago The Greater Panama City Beaches 

Chamber of Commerce had around 300 members; 

today the Chamber is over 1,000 members strong. 

Such a growing, dynamic organization needs a progressive 

Plan of Work. On November 28, 2007 the Chamber held its 

annual Board Planning Retreat, facilitated by Chamber 

professional and award-winning instructor Chuck Ewart. 

This meeting focused on what tools and resources are 

needed to move us forward into the future, and a new 

Plan of Objectives and Strategies was developed. 

What will help our 

community embrace 

growth, and promote a 

positive image and brand 

for Panama City Beach? 

Strong, passionate leadership. 

Communication and collaboration 

between business organizations 

and chambers in our neighboring 

counties. Involvement and participation 

amongst anyone and everyone 

wanting to make a difference to 

Panama City Beach in these exciting 

and changing times. Pictured above: 

Chamber President Debi Knight with 

retreat facilitator Chuck Ewart. 


What tools and resources do we need 

to move us forward into the future? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

merce is dedicated to moving from success to cance 

 

 

 

 

 

Membership 

 

The three top reasons people join chambers: 

 

 

voice of business 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ambassadors 

Ambassadors Committee will play an 

 

 

’s mission is to 

 

membership retention through personal contacts with 

 

 

Governmental Affairs 

A new Governmental Affairs Committee has been 

 

Education Committee and a Transportation Committee 

 

 

 

 

regional approach and 

work with chambers in surrounding counties to take 

 

 

nity and make it a more attractive place to live, work 

 

Education 

 

 

to build more technical programs, and programs to get 

 

 

 

 

 

 

for housekeeping and front desk positions but mana 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regionalism 

 

the counties need to work together and break down the

create a coordinated, comprehensive plan for the new 

 

 

 

Marketing & Communications 

 

 

 

 

Constant 

Contact software, sent to a database of visitors 

 

Monday Morning Report electronic news 

 

 

Publications Committee, 

 

 

 

 

Public Relations Committee 

 

 

 

 

IT Task Force 

force will plan, create and oversee technology in the 

 

PCBeach.org 

 

 

com in your Favorites, and refer to it often for commu 

nity updates in the scrolling In The News 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Community 

 

 

 

 

community, property beautifucation, and building 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chamber’s New Building 

New Building Task Force is chaired 

 

 

 

 

 

tours, area attractions, restaurants, sporting events, cul 

 

 

 

casing where to go and what to do while in Panama 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accomplishments in 2007 

This spring the Beaches Chamber 

will move into its new offices at 309 

Beckrich Road. The recently opened 

Beckrich Centre, developed by 

McInnis Builders, is Panama City 

Beach’s newest, Class-A business 

center. Doubling as a Tourist and 

Relocation Information Center, this 

new space will be a resource for all 

visitors coming into Panama City 

Beach looking for accommodations 

and information on where 

to go, what to do, demographics, 

economic stats and community 

information. The spacious, state-ofthe-art 

lobby will be informative and 

historical, educational, entertaining 

and fun, including interactive kiosks, 

contemporary brochure racks promoting 

Chamber businesses, and an 

educational history wall featuring artwork 

and historical facts on Panama 

City Beach. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


SECOND GENERATIONS: 

Two generations of twelve families discuss leadership, accomplishments, and the resources 

that will take this community forward into the future. These are the families whose participation 

and achievements have helped – and are helping – make Panama City Beach a world-class resort. 

The Bennett Family 

FJulian Bennett has been 

 

includes his wife Agatha and sons 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

truthfulness, unbroken commit 

 

For this 

community to embrace growth and move 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

encourage collaboration, trust, 

 

 

munity to embrace growth and move into the 

future involve a new airport, convention center 

 

 

and importance of love in his life, marriage, 

family, friends, and most importantly, with 

 

Neel 

 

 

 

 

been a partner in all the Bennett family busi 

 

 

strates practice, determination 

 

an important aspect of moving into the future, 

and there is a need to bring in more large 

scale amusement/entertainment facilities and 

 

 

 

 

Derrick has been a resident of this commu 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

this community needs people with vision, 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Dubose Family 

Terry Dubose has been a primary resi 

 

 

years and children Anthony, Brantley 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

feels are needed for this community to em 

brace growth and move into the future include 

an airport and transportation system, industry

Making A Difference 

BY MARTA ROSE AND BETHANY EDWARDS 

PHOTOGRAPHS BY TYLER FINKLEA 

Terry is most proud of being part of the only 

bank where the main headquarters is located in 

Panama City Beach. He learned from his father 

to always provide great customer service. 

Anthony Dubose has lived in this community 

for 12 years. Family includes wife Tiffany 

of over nine years and daughters Ella and 

Elizabeth. Anthony attended Marianna High 

School, Chipola Junior College and University 

of Alabama, graduating with a degree 

in Finance. Anthony worked at St. Andrew 

Bay Real Estate and Emerald Coast Bank as 

a Loan Officer. Currently he is the President 

of the Insurance Division of Coastal Community 

Bank, and holds a seat on its Board of 

Directors. Anthony is most proud of assisting 

families with their home/business in addition 

to keeping their investment. 

“I think leaders are people that 

surround themselves with motivated, 

smart and honest people,” 

states Anthony. Three resources he 

feels are needed for this community to embrace 

growth and move into the future involve 

completion of the Community Redevelopment 

Agency (CRA) project, beach access and increased 

community involvement. In reference 

to his parents, he explains, “The order of my 

priorities should be God, family, my neighbor 

and my work.” 

Elizabeth Falke has lived in the community 

for 16 years. Family includes husband Heinz 

of five-and-a-half years, and son Anthony. She 

attended Bay High, Gulf Coast Community 

College and Florida State University. Elizabeth 

works with Coastal Community Bank 

overseeing the Online Banking and Marketing 

Departments for all eight locations. 

“We are fortunate to be in a position where we 

can assist locals in making financial solutions 

so that they can better our community,” she 

explains. Most importantly, Elizabeth learned 

from her father and mother to always prayerfully 

consider things before making a decision. 

Right: The Patronis Family: 

(front row, from left): Nick, 

Jimmy Sr., Johnny and Yonnie; 

(back row from left): 

Theo, Eric Salares and Jimmy 

Jr. 

Opposite page far left: The 

Bennett family (from left): 

Derrick, Julian, Mike and 

Neel. Opposite page near 

left: The Dubose family 

(from left): Elizabeth Faulk, 

Anthony, Terry and Brantley 

Byers. 

The Patronis Family 

Jimmy Patronis Sr. has been a resident 

of this community for almost 55 

years. Family includes wife Helen C. 

Patronis of 50 years. He attended Leon 

High School and is a graduate of Florida State 

University. Significant jobs include working 

for his father, being a lieutenant in the U.S. Air 

Force, and co-owning Seven Seas Restaurant 

and Capt. Anderson’s. He has been a member 

of various organizations including Jaycees, 

Rotary Club, Bay County Chamber of Commerce 

and The Greater Panama City Beaches 

Chamber of Commerce. His parents taught 

him, “Give something back to the community 

that you live in, and keep your word. It’s 

more important than loosing an eye.” 

For 55 years Johnny Patronis has been a 

resident of this community. Family includes 

late wife Opal of 39 years. He attended Leon 

High School. In 1947 he opened Seven Seas 

Restaurant in Tallahassee, and opened another 

in Panama City from 1953 to 1967. 

Johnny states, “A leader should 

be committed to his community, 

have a consensus with his endeavors, 

and make the community 

a better place than he found 

it.” The top three resources he believes are 

needed for this community to embrace growth 

and move into the future include a new airport, 

product improvement and customer satisfaction. 

Johnny is most proud of taking on Capt. 

Anderson’s in 1967. He says, “The community 

has supported us ever since.” Johnny 

has now handed the restaurant over to the next 

generation--his nephews. His parents taught 

him, “Leave a good name, have a positive image 

and be dedicated. Put back just as much 

as you got out of it and more.” 

For 35 years, State Representative Jimmy 

Patronis Jr., Florida House of Representatives 

District 6, has been a resident of this community. 

Family includes wife Katie of three 

years. He attended Bay High School, Gulf 

Coast Community College and Florida State 

University. Significant jobs include working 

his entire life at family-owned restaurant Capt. 

Anderson’s, an Intern at the Florida Senate, 

and Research Assistant for House of Commons, 

United Kingdom. 

Jimmy explains, “A leader must 

be a good listener who gets the 

job done, no matter who gets the 

credit.” The top three resources he believes 

are needed for this community to embrace 

growth and move into the future involve 

understanding the importance of quality of 

life and the balance to pay for it, in addition 

to a top local educational system. He feels it 

is everyone’s obligation to make an effort to 

enhance our community. Jimmy says, “My 

parents are my role models. I know the upbringing 

that they provided me has made me 

who I am today.” Continued on Page 18 


SECOND GENERATIONS: Making A Difference 

The Hiltons: Julie, Ava Symone Katherine, Lela 

and Charlie. 

Yonnie Patronis has been a resident of this 

community for 43 years. Family includes wife 

Lea of 17 years and daughters Maria, Anna 

and Alexa. He attended Gulf Coast Community 

College and Florida State University. 

Yonnie is co-owner of Capt. Anderson’s 

Restaurant. 

Yonnie believes a leader is one 

who can listen as well as lead. He 

feels our three biggest resources needed for 

this community to embrace growth and move 

into the future are a new airport, our beaches, 

and maintaining a positive atmosphere. Yonnie 

most importantly learned from his parents, 

“Keep a good, positive name…once you lose 

it, you won’t get it back.” 

The Hilton Family 

Four generations and forty years ago, 

Katherine Boatwright inspired 

her daughter Lela and son-in-law 

Charles to join with her in building 

a 51-unit motel called the Baron-Hilton Inn, 

which was the beginning of the Hilton Family’s 

businesses on Panama City Beach. With 

Charles heading development and Lela leading 

management, along with Katherine and the 

Hilton’s children Julie and Chip, the Hilton’s 

hotel properties (Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort, 

Days Inn Beach, Best Westerns Casa Loma 

and Del Coronado, Ramada Inn Beach, and 

Holiday Inn Select) have won over 125 service 

and quality awards locally, regionally, statewide, 

nationally and internationally. 

The Hiltons expanded their business and 

formed several companies with the help 

of dedicated team members and partners. 

These include: development of 10 motel/ 

hotel properties in the Panhandle, 18-hole 


and executive golf courses, residential communities, 

condominiums, competitive cable 

company, beachwear store, sporting clays 

facility, automobile dealership, marine engines 

business, and timber business, road building 

and construction companies. The Hiltons have 

also formed law firms, a self-insurance company, 

a family foundation, and a bank holding 

company, and a small business investment 

company that funded a number of hotels and 

other businesses in Panama City Beach/Bay 

County. Additionally, the family has operated 

about 50 area businesses. 

Serving on numerous community, state and 

international Boards, the Hilton Family’s 

extensive community volunteer efforts include 

working tirelessly and contributing many 

dollars of personal funds for 25 years to save 

Panama City’s beaches with beach renourishment, 

creating and developing the plan for the 

Dan Russell Pier, creating and carrying out the 

plan to obtain the land for Frank Brown Park, 

mediating the public/private partnership for 

Pier Park, and starting the first public/private 

partnership to landscape public areas. 

The Hilton family believes keys to the community’s 

future growth are leadership that supports 

individual freedom, less taxes, individual 

responsibility, community focus on friendliness, 

landscape beautification and developing 

the Front Beach Road CRA, and a regional 

international airport. 

Julie’s lessons of success from her parents include 

persistence, patience, commitment, hard 

work, doing your best, learning from mistakes, 

getting up before the “count of nine,” listening, 

and standing up for what you believe in, no 

matter what. 

The Gheesling Family 

In March of 1957 John and Rose Gheesling 

bought the Bikini Beach Motel on 

the north side of Highway 98. This motel 

originally had six rooms; the family lived 

in one of the units, as well as used it for an 

office. Over the next 20 years the Gheeslings 

enlarged the property to hold 36 units and a 

swimming pool. In 1980 they purchased the 

old Hilton Gulf, and operated both motels for 

one year before selling the Bikini and concentrating 

on what is now the Bikini Beach Resort. 

John III and Ann Henry became formal 

partners in 1992 even though they had worked 

together as a family during their childhood. 

The Gheeslings: (front row): Rose and John; 

(back row): Ann Henry and John III. 

In 1998 John, Ann and their parents bought the 

Trade Winds Motel for a total of 202 rooms. 

After four years, John and Ann bought the 

business from their parents, sold the Trade 

Winds, and now operate the Bikini Beach 

Resort with 84 rooms, a game room, pool bar, 

and swimming pool. 

John Gheesling has been in the community for 

56 years. Family includes wife Deborah of 

24 years and son Bryan. John attended Jinks 

Jr. High, Gulf Coast Community College, 

University of Southern Mississippi, and is a 

graduate of Florida State University. John 

has managed two motels and been proactive 

in civic and political ideas for the area. He is 

most proud of leading the resistance to oneway 

Front Beach Road. 

The Griffitts: Matthew, Philip, Jerrilyn and Philip Jr. 

“A leader should be intelligent, 

aggressive but patient,” John 

states. He believes three resources this 

community needs to embrace growth and 

move into the future include an effective 

highway system, a new international airport 

and eye appeal. John‘s father taught him a 

great work ethic, along with compassion and 

patience from his mother.


The Burnams: Stacy Trepanier, Wes and Jeff. 

The Griffitts Family 

P bought 

 

 

 

their son Philip Jr. (“Grif”) slept on a hidea 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matthew was born 

and the family was still living at the motel, 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Burnham Family 

Peggy and Wes Burnham moved 

 

 

 

been involved in several area condominium 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Powells: David and Raymond. 

Jeff and 

Stacy 

in Birmingham for a few years in the early 

 

 

 

 

 

including a construction/development com 

pany, a software company and, most recently, 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Powell Family 

FRaymond Powell has 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ment as banker for many motels, restaurants, 

 

 

 

value of all the team members 

and gives them an opportunity 

 

 

needed for this community to embrace growth 

and move into the future involve affordable 

 

 

taught him are a strong work ethic and the 

 

David Powell has been a resident of the com 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

went into banking with Florida First Federal 

 

 

Bank and has been with the company for over 

 

 

leader involve motivation, integ 

 

 

 

 

 

Continued on Page 22 


Owned and operated by father and son team 

Bruce and Lane Workman, Romancing With 

Stones specializes in custom fabricating of customer’s 

dreams, as well as fast, high quality re- 

MEMBER NEWS 

of it. With much energy and pairs. All jewelry is hand fabricated to perfection 

by Bruce, a 25-year master jeweler. 

enthusiasm, the seniors went 

to work with the help of the 

City and converted the interior 

Whether you need a small repair and need it 

to serve as a Computer Lab, 

back in a matter of minutes, or you are looking 

an Exchange Library, another 

for that special stone for that special someone, 

meeting room and an entrance 

stop by or call (850) 235-7999. Romancing 

room. The building continues 

With Stones is open Wednesday through Sunday, 

12:00 noon to 6:00 pm. Private consulta- 

to be of value to the community, 

however, the elements have 

tions are available anytime, day or night. All 

taken a toll on it during the past 

Chamber members receive 15% off anything in 

seven years that it has stood at 

the store, every day. 

Lowe’s Heros (pictured front, from left): Nora Brown, Charles Brown 423 Lyndell Lane. Fortunately, 

and Laurie Laundry; (back row): Rob Landry, T.J. Nelson, Jeremy Lowe’s Heroes appeared on the 

Hall and Josh Hershfield. 

scene. 

Chamber Members Helping 

Chamber Members 

At the November “Fall Fling” held at the Panama 

City Beach Senior Center, Sherry Swartout, 

Operations Director, presented Michael Sullivan 

with a plaque of appreciation for the repair services 

delivered by “Lowe’s Heroes.” Michael is 

the Store Manager for the newly opened Lowes 

store on the Beach. 

As an introduction to the community, a group 

of employees with the title of “Lowe’s Heroes” 

looks for ways they can be of service to their 

new neighbors. They contacted the Center and 

asked for permission to assess 

current needs. They found that 

“Cypress House” provided a 

prime target. Cypress House 

is the building many locals will 

remember as the TDC Building 

that stood on the Gulf from 1981 

until it was offered to the seniors 

in 2001. The seniors were in 

need of more room to house the 

increasing space needs as their 

activities expanded. 

The TDC Building was the result 

of a group of locals, led by 

the Lark family, pulling together 

with local residents, to construct 

a Tourist Information Center. 

It served visitors and the community 

well until the construction of the current 

TDC building on Hwy 79. It stood empty and 

almost forgotten on the Gulf for about a year. 

It was at the suggestion of then Mayor Lee Sullivan 

that perhaps the seniors could make use 

Romancing With Stones’ new 

showroom is located at 17266 

Panama City Beach Parkway. 


The team did a 

superb job. They power washed 

the building, decks and benches. 

They replaced rotting siding and 

damaged interior wall sections. 

They installed new interior paneling 

and, as an extra touch, 

replaced standard ceiling fans 

in the reception area with more 

beautiful contemporary broad 

blade fans. This has been another 

encouraging example of how 

working together benefits us all. 

For more information, call 

Lily Oatfield at the Senior 

Center at (850) 230-6329. 

Romancing 

With Stones 

Romancing With Stones 

fine jewelry is proud to 

announce the opening of 

its new showroom on the 

west end of the beach. 

Romancing With Stones is 

the only jewelry repair facility 

around offering Laserstar repairs. 

Using innovative technology, 

they will be able to 

offer customers jewelry repairs 

that are 280 times as strong as 

conventional jewelry repairs-- 

while you wait. 

Mask Parade Exhibit and 

Walking Tour 

See this year’s collection of 

beautiful masks painted by 

celebrities and local artists 

Join Covenant Hospice and 

WMBB-TV for a guided walking 

tour and opening reception 

to view this year’s collection of 

more than 80 masks, created by 

local artists and celebrities for 

Covenant Hospice’s Sixth Annual 

Mask Parade Gala. The 

event begins at 3:00 pm, Friday, 

February 29th at the Visual Arts 

Center. See beautiful mask artwork 

created by celebrities like 

Courtney Cox, and local artists 

like Paul Brent; enjoy hors 

d’oeuvres and mingle with the 

artists. The exhibit is free and 

open to the public. 

Masks will be displayed 

through March 21st at the Visual 

Arts Center, Robert Dokken, 

Estate Treasures and Bay Bank 

& Trust in downtown Panama 

City. Select your favorite pieces and then bid on 

them at the Mask Parade Gala benefiting Covenant 

Hospice, on Saturday, March 22nd at Edgewater 

Beach Resort. 

Mask artwork can also be viewed online at www. 

covenanthospice.org. For Sponsorships, Gala 

Tickets or more information, please call (850) 

785-3040. Covenant Hospice is a not-for-profit 

organization that brings comfort, support, and 

dignity to life’s last journey for patients with lifelimiting 

illnesses and their families, regardless of 

their ability to pay.

“My vision is to bring the expertise of Carefree 

Hospitality to the Emerald Coast by implement- 

MEMBER NEWS 

Chamber Family Night at John Hamati Takes on 

ing ideas and working closely with developers in 

Rock’It Lanes 

New Role as Director 

the management, planning and development of 

Rock’It Lanes, the 50,000 square foot family fun of Community 

luxury projects,” says Hamati. 

center located in The Shoppes at Edgewater, offers 

bowling, roller skating, pool tables, a video An internal restructuring takes 

Relations 

arcade, a sports bar and grill all under one roof. place at Bay Point Marriott Golf 

Rock’It lanes is proud to 

host Chamber Family 

Night on Thursday, February 

28th from 5:30 to 8:30 

pm. Free bowling and free 

roller skating will be offered 

to all chamber members 

and their families that 

evening. 

The Grille will be offering 

complete kids meals for 

$3.75, which will include 

burgers, hot dogs or chicken 

tenders with fries and a 

soft drink. For the adults, 

our famous Rock’It 

club sandwiches, handmade 

half pound burgers, 

chicken quesadillas 

and fried pickles will be 

amongst our featured 

items for this special 

event, all at affordable 

family prices. 

As an added appreciation 

for the Chamber’s 

support, all participating 

members will be 

issued our 2008 preferred 

customer cards, 

normally a $15.00 value, 

absolutely free. 

V.I.P. cards will entitle 

Chamber members discounts 

every time they 

come to Rock’It Lanes all year long on bowling, 

roller skating, and drink specials at the sports 

bar. 

To participate in this big, free event, simply mention 

at the bowling desk that you are here for 

“Chamber Family Night” as a member, and you 

will be issued armbands to enjoy the evening’s 

festivities. For more information call (850) 249- 

2695 or visit www.rockitlanes.com. 

Resort and Spa 

Effective December 

1st, 2007 John Hamati 

has taken on a new role 

as Director of Community 

Relations at Bay 

Point Marriott Golf 

Resort and Spa, representing 

Flautt Cornerstone. 

John Hamati 

In Hamati’s new role he will represent 

Flautt Cornerstone to The 

Greater Panama City Beaches 

Chamber of Commerce, Bay 

County Chamber of Commerce, 

Marketing Committee of the 

Tourist Development Council, 

Airport Stewardship 

Committee, Bay Point 

Association, and Baytown 

Association. 

Additionally, Hamati 

will join Carefree Hospitality, 

LLC (www. 

carefreehospitality. 

com) as Vice President 

of Hospitality and Development. 

This company 

was formed to 

leverage a considerable 

amount of expertise and 

experience to create and 

manage exceptional resorts, 

private golf clubs 

and residential communities. 

The company provides focus and guidance to help 

companies maximize their investment potential, 

- 

 

build on both market position and revenues by 

implementing strategic marketing plans customdesigned 

for each property. 

Bowers 

Construction 

Services 

Bowers Construction Services, 

Inc. provides commercial construction 

and renovation in the Panhandle of 

Florida to people who need to build or renovate 

any size commercial space. The company 

services those who value a team approach with 

the architect, engineers, contractor and owner 

working together toward the project’s successful 

completion. They also service companies who 

require well built projects completed on time and 

within budget. 

Bowers Construction Services, Inc. was founded 

in 2004, and has delivered for companies in retail 

space build outs, commercial and residential 

 

price and cost plus work, including: Okaloosa 

Walton College, Aztec Apartments, Panama City 

Mall and eFish, a gourmet market. 

Brian Bowers, the company’s President and CEO 

and Ron Voiselle, Vice President and COO have 

over 50 years experience in construction supervision 

and management. Bowers Construction 

tor, 

and our management team has a background 

in all phases of construction from residential remodeling 

to wastewater treatment facilities and 

DOT work which affords their customers/clients 

the most knowledgeable, broadly experienced and 

comprehensive solutions to their pressing needs. 

With strong values and a belief in the “win-win” 

scenario, which enables the company to attract 

clients and build relationships to retain them, 

Bowers Construction Services, Inc. strives to uphold 

the highest standards in all the services they 

deliver. For details on the company’s products 

and services, contact Brian Bowers at (850) 747- 

1474 or brian@bowerconstructionservices.com. 

 



The Hunts: (above) 

Deborah; (right) Margaret 

and H.L. 

The Hunt Family 

In the mid to late 

1950’s and 1960’s, 

H.L. and Margaret Hunt, having a 

vision that Panama City Beach would 

soon become a major tourist destination, built 

 

on Panama City Beach. In the early 60’s as 

the Beach started to grow, they sold their piano 

and organ company in Anniston, Alabama, 

and moved their family full time to Panama 

City Beach. As the years went on, in the 

late 70’s and early 80’s, condominiums were 

becoming a new buzz word. H.L. and Margaret 

decided to convert one of the hotels into a con- 

 

conversions on Panama City Beach. H.L. and 

Margaret Hunt continued to develop Panama 

City Beach until they retired in the mid 90’s. 

By that time their daughter Deborah had taken 

over the majority of the day-to-day business. 

Deborah started her real estate career in 1982 

and quickly became involved with the Hotel 

& Restaurant Association (which later merged 

in 1989 to what we now know as The Greater 

Panama City Beaches Chamber of Commerce). 

In early 1990 she worked for Peoples 

First Community Bank as their Real Estate 

Owned (REO) Manager. In 1991 she served 

on the Chamber’s Board of Directors, serving 

several terms as the Board’s Chairman. 

Deborah’s dedication, drive and commitment 

for Panama City Beach to be the Number One 

tourism destination in the world is contributed 

to her parents. They taught her at an early 

age the importance of living everyday for the 

Lord, taking nothing for granted, leading by 

example, working hard, doing your very best 

every day, always being a team player, and 

 


The Lancaster Family 

Reggie Lancaster has lived in the 

community for 29 years. His family 

includes wife Rebecca and daughters 

Dana, Alexandra, Emily, Anna, Riley 

and Kate. He graduated from the University 

of Alabama in 1968. After graduation, 

Reggie worked for the Union Oil Company 

of California until 1979 when he bought the 

Flamingo Beach Motel. 

Reggie states the qualities of 

a leader are honesty, integrity, 

character and the ability to 

make everyone feel a part of 

the process. He believes infrastructure 

and quality customer service are key 

ingredients for this community to embrace 

growth and move into the future. Reggie is 

most proud of serving as the TDC Chairman 

and being involved with the Beach Renourishment 

Program and Tourist Information Center. 

The most important value he learned from his 

parents is honesty. 

The Lancasters: Reggie and Dana. 

Dana Lancaster was 13 years old when her 

parents purchased a 44-unit beachfront motel 

named Flamingo Court. In 1981 her dad Reggie 

renovated the property and expanded to 68 

units with a dome covering a tropical garden, 

renaming it Flamingo Dome by the Sea. 

Hurricane Opal (October 1995) destroyed the 

dome, but the hurricane also allowed Reggie 

and Dana to expand and purchase the adjacent 

property, a restaurant known mostly as Al and 

Glen’s. An extensive remodel and expansion 

to 117 units in 1996 allowed father and 

 

after renaming it to what is now known as 

Flamingo Motel and Tower. 

In August of 2000 Reggie semi-retired to a 

2000-acre farm and hunting preserve in Green 


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Beach Location 

Every Tuesday 

in Bay Medical at the Beach 

11111 Panama City Beach Pkwy. 

Call (850) 763-0801 or 

(877) 608-4327 for appointment 

2633 Highway 77, Suite A 

Panama City

AROUND TOWN 

Updates on Community, Education, Workforce, Governmental Affairs & Military 

Strategic Planning Shapes 

the Future for Gulf Coast 

Community College 

Dr. Jim Kerley, GCCC President 

Gulf Coast Community College has a rich 

history and a solid foundation, and we are now 

focused on the future of our beloved institution 

as we move forward with renewed energy and 

involvement. Our region is in the process of 

dynamic change, and we must be responsive by 

 

serve our workforce while continuing 

to prepare students to enter our 

universities. 

As a new president, I know the 

importance of moving the college 

forward, and I know it doesn’t just 

happen. It takes vision, discipline, 

and action to bring systemic change 

through strategic planning. 

In January and February we will 

interview the community through 

focus groups, community forums, 

and Web-based surveys. Hundreds 

of people will be asked to share their 

ideas and desires for this institution, 

focusing on the future. 

 

strategic plan will be the college’s 

 

which is to be recognized statewide, nationally, 

and internationally as a top-tier institution. 

A well-designed strategic plan pushes us forward, 

positioning us for the major changes ahead of us 

in this region. We will continue to make dreams 

come true, one life at a time. 

Local Government Update 

Bay Solutions 

Bay County 

lic 

hearing for December 18 at 9:00 a.m. to consider 

establishing a Vessel Exclusion Zone at the 

public boat ramp located at Lake Powell Park. 

Panama City – Bay County Airport 

 

funding package that will generate the short-term 

 

million and $105 million). 

 

4,037-acre site that will house the new regional 

airport. 

 

design changes to the terminal building that 

will trim construction costs by roughly $7 million. 

Key changes to the terminal included reducing 

the amount of glass in the terminal by 

nearly 50%, simplifying design of the terminal 

 

 

deplanement areas to eliminate bottlenecks. Additionally, 

HTNB Architecture, Inc. proposed the 

construction of a 7,400-square foot annex to the 

terminal building to house the baggage loading 

and sorting system. 

 

appeals court judge in New York issued a temporary 

stay suspending the Federal Aviation 

Administration’s approval of the new airport 

has been rescheduled for January 8, 2008. On 

Monday, the Panama City – Bay County Airport 

 

court to vacate the stay, and schedule arguments 

as soon as possible. There is no word yet when 

the court will rule on these motions. 

velopment 

deposited $56.5 million into an escrow 

account for the purchase of the existing 

airport site. 

Navy News 

Capt. Hal Harbeson, Commanding Officer 

Naval Support Activity Panama City 

The Navy commissioned its newest warship, the 

USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) on Dec. 15. This is 

the third ship of a new class of amphibious dock 

ships. The commissioning team was led locally 

by Ted Spangenberg and Capt. Fred Shutt, USN 

 

Naval Surface Warfare Center here. Literally 

hundreds of volunteers, service organizations 

and local businesses, as well as many 

personnel at the Naval Support Activity 

Panama City and its tenants, helped 

make this event a huge success. 

Mesa Verde is named for the National 

Park and World Heritage Center in 

Colorado. Former Colorado Senator 

Ben Nighthorse Campbell delivered 

the ceremony’s principal address. His 

wife, Linda Campbell, served as the 

ship’s sponsor. The ceremony was 

highlighted by the time-honored Navy 

tradition when Mrs. Campbell gave 

 

bring her to life.” 

Cmdr. Shawn W. Lobree of Miami 

 

and enlisted Sailors, and the ship 

can carry up to 800 Marines, two 

hovercraft, helicopters, amphibious 

assault vehicles and other equipment to project 

Naval presence to the far reaches of the globe. 

Naval Support Activity Panama City was proud 

to coordinate with the crew of Mesa Verde to 

commemorate the 66th anniversary of the attack 

on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7. In what has become 

a tradition for our base, we were honored by the 

presence of two survivors, Ronnie Everett and 

Newton Brooks, two surviving widows, and 

their families for a special ceremony aboard the 

ship on the day it arrived in Panama City. 

On Sunday Dec. 9, as many of us were cheering 

for the Jacksonville Jaguars, you may have 

noticed the Navy team presenting colors at the 

beginning of the nationally-televised game were 

from NSA Panama City. We’re proud of our 

 

Nesbit, Kelay Jones, Adam Dickson and Jerica 



AROUND TOWN 

Updates on Community, Education, Workforce, Governmental Affairs & Military 

Sales, who did a great job and also got to watch 

Mark Sokoloski, manager of the Gateway Inns 

and Suites visitor quarters at NSA PC, was 

recently named “manager of the year” among all 

Navy lodging professionals. Mark’s leadership 

has resulted in our visitor’s accommodations 

having the longest winning streak of 5-star ratings 

of any Navy base in the country…just one more 

reason I have the best job in the Navy! 

FSU-Panama City Has Just 

Completed Its 25th Year as 

Branch Campus 

Dr. George DePuy, FSU-PC Dean 

We began 2007 with the groundbreaking 

ceremony for the new Holley 

Academic Center Building on January 

17th. A naming gift of $1 million 

was made for this building by Russell 

C. Holley in honor of his parents. On 

March 21st, the new Administrative 

Services Center Building on our 

campus was dedicated. 

In May, Congressman Allen Boyd 

announced that an agreement in 

principal had been reached for the Air 

Force to give 40 acres of waterfront 

property to FSU in Lynn Haven. 

This will serve as the cornerstone of 

a research park to be developed there. 

Legislation to make this possible is 

winding its way through Congress. 

In the fall, it was announced that the FSU Circus 

will be performing next summer in Panama City 

Beach. The circus should serve as a major tourist 

attraction for the region. 

Our final event for 2007 was the fall convocation 

where we recognized the 142 people who completed 

their degree requirements in the fall semester. 

Between 350 and 400 people earn bachelors or 

masters degrees from our campus each year. 

Our first big event of 2008 will be our annual golf 

tournament with celebrity golfer Bobby Bowden. 

This year’s tournament will held at Hombre Golf 

Club on March 7th. 

The major event of 2008 will be the opening 

of the new Holley Academic Center in the fall. 

This building will greatly expand the capacity of 

our campus and it is much anticipated. 


Community Update 

Mayor Gayle Oberst, 

City of Panama City Beach 

The City recently held a workshop conducted by 

HHI, a design/planning firm headquartered in Orlando, 

to consider building heights, shadows, and 

setback requirements for the Front Beach Road. 

This presentation combined with other recent 

workshops led the council to solicit a request for 

proposals for modifications to the proposed land 

development regulations. Concerns about tourist/ 

The new Academic Building at FSU-PC, broke ground in early 2007 

commercial businesses located adjacent to residential 

areas and the need to conform to codes that 

lend themselves to a walking/pedestrian friendly 

community require that changes be made. 

Frank Brown Park offers opportunities for remembering 

and honoring individuals in our 

community. Recently a marble bench was placed 

near the soccer fields and dedicated to Captain 

English and his family, several trees have been 

planted in memory of loved ones, and other 

benches situated at the trail head and on the trails. 

Parks and Recreation personnel will be happy to 

assist in arranging for this. 

Churchwell Drive is nearing completion with the 

contractor ahead of schedule. The tree lined street 

will have sidewalks, bike paths, underground 

utilities, and additional lanes. A parking lot with 

over 125 parking spaces is located on the south 

end of the street and restrooms will be added to 

that area. The work on Beckrich is progressing 

and while it is a heavily traveled street, the contractor 

is keeping the traffic flowing. Once it is 

completed (about 18 months) it will be worth the 

wait and inconveniencies. 

All of us are eagerly awaiting the grand opening 

festivities at Pier Park. Simon Properties is planning 

several weeks of exciting events as other 

stores/shops begin to open. The City Pier and the 

buildings on the south side of Front Beach Road 

are being torn down and a new pier has been designed, 

engineered and permitted. The City and 

Bay County shared plans for piers and 

once they are completed we will be the 

only twin piers on the Gulf. 

Gulf Coast Workforce 

Board Launches 

“Next Step” 

Kimberly Bodine, Executive Director 

Gulf Coast Workforce Board 

The Gulf Coast Workforce Board and it 

partners are launching a new program 

called “Next Step” to provide free training 

for approximately 200 employed 

workers. 

The program is made possible by Workforce 

Florida’s Workplace Investment 

Now (WIN) grant, an award the GCWB 

recently received. In general, the free 

training will be short term and result in 

credentials such as a certificate of completion or 

industry recognized certification. 

Kim Bodine, Executive Director of the GCWB, 

said, “Next Step is designed to enhance the skills 

of our most vulnerable workers - workers who 

need specific skills to improve their earnings. 

This includes single parent employees who 

struggle to support their families, disabled workers, 

or workers who have other issues in their 

lives that keep them in the ‘working poor’ (200% 

of poverty level) income range. In some cases, 

we have two-parent working families with a lot 

of children who just can’t work their way out of 

that ‘working poor’ category.” 

In order to qualify for the training, workers must 

1) be currently employed; 2) have a child under 

the age of 18 in the home or be pregnant; 3) live 

in Bay, Gulf or Franklin Counties; and 4) have a 

low annual income (certain thresholds apply):

Family Size Annual Income Family Size Annual Income 

2 $ 36,340 6 $ 85,000 

3 $ 49,880 7 $ 97,320 

4 $ 61,580 8 $ 109,640 

5 $ 72,680 

As part of the program, Gulf Coast Community College’s Workforce Training 

Center will provide career counseling for participants in the program. 

These career managers will work individually with employers and workers to 

determine eligibility and assist in coordinating requested training. 

“Community colleges are especially important in today’s ever-changing 

economy,” said Dr. Jim Kerley, President of Gulf Coast Community College. 

“We are the people’s colleges and we are the best entity to restore Florida’s 

economic health. Programs brought to the community by the Gulf Coast 

Workforce Board give hope and opportunity to so many people and we want 

to be on the front lines of how Gulf Coast Community College can help with 

our local workforce needs.” 

The GCWB is currently enrolling participants in the Next Step Program. Interested 

employers and workers are asked to call the Gulf Coast Community 

College’s Workforce Training Center at (850) 872-3853. 

 

 

 

 

 


Chamber Events Keep You In-The-Know 

The Chamber’s Friday at the Beach 

breakfast, hosted by Paris Janos of 

WJHG New Channel 7, kicks off 2008 

on January 11th at Boardwalk Beach Resort 

and will spotlight Dr. Rick Harper, Director of 

the HAAS Center for Business Research and 

Economic Development at UWF. On February 

8th, Simon Property Group takes center stage 

at Friday at the Beach to announce the grand 

opening of Pier Park. The event takes place at 

the Marriott Bay Point Golf Resort & Spa. 

Peter Rummell of The St. Joe Company will 

give a special presentation on Regionalism. Big 

Band entertainment will be provided by Swing 

Set, and WMBB News 13’s Amy Hoyt will 

host the event again. 

Sponsorships and Corporate Tables are available 

for $1,000. Contact Bethany Edwards at 

the Chamber for more information, at (850) 

235-1159 or Bethany@PCBeach.org. 

 

Have you checked out the trendy Firefly restaurant 

at the beach yet? Chamber members 

and their guests are invited to the year’s first 

After Hours on January 16th at Firefly, located 

at Shoppes at Edgewater. Please RSVP 

for the events listed above by emailing Bertie@ 

PCBeach.org or Joyce@PCBeach.org. 

On Friday, February 22nd the Chamber will 

hold its Annual Awards Banquet at Edgewater 

Beach Resort. Four prestigious community 

awards will be presented at this semi-formal 

gala: Pioneer of the Year, The Hank Swicord 

Distinguished Service of the Year, Small Business 

Person of the Year and Jean L. Shafer Ambassador 

of the Year. 

Above: Friday at the Beach on December 

14th: Bob Manning describes the advantages 

of Fractional ownership with Seclusion Bay’s 

exchange and travel options program with Interval 

International. This benefit provides owners 

with the ability to exchange Seclusion Bay time 

for some of the most premier, 5-star/5-diamond 

destinations worldwide. 

Top: On November 20th Chamber members enjoyed 

an evening of artwork and delicious edibles catered 

by eFish at the Visual Arts Center After Hours. 

Above: Dan Rowe, Executive Director of the TDC/ 

CVB, joined Chamber staff (from left) Jessica Summers, 

Jena Kimmel and (far right) Skip Alford at a special 

welcome reception in his honor in November. 

 

BAYSOLUTIONS 

 

 

January 17, 2008 

LaQuinta Inn, 1000 Thomas Drive 

Panama City Beach, Florida 

Investment: $149.95 

 

February 21, 2008 

Location To Be Determined 

Panama City, Florida 

Investment: $149.95 

Enroll 3 or more from the same organization and save 10%. 

Seating is limited. Call 850-763-4332 or visit us online at 

www.baysolutions.com/trainingCalendar.asp to reserve seats 

for your team today. 


Friday at the Beach 

January 11, 2008 

7:30-9:00AM Boardwalk Beach Resort 

Guest Speaker: Dr. Rick Harper, Haas Center at UWF 

Sponsored by 

with Paris Janos of WJHG News Channel 7 

February 8, 2008 

7:30-9:00AM 

Marriott Bay Point Golf Resort & Spa 

Guest Speaker: Simon Property Group 

Sponsored by 

Call the Chamber to RSVP at (850) 235-1159, or email 

Joyce at PCBeach.org or Bertie@PCBeach.org. 

LEADS GROUP 

The Chamber’s two Leads Groups meet once per month to share business 

leads and information. The groups are industry specific, and allow 

just one of any profession to avoid conflict. Please join us: 

LEADS GROUP A meets at the Boatyard, 5323 North Lagoon Drive 

every second Thursday of the month at 12:00 Noon. 

Erven Sewell (850) 784-0032; esewell@copyproductscompany.com. 

LEADS GROUP B meets at the Boatyard every first Wednesday of the month at 

12:00 Noon. Jared Jones (850) 303-1989; jared.jones@knology.com. 

. 

Welcome 

to the 

2008 

Annual Awards 

Banquet 

The Greater Panama City 

Beaches Chamber of Commerce 

Join Amy Hoyt 

of News 13 as your 

Host for the evening. 

Who will be named... 

Ambassador of the Year? 

Small Business Person 

of the Year? 

Hank Swicord Distinguished 

Service of the Year? 

Pioneer of the Year? 

Friday, February 22, 2008 

Edgewater Beach Resort 

Big Band Swing Music 

Semi-Formal Attire 

C H A M B E R 

AfterHours 

Wednesday, January 16, 2008 

Firefly 

The Shoppes at Edgewater 

5:30 to 7:30 PM 

535 Beckrich Road, PCB 

R.S.V.P. to Bertie@PCBeach.org 

or Joyce@PCBeach.org 

Special Presentation by 

Peter Rummell of 

The St. Joe Company 

Corporate Tables Available 

Call (850) 235-1159 



 

To schedule a ribbon-cutting call Skip Alford at 814-4292 

Thomas Lee Photography 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MEMBERSHIP REPORT 

Skip Alford & Tyler Finklea 

Member Services 

As 2008 begins, we are looking forward to making this the best 

year ever for the members of this Chamber of Commerce. 

We welcome Rev. Ramon Duvall as our new Chairman of 

Ambassadors for 2008. Ramon brings exceptional enthusiasm and a 

strong sense of organization, both of which will serve him well in this 

position. The entire Chamber Staff is looking forward to working with 

Ramon to continue the excellence of the Ambassador program. Because, 

as you know, “Everybody Loves Ramon!” 

This year, we will be printing our 2008 Relocation Guide & Membership 

Directory which provides those new to the community, as well as those 

currently residing, here a valuable resource. All members are listed 

alphabetically and categorically in this guide, and Marta Rose, our Senior 

VP of Marketing, is re-designing the book cover-to-cover to the make it 

the best guide ever! 

At the January Ambassador meeting we are unveiling the new and improved Ambassador program. 

With more incentives in place and more opportunities to network and grow your business, it’s never 

been a better time to be an Ambassador. Curious about the changes? Contact Skip or Tyler at 234- 

1616, or contact them via email at Skip@PCBeach.org or Tyler@PCBeach.org. 


 

New Members 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hofbrau Beer Garden 

 

 

 

Christian Tennant Custom Homes of FL

AMBASSADOR UPDATE 

Rev. Ramon Duvall, Ambassador Chair 

This past year has been a busy one for our 

Ambassador Team. The pace was often 

hectic, moving from Grand Opening to 

 

back again. Somewhere in the midst of all the 

celebrations we found time to meet together 

for some memorable lunches and networking 

opportunities. A big “THANK YOU” to all of 

our Ambassadors and the Chamber Staff for 

 

productive. Special thanks as well to our outgoing 

Ambassador Chairman, Mr. Skip Stoltz, whose 

excellent leadership over the past two years has 

been an invaluable part of our success. 

2008 will certainly prove to be our most 

challenging and rewarding year ever. Our area is 

poised for another round of business expansion 

and community development. As new businesses 

open, established businesses retool and expand, 

and improvements to our infrastructure continue, 

the Ambassador Team will be in the midst of it all: 

Celebrating, networking, and helping business 

owners and their employees get the word out 

about the products and services they offer to our 

community. 

To business owners and managers: Is someone 

from your business representing you as a part of 

the Ambassador Team? If not, then I encourage 

you to contact Skip Alford or Tyler Finklea at the 

 

all it takes to get the information you and your 

employees need to become a part of one of 

the most amazing 

groups of people in 

Bay County: Our 

Ambassador Team! The strength of the Chamber 

is in networking - join the Ambassador Team and 

experience networking in a new and powerful 

way. 

To the Ambassador Team: I am blessed and 

honored to be your Chairman this year. We are 

inaugurating a new program of incentives to 

make your experience as an Ambassador even 

more rewarding and enjoyable. Helping others 

promote their businesses at Grand Openings and 

other events is a win-win. You get to know them, 

and they get to know you. The result: more 

business for us all! 

Renewals 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Care - 2 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Los Rancheros Mexican Restaurant - 4 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coast - 5 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CJ Ryan Media Management - 6


Continued from Page 22 

County, Alabama, 50 miles from his hometown of Tuscaloosa. Reggie is 

still active in the business, as Dana runs the day to day operations. Both 

Reggie and Dana believe in an old fashioned business philosophy of providing 

service and value, and treating employees with the utmost respect, 

and have done so for nearly 30 years. 

The Walsingham Family 

The Walsinghams have been residents of this community 

since 1950. Father Gary, son Mike and daughter Sherri 

Walsingham were students of the Bay County School System. 

Gary and Mike attended Gulf Coast Community College and 

Florida State University, and Sherri attended Bauder College. They 

opened the first Alvin’s 

Island (originally Alvin’s 

5¢ & 10¢) which sold in 

2003, and in June 2006 

opened Ripley’s Believe 

It Or Not! Museum. 

The Walsinghams 

believe, 

“Good foresight, 

open mindedness, 

and great 

decision-making 

skills make a 

The Walsinghams: Gary, Sherri and Mike. 


good leader.” They believe it is the new airport that this community 

needs in order to grow and move into the future. The Walsinghams 

learned from their parents to always work hard to get where you want to 

be, and once you are there, learn to take time to enjoy life. 

The Gilmore Family 

In the late sixties, Woody and Irene Miner sold everything they 

owned to follow the dream of owning a business in sunny Florida. 

They closed on the Driftwood Lodge on the week before Hurricane 

Camille hit the Mississippi Coast. Lorraine and Doug Gilmore 

joined the family business in 1971. In 1987 the Gilmores opened the Osprey 

Motel. Having been 

raised in the motels, the 

Gilmore girls learned the 

people skills they needed 

to be good innkeepers. 

Tracy and Suzanne 

co-manage the Driftwood 

and Osprey. 

For 35 years, Suzanne 

has been a resident of 

this community. Family 

includes husband 

Michael Burke of 10 

years and three children 

Catherine Grace, Olivia 

The Gilmores: (front) Irene; (back) Tracy 

Shoppe, Doug, Lorraine, Suzanne. 

and William Web. Suzanne attended Jinks Jr. High, Bay High, Mercer 

University, Gulf Coast Community College and Florida State University. 

She is a past Board member of The Greater Panama City Beaches 

Chamber of Commerce, and has worked for the Red Cross, the Bay 

County School System, Hyatt Pier 66, and currently is co-owner/manager 

of Gilmore Resorts and Rental Properties. 

Suzanne feels confidence, compassion, vision, goals 

and the ability to listen are the ideal qualities of a 

leader. A quality local government, cultural/educational institutions, 

and an active business community are what Panama City Beach needs to 

embrace growth. Suzanne is most proud of her three children and running 

an established and successful family business. Her parents taught her, 

“Your community is what you make of it.” 

Since childhood, Tracy has been a resident of Panama City Beach. 

Family includes husband Ted of 15 years and four children from 

ages 1 to 13. Tracy attended Beach Elementary, Bay High and the 

University of Florida. She is owner/manager of Gilmore Resorts and 

Rental Property. 

Tracy believes a leader demonstrates the qualities 

of compatibility as well as strong communication 

skills. The top three resources she feels are needed for 

this community to embrace growth and move into the future include 

infrastructure, affordable housing and mass transit. Tracy is most 

proud of the successful family business. “I believe our guests leave 

our motels with a positive feeling about our property and Panama 

City Beach as a whole,” she states. Her parents taught her this: 

Where you spend your time reflects what you value most. 

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