View This Issue - Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce

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
The Circuit January/February 2008 17