Niceville Chamber names Small Business of the Year, installs 2020 leaders

The Niceville Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce held its 2020 Awards Celebration and Officer Installation Dinner on the Center Stage at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center on February 6. Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Martha Miller, Synovus. She assisted 2019 Chairman of the Board Mike Guidry, Reliance, Test & Technology, Inc. in recognizing several area businesses and individuals for their contributions to the Chamber and the community in 2019.

NICEVILLE, Fla –– The Niceville Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce held its 2020 Awards Celebration and Officer Installation Dinner on the Center Stage at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center, located on the Northwest Florida State College, Niceville Campus, Thursday evening, February 6, 2020, with a Mardi Gras theme.

Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Martha Miller, Synovus. She assisted 2019 Chairman of the Board Mike Guidry, Reliance, Test & Technology, Inc. in recognizing several area businesses and individuals for their contributions to the Chamber and the community in 2019. She then facilitated the customary “Passing of the Gavel” as nine Past Chairmen of the Board passed the ceremonial gavel to 2020 Chairman of the Board, Teresa Halverson, The Manor at Blue Water Bay.

The late Mayor Randall Wise, City of Niceville, was honored several times during the program in recognition of his unwavering support of the Chamber, his leadership, contributions and the impact he made to our community and on the lives of many of the individuals in attendance.

The following businesses and individuals were recognized with awards:

• Small Business of the Year: 3rd Planet Brewing
• Young Professional of the Year: Emily Clarrey, Katie’s House of Flowers
• Large Business of the Year: Okaloosa Gas District
• You Rock! Award: Jimmie Boisjolie, LJ Schooners Restaurant at BWB Marina
• Volunteer of the Year: Bob Marinan
• Community Enrichment: 4-H Camp Timpoochee
• Rev. Dennis Brown Servant Leadership Award: Rev. Rurel Ausley, Crosspoint
• Chairman’s Choice Award: Dr. Devin Stephenson Northwest Florida State College

2020 Officers and Board Members:

Officers

• Chairman of the Board: Teresa Halverson, The Manor at Blue Water Bay
• Chairman Elect: Garrett Floyd, Niceville Insurance Agency
• Past Chairman of the Board:  Mike Guidry, Reliance Test & Technology
• Treasurer:  Heather Jourdan, Carr, Riggs & Ingram
• Vice Chair Special Events: Bernard Johnson, Gulf Power Company
• Vice Chair Membership Development:  Dr. Mike Mosley, Rocky Bayou Christian School
• Vice Chair Community Development: Bob Marinan

Board Members at Large

• Rev. Rurel Ausley, Crosspoint
• Mandy Campbell, Ferrin Campbell Construction, LLC
• Debbie Elliott, Synovus
• Jean Anne Encardes, Waste Management of the Gulf Coast
• Ken Hair, Children In Crisis
• Lee Lewis, AVCON
• Leslie Moland, White-Wilson Medical Center
• Tim Parsons, Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Amy Pedone Slaman, Beggs & Lane
• Eddie Springle, Okaloosa Gas District
• Dr. Devin Stephenson, Northwest Florida State College
• Scott Thompson, EWA Government Systems, Inc.
• Tina Rushing, CHELCO
• Brian Walsh, Coastal Brick & Stone & Key Lime Construction
• Michelle Williams, Beach Community Bank

Past Presidents taking part in the Passing of the Gavel:

• Carolyn Mueller, 1984
• Dr. David Goetsch, 1989
• Sandy Sims, Gulf Power, 2002
• Dave Morrow, The Ryland Morrow Allstate Agency, 2003
• Martha Miller, Synovus, 2005
• Dr. David Goetsch, 2007
• Brian Walsh, Coastal Brick & Stone & Key Lime Construction, 2009
• Lorena Spillar, PrimeLending, 2011-12
• Duane Gallagher, The Manor at Blue Water Bay, 2012-13
• Alan Wood, CCB Community Bank, 2016
• Jenni Brunson, Okaloosa Gas District, 2017
• Gordon King, Okaloosa Gas District, 2018
• Mike Guidry, Reliance Test & Technology, 2019
• Teresa Halverson, The Manor at Blue Water Bay, 2020

Retiring Board Members:

• Gordon King, Okaloosa Gas
• Tyler Jackson, CHELCO
• Casey Laflin, PNB Community Bank
• Tracy Wood, NextHome Cornerstone Realty
• Sal Nodjomian, Matrix Design Group

PHOTO (ABOVE): 2020 Niceville Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce Executive Board