On Jan. 23, Destin Chamber members celebrated the Chamber’s most outstanding individuals and businesses, during the annual Awards Party & Wine Pairing Dinner Presented by Trustmark. Hosted by Brotula's Seafood House & Steamer on the beautiful Destin Harbor, the event featured a cocktail reception and awards ceremony, before guests were treated to a curated dinner and wine pairing.
The 2024 Destin Chamber Chairman Christian Carlee of First National Bank began the awards ceremony by calling Dr. Gilberto Vigo of VITAS Healthcare to the stage. Together they presented the Paul Woolman Ambassador of the Year Award Sponsored by VITAS Healthcare to David Butler of Faith Assembly Christian Church.
“As you know, the Ambassadors play a vital role in the success of our functions and events. This year’s winner certainly earned the honor. He's always early. He’s always organizing. He’s always making sure the Ambassadors have energy and enthusiasm. Of course, he’s full of energy and enthusiasm himself. Always smiling or laughing, and just plain having fun, he makes it easy for everyone,” explained Carlee.
Next, Carlee called Jenni Brunson, Public Relations Specialist for Okaloosa Gas, to the stage to present the Ann Gibson Community Service Award. Okaloosa Gas stresses the importance of community involvement and service, so it is a natural fit to sponsor this award.
“It’s always great to see someone serve the community for many, many years, doing all they can to preserve the quality of place and quality of life we enjoy. This year we are not just honoring one such person, but two. They are lifelong Destin residents, some even say part of the founding families,” said Brunson, who went on to describe all the ways in which this couple has served the Destin community.
She then presented the Ann Gibson Community Service Award sponsored by Okaloosa Gas to Destin City Councilor Sandy Trammell and her late husband Karl.
Todd Seagle, Executive Vice President & Commercial Relationship Manager with Trustmark, came to the stage to present the Business Person of the Year Award. He explained Trustmark's sponsorship of the Business Person of the Year Award, which perfectly aligns with its core values of integrity, service, accountability, relationships and solutions.
He announced Justin Woodard of Community Bank as the 2024 Business Person of the Year Sponsored by Trustmark.
"This year’s winner deserves this recognition for so many reasons. He has been in Destin for a long, long time. He has built his company and its reputation to one of the best in the area and that stems from his involvement in the community," explained Seagle.
The James D. Neilson Sr. Chairman's Award for Volunteer Service Award Sponsored by The Barrett School was presented next. Carlee called The Barrett School Founder and Director of Operations Alex Weinberg to the stage to assist with the presentation.
“This year’s winner has gone so far and above that it’s impossible to describe her value to the Destin Chamber and the business community. She attends almost everything the Chamber does. She is truly an extension of the staff. She has a leadership role in the Destin Rotary Club, and her enthusiasm and happiness are infectious,” said Carlee. He then called Brenda Gray of Hilton Garden Inn - Destin/Miramar Beach to the stage to receive the award, which was determined by the Chairman of the Board and President & CEO, after input from chamber staff.
"We have one final recognition tonight, and it’s a very special one. The board of directors, at its discretion, can present special awards and recognition as it sees fit. This year, we have a Lifetime Membership to present. But not only that, we are also dedicating and renaming our conference room to and for this person," said Carlee. After listing his numerous achievements and community service roles, he called Col. Kim Wintner, USAF Retired, to the stage to accept this award. He said a special ceremony will be held at the Chamber in February to officially name its conference room the Colonel Kim M. Wintner Conference Room.
Before closing the event, Carlee recognized the Chamber’s outgoing board members Jennifer Gutai Comella of Hand Arendall Harrison Sale LLC and Mackenzie Mainland of Scenic Stays for their outstanding leadership on the board. He also recognized the Chamber's Vice President Elizabeth Spies for 20 years of service to the organization and presented her with a 3-night stay from Newman-Dailey Resort Properties. He then called all past Chairman and Board members to the front and led them in a toast to the Chamber and the year ahead.
Thank you to all event sponsors who contributed greatly to the event’s success, including presenting sponsor Trustmark; awards sponsors The Barrett School, Okaloosa Gas, Trustmark and VITAS Healthcare; bar sponsors Five Channels and Warren Averett, LLC; centerpiece and napkin sponsor Five Channels; and gold sponsors Gulf Coast Shutter / Overhead Door and Island Time Mobile Detailing LLC.
Photo Caption: Congratulations to all of the award winners from the Destin Chamber’s Jan. 23 Awards Party & Wine Pairing Dinner! Pictured here (left to right) are as follows:
- 2024 Chamber Chairman Christian Carlee of First National Bank;
- Col. Kim Wintner, USAF Retired, received a Lifetime Membership and the Chamber’s conference room will be named after him;
- Justin Woodard, Community Bank, winner of the Business Person of the Year Sponsored by Trustmark;
- Destin City Councilor Sandy Trammell, winner of the Ann Gibson Community Service Award sponsored by Okaloosa Gas, along with her late husband Karl;
- David Butler, Faith Assembly Christian Church, winner of the Paul Woolman Ambassador of the Year Award Sponsored by VITAS Healthcare;
- and Brenda Gray, Hilton Garden Inn – Destin/Miramar Beach, winner of the James D. Neilson Sr. Chairman's Award for Volunteer Service Award Sponsored by The Barrett School.
