bay biz magazine - april-june 2012

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Bay Biz Magazine

c/o Bay County Chamber of Commerce235 W. 5th Street - P.O. Box 1850Panama City, Florida 32402

[email protected] Online: www.panamacity.orgfacebook.com/baychamberfltwitter.com/bachamberfl

The Bay Biz is published quarterly by the Bay County Chamber ofCommerce. P.O. Box 1850, Panama City, FL 32402. 850.785.5206

POSTMASTER send address changes to Bay County Chamber, P.O. Box1850, Panama City, FL 32402 or email [email protected].

The Bay Biz welcomes story ideas from its readers. Email [email protected]. Each Chamber Member receives one copy. Torequest additional copies please contact [email protected] orcall 850.215.3755.

PUBLISHERCarol Roberts

EXECUTIVE EDITORCrystal Shuller

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

DESIGNBellhouse Publishing

COVERCustoms & Border Protection Officers Prepare

to Search Cargo Shipment

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERSCrystal Shuller, Elizabeth Smith, Pat Holley,

Holly Gardner, United Way of NWFL

Kim BodineJennifer ConoleyThomas GarciaPat Holley

Tricia PearceBrooke PowellShannon SheibeCrystal Shuller

4 BAY BIZ | April - June 2012

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The first quarter of 2012has been filled with manyexciting opportunities for ourcommunity and region. First and foremost the

transition is complete withthe development of the newBay County Economic

Development Alliance (Bay EDA). Under the leadership of NealWade, Executive Director and Joey Ginn, Chairman of the Board,Bay County is poised for one of the most aggressive efforts inmy career, to bring new and expanding industries to ourcommunity and to partner with surrounding areas in a trulyregional effort. The Bay County Chamber is an investing partneron our members behalf, with the understanding that when newindustry comes to town, everyone will prosper whether via newjobs, calling on existing businesses for products or services orjust the important fact of bringing wealth to our community. Weencourage you to contact the team at the Bay EDA to see howyou may be able to invest at a higher level to support theseefforts. Here at the Bay County Chamber we’ve rolled out our new

and innovative website that not only promotes Chamberinvolvement, benefits and referrals but also promotes BayCounty to the world. We are extremely appreciative of the teamat ARINC, a worldwide defense contractor with local offices, fortheir efforts to make this new site more user-friendly andtechnologically complete with the most advanced toolsavailable. Check it out at Panamacity.org and if you, as a member,would like more visibility on the site, contact our office foradvertising opportunities.The Governmental Affairs Committee has been very active this

legislative session staying in tune with issues affecting yourbusiness, professional and personal lives. On the federal level,Congressman Steve Southerland has continued his fight tosupport Florida’s vital Military Mission Line, which protectsmilitary training and operations along Florida’s Gulf Coast –including Bay County’s Tyndall Air Force Base and Naval SupportActivity-Panama City. In a recently-debated House transportationfunding bill, Southerland recognized that a Gulf offshore drilling

provision could put Florida’s military capabilities at risk. He andhis staff worked diligently with this Chamber, the Bay DefenseAlliance and the Tourist Development Council to ensure that ourcommunity’s voice was heard on this issue. Stay tuned to thisone as we all know the negative effect that drilling beyondFlorida’s Military Mission Line would have on our military andtourism, which both represent multi-million dollar industries andprovide thousands of jobs. The committee is in the process ofdeveloping a new communication tool to keep you up to date onlegislation via an electronic newsletter to alert you on issues andwill provide you with a direct way to voice your opinion to ourelected officials. We know that this issue of Bay Biz will be of interest to you

and your business as it is filled with items about the communitythat you can utilize to be more successful. Our main article andcover is featuring U.S. Customs and Border Protection and theirmission here locally at Port Panama City. Other articles includeupdates from each of our seven municipalities and countygovernment, along with the importance to your business ofgrowing your employees through continuing educationopportunities in the area and allowing them to volunteer in thecommunity. We’re including member news in the “Biz List” andhighlighting two important Bay Young Professionals in the areathat you should get to know. Also, don’t forget to take part in upcoming activities we have

planned to celebrate our number one industry in the area-Tourism. Our events department is planning some fun networkingopportunities with the help of Pier Park Bookit.com and theTourist Development Council to celebrate “Tourism AppreciationMonth”. Visit the website for more details. We thank each of you, our members, for your continued

support of our aggressive business plan for 2012 and beyond.Please contact our office at 850.785.5206 to see how you maybecome more involved. Thank you for your role in making BayCounty a great place to live, work and play!

Carol Roberts,President/CEO

President’s Message


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Political Profile:

written by Pat Holley, Governmental Affairs - Bay County Chamber

Ed SmithBay County Manager since 2005Population: 169,278

“Bay County, particularly inthe last few years, has seen anaggressive capital improvementprogram that has resulted in anew county pier, library, EOC

building and Lagoon Bridge. The Port, the new airport and therestructured Economic Development Alliance are all tremendousassets to the community as well”, according to Mr. Smith. Like all other municipalities, there are also challenges, such as,

creating new jobs, funding state mandates and cutting orstreamlining regulations.Even with these challenges, “the future looks bright for Bay

County”, Mr. Smith proclaims, “with the new airport as a majorcatalyst for growth. The county is investing in its infrastructure withfiber optics and traffic infrastructure already started”. Bay Countyand its manager are ready to keep growing.

Ken HammonsPanama City Manager since 1993Population: 36,590

“Panama City services havecome a long way over the lastfew years”, says Mr. Hammons,“such as street maintenance,solid waste and water/sewer,

which have all been updated and will continue to be addressed.Also, the city was able to save some revenue from the good

years and that move has continued to help in the leaner years”. Mr. Hammons noted that the challenges Panama City and

other local government are facing over the next few yearsinclude the unfunded state mandates, as well as, accomplishingthe redevelopment of the old airport and invigorating the localmerchants.The current initiative to revitalize the Panama City Marina will

be one of the catalysts to bring people to the downtown area.“There is a lot of potential for development of several thousandacres in north Panama City”, Mr. Hammons says, “I see a positivefuture for Panama City and all of Bay County.”

John LynchLynn Haven City Manager since 1988Population: 18,585

The Lynn Haven financialoutlook was bleak when Mr.Lynch began; however, sincethen, they have been able to

turn it around. He is also proud of the city for having fourteensuccessful audits; employee pay raises every year and no lay-offs.The city saw explosive growth from 1999-2008. A benefit to theresidential community included modified sub-division regulations,which called for sidewalks and underground utilities. With theaddition of the commercial park and more goods and services,more jobs have been created. Mr. Lynch is adamant that much ofthe success in Lynn Haven is due to having tenured citycommissions who really care and have been in place long enoughto see the growth.


Big8Update

The

Bay County has seven municipalities each with their own mayor/commissioner form of government – Panama City, PanamaCity Beach, Lynn Haven, Springfield, Mexico Beach, Callaway and Parker. The Bay County Commission governs theunincorporated areas of the county. All eight of these governments rely on managers/clerks to be the “keeper of the keys’.These professionals give us a quick update on each of their accomplishments, challenges and goals.

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April - June 2012 | BAY BIZ 9

Mr. Lynch says, “One of the biggest challenges facing allmunicipalities is trying to convince the legislature that “home rule”is the best way to operate government”. Home rule would allowmunicipalities more administrative control over the area that theyknow best with self-government. “Lynn Haven continues to be the crown jewel of Bay County,”

boast its city manager. “The future looks strong, with more peopleand businesses realizing that this is the premier place to work, liveand raise a family.”

Judy WhitisCallaway City Manager since 1997Population: 14,383

When asked about anyachievements she’s proud of,Ms. Whitis included the city’sdesign, land acquisition,

securing of the USDA grant/loan and overseeing construction ofCallaway’s new Public Safety Building. This energy-efficientbuilding, houses the city’s fire department and the Bay CountySheriffs subsation. She also noted there has been many changes for the positive

in the last few years, have the extension of water/sewer utilitiesto Allanton and the acquisition of the Sandy Creek utilities.Another item that will make a difference is the recent formationof a CRA to include development design standards and fivedistinct redevelopment districts along the city commercialcorridor. “One of the biggest challenges Callaway faces includes trying

to maintain quality services for our citizens with fewer personneland a shoe string budget. State mandates that are unfundedcontinue to plague our city as it does all the municipalities”, saysMs. Whitis. She is hopeful however, because Callaway is seeing a small

rebound in commercial development and residential construction.If it continues, it can make the future more secure.

Richard JacksonPanama City Beach Managersince 1980Population: 12,025

With his long andsuccessful history, Mr.Jackson has seen manybeneficial changes to Panama

City Beach, including the redevelopment of the commercial areaswith the addition of larger retailers and new buildings with higherquality standards of construction. For the last ten years, the on-going CRA has been crucial to improving the roadway system, witheven more improvements to come in the next 20 years. When asked about his achievements, Mr. Jackson could fill a

page or two. One of his top choices was in the late 80’s and early90’s when the city was able to successfully develop a workablecomprehensive plan without having to increase taxes and avoidedan ad valorem tax. Another accomplishment is the opening of thenew conservation park and trails. Mr. Jackson said he is very proud

of the city’s staff and engineering that worked on this project forso long.With tourism as the number one industry in Panama City Beach,

it makes for a very competitive market. The beach consistentlyranks high on the lists of places to visit. However, challenges stillexist with staying high on the list and helping increase airportpassenger traffic. Jackson says they will continue to work onthose challenges as well as work through the state unfundedmandates. Mr. Jackson is optimistic about the future of Panama City

Beach and feels fortunate that there is some growth in theeconomy and more opportunities coming their way.

Anne AndrewsSpringfield City Clerk and Financial Director since 2009Population: 8,908

Ms. Andrews says, “The city,even with the slow economy,has had new development overthe last few years. The

Volkswagon/Honda dealership, Race Trac and Flowers bakery havebrought jobs to Springfield.” She also says, “The city is particularlyproud of a new storm water project that has been completed inthe Robindale subdivision. For nearly 40 years this area had beenflood prone. With the help of grants and 9 years of working withFEMA, the city was able to receive approximately $2.1 millionthrough the Northwest Florida Water Management district andthe Florida legislature to fix this problem”.“Springfield’s biggest challenge is the same as all cities in this

down economy and that is operating revenue”, says Ms. Andrews.However, she is proud that they have not laid off any employees,the main reason being that Springfield does not depend on CityProperty Taxes, Ms. Andrews stated, “Another added value to noproperty taxes is the decreasing property values have not affectedus as much as others. However, the rising costs of insurance andother necessities have put a crunch on their revenues.”Ms. Andrews credits the mayor and council members as valued

partners in managing the City of Springfield. She says, “We arelooking forward to a successful future as we concentrate onplanned growth and working together with our citizens to improvethe quality of life in Springfield.

Adonna MullenParker City Clerk since 2006Population: 4,329

“For the first time in nearlytwenty years, Parker has a newmayor. This is the biggestchange I have seen,” says Ms.Mullen. “Another change

includes a newly established CRA, and although there are nofunds yet, they hope to receive some in the near future as Parkergrows.”

Continued on page 10

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When asked about accomplishments Parker has had, she stated,“in the last few years the city has been able to balance its budgetwithout imposing any ad-valorem taxes or dipping into theirreserves.” She is also particularly proud that they are nearly paper-less. They accomplished this with a special computer system andstaff training. Ms. Mullen identifies challenges that face Parker as finding

funding for their infrastructure; a decrease in population andreduced revenue. However, she remains optimistic and says thefuture will bring growth to Parker, and if they work hard and settheir minds to it, they can accomplish anything.

Chris Hubbard Mexico Beach City Managersince 2006Population: 1079

After being stationed atTyndall and falling in love withthe area, Chris Hubbard becameMexico Beach’s City Manager.

He feels their biggest accomplishment is they were able to setaside six months of operation cash in an emergency fund, whilesimultaneously decreasing taxes on the citizens. He adds thatanother success includes the purchase of a new dredge toconstruct a sand bypass system to keep the canal open, extendthe City Pier and partner with the St. Joe Company to construct athree-space boat ramp. Mr. Hubbard is adamant the change that has affected most

municipalities has been the number of new regulations from thestate and federal governments. The ever-increasing fishingrestrictions by FWC and NOAA are having catastrophicconsequences on the recreational fishing industry, a vital part ofMexico Beach.He believes the things they can’t control locally will prove to

be their biggest challenges such as state/federal mandates andregulations.“Mexico Beach and all of Bay County have great things going

for us”, says Mr. Hubbard, “our location on the coast, new airport,Port Panama City, military bases, colleges and establishedinfrastructure. With all of it, there is nowhere to go but up!”

Our community is privileged to have dedicated andknowledgeable professionals in these positions. All of them displaya positive attitude and a sincere desire to see all of Bay Countygrow.

Continued from page 9

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f you were to mention September 11, 2001, most people

would recall where they were and the significance of this date

in our nation’s history. As that day so tragically demonstrated,

protecting our nation’s borders whether by air, land, or sea has

taken on a level of urgency like never before.

Prior to September 11, 2001, two (2) people – the Port Director

and a part-time Customs Inspector, staffed the U.S. Customs Of-

fice in Panama City. The agency was responsible for the enforce-

ment of import/export laws and regulatory compliance and law

enforcement functions of all vessels and aircraft arriving from for-

eign destinations. In response to the 9/11 attacks the Congress

established the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on

March 1, 2003.

As a result, a majority of 180,000 employees from 22 agencies

were merged to create the 15th department in the federal govern-

ment. The creation of the Department coordinated a national

strategy for America, “One Face at the Border”, for the protection

of the U.S. against future terrorist attacks. This was accomplished

Customs and BorderProtection, Panama City:Securing the border and facilitating the movement oflegitimate trade.

by merging three agencies, U.S. Customs Service, U.S. Immigration

and Naturalization Service, and U.S. Department of Agriculture into

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Locally at Port Panama City, the creation of CBP brought to-

gether two legacy Customs Inspectors, one legacy Agriculture In-

spector, and one legacy Immigration Inspector. Since then, those

four CBP employees merged their offices, policies, and began learn-

ing each other’s responsibilities to establish that “One face at the

border”, now performing all functions, focusing exclusively on se-

curing our borders, and facilitating the movement of legitimate

trade and travelers.

Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the shipping line, Linea

Peninsular, Inc., moved its entire container ship operation from the

Port of Bienville, MS to Port Panama City, Florida. The increase in

business created challenges for the Port Authority. CBP rose to

the challenge and secured the personnel and infrastructure nec-

essary to ensure that the agency’s mission would not be compro-

mised.

ICBP Officer inspects engine in shipment


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CBP’s mission to regulate and control the borders against illegal

entrants, terrorist entry, drugs, and other contraband is accom-

plished primarily through physical inspection of cargo, conveyances,

and persons as they enter the country. To improve the inspection

process, CBP continuously seeks technological solutions that are

cost effective and safe. Cargo entering the United States from any

foreign territory is subject to physical by inspection CBP to verify

that it complies with all U.S. laws and regulations. CBP employs a

multi-layered strategy that begins while the cargo is still in the

foreign location. Officers use various advanced technologies in dif-

ferent combinations to substantially increase the likelihood terror-

ist weapons, including a nuclear or radiological weapon will be

detected and interdicted.

Deployment of Non-Intrusive Inspection technology (NII) is

viewed as "force multipliers" that enable CBP Officers to screen or

examine a larger portion of the stream of container traffic. The

port also utilizes Radiation Portal Monitors (RPMs). RPMs are ca-

pable of detecting various types of radiation emanating from nu-

clear devices, dirty bombs, special nuclear materials, natural

sources, and isotopes. This system provides CBP with a passive, non-

intrusive means to screen trucks and other conveyances for the

presence of nuclear and radiological materials.

Another method of conducting inspections using (NII) technol-

ogy is the use of low-energy X-ray or low-energy gamma radiation

sources to “see” into cargo containers and identify potential con-

traband. This NII, called a Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System

(VACIS), allows CBP Officers to inspect for contraband without

having to physically enter into or unload containers. The tremen-

dous and growing workload demanded a shift from manpower-in-

tensive methods to more efficient technology-based solutions.

The NII technology provides CBP with the capability of increas-

ing the total number of inspections performed daily, and allows

for the examination of very difficult commodities in a timely and

cost effective manner.

Panama City CBP office is staffed with professionals who

proudly serve their local community and country by utilizing every

skill and technology at their disposal to identify and prevent ter-

rorists and terrorist weapons from entering the Port of Panama

City and to protect the United States agricultural and economic

interests from harmful pests and diseases.

Everyday, outstanding CBP employees selflessly go above and

beyond the call of duty and truly exemplify the meaning of public

service. With unwavering determination, they do whatever it takes

to protect the American people and our way of life.


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With the invention of smart-phones, the Internet and social media, a newapproach to emergency preparedness is as simple as downloading an app. Disasters happen. With smart-phones, users can download apps that alert them to severe

weather, like tornadoes, providing an opportunity to seek shelter from dangerous weatherconditions. Often following extreme weather events, electricity and landline telephone serviceis unavailable, making smart-phones extremely useful for emergency response andcommunications. Smart-phones are able to stay connected to the Internet through a cell serviceprovider and are not dependent on traditional communication methods. In 2011, Florida experienced tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, flooding, extreme temperatures

and more. Hurricane season is right around the corner, but technology makes preparing simplerfor any emergency. Local media offer several smart phone apps for news and weather updates. News Channel 7-

WJHG can be found at www.wjhg.com, News Channel 13 – WMBB has an app called iTitan, availableat www.wmbb.com and The News Herald’s can be found in smart phone app stores under PanamaCity News Herald. The Weather Channel offers a free, customizable weather alert app for download at

www.weather.com/services/mobilesplash.html.The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers an app that contains information

on preparedness for various disasters, an interactive checklist for emergency kits, and maps todisaster recovery centers and shelters. Access the app at www.fema.gov/app.The “S.O.S by the American Red Cross” is a free app for Android users that provides real-time

emergency care instructions and an expansive resource guide for emergency care information inorder to help save lives. A step-by-step video narration and follow-along demonstrations formore than 50 common emergencies is included. It also features 9-1-1 dialing that auto-launches

Trends:Emergency Preparedness


written by Brooke Powell, Bay County Emergency Services Training & Safety Coordinator

There’s an app (or website)

for that

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a map with location information for the emergency dispatchertaking the call. Access the app athttps://market.android.com/details?id=com.sharecare.sos. The Florida Division of Emergency Management Website,

www.floridadisaster.org, contains a wide range of valuableinformation for Florida residents. The division can also be followedon www.Twitter.com/FLSERT or www.Facebook.com/FloridaSERT. Emergencies can occur anywhere. My Surf World offers iPhone

users an app about beach safety here in Bay County. It covers ripcurrents, treatment of jellyfish stings, and facts about sharks andtheir behavior. The app is available athttp://itunes.apple.com/us/app/beach-safety/id367259543?mt=8.It is important not to be entirely reliant on these new

technologies. The most reliable form of emergencycommunication is a NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio. During life-threatening weather conditions, NOAA weather radios send out aspecial alarm tone to signal a watch or warning alerting listenersto take appropriate safety measures. The signal transmits any timeday or night, even if a family is not listening to the broadcast. Earlywarning is critical because weather can quickly turn deadly.Emergency Alert System (EAS) messages automatically trigger

the Tone Alert All-Hazard radio, sending important public safetyinformation to people when they are home, at work or in school.Special technology is also available for the disabled.

Plan now!Business-owners are urged to take advantage of these tools.

Hurricane season begins June 1. “If your business closes due to adisaster there is a 40 percent chance your business will neverreopen.” Bay County Chief of Emergency Services Mark Bowen said.“We urge all Bay County businesses to get ready by building orrenewing their business disaster plans.”All businesses should have a Continuity of Operations Plan

(COOP).Bay County Emergency Services has developed “COOP” software

for local businesses. The software uses a series of questions toprovide a customized plan for your business that can allow thecontinuation of essential operations should a disaster occur. Thissoftware is available at the Bay County Government Center (840W. 11th St.), the Bay County Chamber (235 W. 5th St.) or online athttp://baycountyfl.gov/emergency/management.php. In addition to this software, there are a number of Web-based

tools business owners can use to create a plan such as,www.Ready.gov, www.sba.gov, and www.floridadisaster.org.Bay County Emergency Services also provides educational

materials and presentations as a public service. If you are interestedin a disaster preparedness presentation for your business, pleasecall 850-248-6050.


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In today’s economy, a more educated employee is a more valu-

able employee, Continuing education benefits our workforce and

business community. Providing benefits such as additional training

and continuing education opportunities can create better leaders,

improve skills and help retain key employees to create true com-

pany success.

Continuing education and training benefits can come in many

forms to fit busy schedules and various career fields, including

one-hour online webinars, one-day trainings, in-house training

where the instructor comes to the employees and traditional col-

lege tuition reimbursement. Some training opportunities include

small fees; however, there are many free options available in the

community as well.

While some careers require continuing education to keep a li-

cense current, such as the education and medical fields, employee

training should not stop there. Life Management Center recently

invested in their employees’ education and brought an instructor

on site to provide 4 days of intense leadership training for several

of their middle managers, arranged through Gulf Coast State Col-

lege. Skills taught included organization of workflow, time man-

agement tools and supervisory techniques.

“At the end of the training on Friday afternoon, we were so

Grow Your Employee, Grow Your BusinessEDUCATION:

{written by Tricia Pearce, Community Relations Specialist – Life Management Center of NWFL


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pleased to find our staff extremely excited about their train-

ing,” said Ned Ailes, CEO of Life Management Center. “They

were surprisingly energized and motivated to get back to their

jobs where they could implement the skills they had learned.”

Bay County has many resources available for training and

continuing education. Advanced degrees are available through

Gulf Coast State College (GCSC), Florida State University -

Panama City, Haney Technical Center Troy University-Panama

City, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Tyndall AFB

campus. GCSC’s Small Business Development Center also of-

fers continuing education classes through one-day seminars or

a course held over a few weeks.

In addition, members of the Bay County Chamber have the

opportunity to participate in the Chamber’s seminars ranging

from public speaking, marketing, finance, insurance and writing

techniques as well as access to professional private sector busi-

nesses that offer training services.

Training makes your employee more marketable, valuable

and provides your employee with the chance to grow and be-

come more productive within your organization. Promoting your

company’s training and continuing education benefits during an

interview might also help you land your most promising recruit.

Many area business professionals are furthering their edu-

cation in hopes of advancing their careers, and many organiza-

tions are stepping up to meet the increased demand. Whether

the employee’s choice is to go back to college for an advanced

degree or partake of the many opportunities for personal de-

velopment offered by the Bay County Chamber and other or-

ganizations, don’t miss out on the opportunity to cultivate

educated and robust employees.

For more information on member training opportunities or as-

sistance, visit the Chamber’s website at www.panamacity.org

or read below for additional resources:

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Tyndall AFB:www.erau.edu/tyndall (850)283.4557

Florida State University – Panama City:www.pc.fsu.edu (850)872.4750

Gulf Coast State College:www.gulfcoast.edu/continuinged (850)769.1551

Haney Technical Center:www.bayschools.com/htc (850) 767.5500

Small Business Development Center: www.northfloridabiz.com (850)271.1108

Troy University-Panama City: www.panamacity.troy.edu (850)747.0634

{12001372_Magazine 4/3/12 7:23 AM Page 18

Many young professionals are enthusiastic about area business and communityopportunities and are ready to get involved as new leaders. Bay YoungProfessionals (BYP) was formed by the Bay County Chamber of Commerce tospecifically address the needs of this target age group, 21-41, to enrich ourcommunity by uniting, developing and retaining our future leaders.

If you are interested in becoming part of the Bay Young Professionals (BYP) group,contact Elizabeth Smith at 850.215.3761 or [email protected].

Bay Young Professionals

Jonathan (Jon) Smiley, was born andraised in Bay County where he graduated from Bay High School in 2001.The week after he graduated, he accepted a position with Peoples FirstCommunity Bank as a floating teller. He continued to work full timeas he attended Gulf Coast State College and then transferred to FSUPanama City and attained a Bachelor of Science in BusinessAdministration in 2010. Over the past 12 years he proceeded up throughmany positions including Head Teller, Manager Trainee, and BranchManager. After Hancock Bank’s acquisition of Peoples First in 2010, hewas promoted to Assistant Vice President / Business Banker. In this role Jon serves Bay and Jackson Counties, where he handles

small business financial needs including deposits, loans and lines ofcredit and merchant service. Jon appreciates the values and ideals“Honor & Integrity, Strength & Stability, Commitment to Service, Team-work, and Personal Responsibility”, that Hancock Bank founded morethan a century ago. Jon has been involved with the community in many ways including

Junior Achievement for six years and United Way for two years. He hasalso been a very active Bay County Chamber member through variouscommittees such as the Junior Leadership Bay steering committee, Mili-tary Affairs Committee, and Bay Young Professionals since it began. Hegraduated from the Chamber’s Leadership Bay program in 2009 and inthe past has served on several other committees including the SmallBusiness Institute and Governmental Affairs. When Jon is not working hard or giving back to the community, he is

spending time with his beautiful wife of seven years Rachael Smiley and15 month old son, Jonathan, as well as, traveling, golfing, diving, goingto the gym and the shooting range.

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Nanisa Anderson was born and raisedin Panama City, Florida where she graduated from Rutherford HighSchool in 2003. She went on to earn her Associate of Arts degreein Pre-Communications from Gulf Coast Community College (nowGulf Coast State College) in 2005 and then transferred to FloridaState University in Tallahassee to finish her Bachelor of Arts degreein English with a minor in Communications in 2007.

During her time at Florida State University, Nanisa took on aninternship at the FSView & Florida Flambeau Newspaper in the pub-licity and promotions department. She instantly fell in love withthe field and decided to pursue the public relations industry. Shemoved to Atlanta, Georgia in 2007 and began working as an internand then as a publicity assistant for 360 Media Inc. – a lifestyle,entertainment and music public relations firm in the downtownarea. At 360 Media, she was taught the ins and outs of relationshipbuilding, business development, media buying, strategic event plan-ning and story pitching. She was fortunate enough to work onlocal projects and red carpet events in Atlanta; giving her a varietyof experience and insight.

Her love for the salty air, southern hospitality and familybrought Nanisa back to Panama City. She has written freelance ar-ticles for local publications and completed contract publicationwork for FSU Panama City. In 2009, Nanisa took on the role ofDevelopment Manager at Covenant Hospice. In this position,Nanisa manages all special events, event publicity, sponsorshipsand donor relations for the local branch. The most recognizable

event she directs is the Mask Parade & Gala, now in its 10th year,held each spring to benefit patients facing end-of-life in Bay andGulf counties. She credits the event’s success to the compassion-ate care of Covenant Hospice’s clinical staff, dedicated volunteers,community supporters and talented artists.

Nanisa is involved in the local community and participates inseveral organizations outside of her job. She is an active memberof the Junior Service League of Panama City and serves as the co-chair for the After School Assistance Program. She is a memberof the American Advertising Federation, the Bay County Chamberof Commerce and an advocate for United Way. She enjoys puttingher public relations skills to good use to assist events such asHolly Fair and the Azalea Trail.

On the weekends Nanisa enjoys writing, cooking, traveling andspending time with her friends, family and two bulldogs.


12001372_Magazine 4/3/12 12:10 PM Page 20

In early 2012 Governor Scott launched a year-long effort aimedat connecting military veterans with job openings in Florida called“Hiring Florida’s Heroes”. Luckily, the Gulf Coast Workforce Boardwas already in position to help train our local military membersand their spouses transitioning out of their service. The Gulf CoastWorkforce Board was one out of six organizations in the nation toreceive a grant as part of Microsoft’s “Elevate America” VeteransInitiative. This grant was named the “Mission 21st Century” programby the Gulf Coast Workforce Board and rightfully so, due to thecurrent technological age that demands the use of computers. “More and more jobs in every industry sector demand

technology skills,” said Kim Bodine, executive director for the GulfCoast Workforce Board. “By partnering with Microsoft we are able

DEFENSE INTEL:


written by: Thomas Garcia, Bay County Chamber/FSU-Panama City Communications Intern

MISSION

to provide our veterans with a wonderfulopportunity to obtain IT skills andcertifications that will help them transitioninto the civilian job market and besuccessful in the 21st century workplace.” Through the program, veterans and their

spouses are able to get a wide range oftechnology training and obtain industry-recognized certifications. The program alsoworks closely with the Workforce Centerto place these veterans into jobs. The technology training component of

the program includes online Microsoft training programs and one-week IT boot camp classes at Gulf Coast State College. A varietyof online Microsoft training is available including Word, Excel,PowerPoint, Outlook, and Access with the option to test and earna highly sought after Microsoft certifications such as “OfficeSpecialist” or “Master Technician”. Veterans who start the programlocally and move away after separation are able to still completethe program out of the area. Veterans with technical backgroundsin their military careers are encouraged to take the accelerated ITtraining - an advanced one-week boot camp class that utilizes priorknowledge and skill. Robert Lange, Staff Sergeant in Network and Systems

Administration, has already taken advantage of this program, “I

21st Century

Jerry Bushee explains opportunities with program at TAPS class

12001372_Magazine 4/3/12 7:23 AM Page 21

have completed the COMPTIA Network+ and the ITIL v3Foundations certifications due to the simple fact that in the ITfield, certifications are paramount when it comes to proving yourcompetency. Even with nine years of experience, the best way Ican quantify my worth to employers, and truly compete with thepeople with higher degrees, is by having certifications that provemy technical skills.” Jerry Bushee, coordinator of the program and a veteran himself

regularly outreaches to the local bases including participants inthe Transition Assistance Program at Tyndall, Eglin and HurlburtField. “The program is great because it allows veterans theopportunity to quickly obtain the training they need to go directlyinto work instead of taking the time to complete a full two tofour years in college,” said Bushee. “With these certificate programsthey are more marketable in the civilian job market either in theirtrained area or if they choose another job path.”


The program currently has over 220 individuals enrolled and isset to run through November 2012. Veterans from all branchesof the military including reservist and guardsmen are eligible forthe program. In order to qualify, veterans and/or their spousesmust either be transitioning out of the military (18 monthsprior/48 months after separation) or be unemployed and workingwith the Workforce Center.If you meet the requirements above and are interested in

participating, please contact Jerry Bushee at 850.872.4340 ext.112 or [email protected]. If you are a business and interested inhiring veterans including Mission 21st Century participants, pleasecontact Jeanette Deatherage at 850.872.4340 ext. 160 [email protected] to Microsoft and the Gulf Coast Workforce Board,

“Mission 21st Century” is giving the necessary training for ourheroes to succeed off the battlefield.

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12001372_Magazine 4/3/12 7:23 AM Page 23


Employ Florida MarketplaceWhether you’re searching for a

job or searching for a qualified can-didate, going online is almost amust in today’s job market - butwhere should you go? The EmployFlorida Marketplace, online at Em-ployFlorida.com is the state ofFlorida’s official website for em-ployment/workforce services. Usedby the Workforce Center and otherone stop career centers around thestate, it offers job seekers access tothousands of employment listings

and allows businesses to reach thousands of local, state and na-tional job seekers looking for entry-level to executive positions.The Marketplace is the state’s most comprehensive database ofjob openings, pulling job listings from CareerBuilder.com,Monster.com and MyFlorida.gov, the website for Florida govern-ment job openings as well as from jobs posted directly by regis-tered employers, and jobs listed on the Web sites of Floridabusinesses, among other sources.Receiving more than 9 million hits per day, EmployFlorida.com

also offers labor market statistics, access to training grants, re-

Kim Bodine, Executive Director– Gulf Coast Workforce Board

Workforce Connectionsources for education and training services and contact informa-tion for workforce professionals in the local area.Business and job seekers alike can take advantage of the wealth

of resources available to them through the Marketplace; here issome of what the site has to offer:For Jobseekers• Conduct and save job searches• Create and send resumes and cover letters to employers • Find training programs and providers • Receive automatic job notifications on jobs that match your skills through the Virtual Recruiter search agent

• Research career and wage information For Businesses• Post and manage job openings• Search candidates by skills, experience or region• Research labor market information• Learn about training grant opportunities• Connect to local workforce expertsAll of the services and resources available through the Employ

Florida Marketplace are available free of charge. If you are inneed of one on one assistance or have questions about the Em-ploy Florida Marketplace, please contact the Workforce Centerat 850-872-4340.

12001372_Magazine 4/3/12 12:11 PM Page 24

BIZ LISTThe

If you are a member of the Bay County Chamberand would like to submit your business news tobe published, email a press release and logo orphoto to [email protected].

CHAMBER MEMBERS SHARE THEIR BUSINESS NEWS

Glen McDonald of AppliedResearch Associates was giventhe highest honor within theChamber, the Lauren MerriamMemorial Award. McDonaldwas chosen for his commitmentto the community’s well being,as exemplified by involvementin Economic Development, Mili-tary Affairs, and Bay DefenseAlliance

David Lovett of Mad HatterAutomotive was given the JerryMills Small Business of the Yearaward. Mad Hatter Automotivewas selected by the Chamber’sSmall Business Institute be-cause they’ve demonstratedsuccessful growth, stability and

community involvement. Theaward is named after local busi-nessman Jerry Mills, who wasthe first chairman of the SmallBusiness Committee.

Pam Anderson of CaptainAndersons Marina accepted theMember of the Year award atthe February First Friday eventinstead of the Annual Dinnerdue to a schedule conflict. An-derson was chosen for goingabove and beyond the call ofduty for the Chamber and com-munity. “As an advocate for thefishing industry, which repre-sents a large segment of ourlocal economy, Anderson fightsfor this cause with passion andelegant class,” said Congress-man Southerland.

Mark McKinney, AgencyPrincipal of Allstate-McKinneyInsurance & Investments re-cently won Allstate Agent ofthe Year. The award winner ischosen based on numerous seg-ments and is presented eachyear to one agent per territoryin the state of Florida. McKin-ney’s territory spans from southof Orlando to Pensacola withroughly 300 agencies. Hisagency also finished #10 in thecountry with over 13,000 agen-cies making up Allstate Insur-ance Company in the U.S.

The U.S. Navy marked thefastest maritime surface craftspeed of 50 knots on alterna-tive fuel blends (50/50 algae-derived, hydro-processed algaloil and petroleum) with a Land-ing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC)during a demonstration at theNaval Surface Warfare CenterPanama City. Previously, thefastest speed demonstratedwith this alternative fuel blendwas 44.5 knots in October 2010.

The Bay County Chamberawarded the following membersat the 2012 Annual Dinner &Awards Ceremony:

Panama City Beach recentlycelebrated the completion of itsthree-month $16 million beachrenourishment project. Workingwith the United States Corps ofEngineers, 1.4 million cubic yardsof sand were pumped to approx-imately 7.5 miles of beach, ex-tending the shoreline by 100feet in many locations. Ex-tended shorelines on beachesalso protect sand dunes andserve as barriers for nearbyhomes, hotels and communityinfrastructure.

Bishop Lifting Products, Inc.,a leading fabricator and distribu-tor of products, services andlifting solutions for crane, rig-ging, marine, and oilfield applica-tions, finalized the purchase ofWest Florida Wire Rope in 2011.West Florida Wire Rope is a wirerope and rigging shop in PanamaCity, serving marine and onshorecustomers since 1993. Thismarks Bishop Lift Product’s firstexpansion into Florida and theeastern end of the Gulf of Mex-ico.

12001372_Magazine 4/3/12 7:23 AM Page 25

Northwest Florida BloodServices is in a major need ofblood donors because of a re-cent decline in donations, tohelp support surgeries, emer-gencies, those fighting cancerand other illnesses. All bloodtypes are welcome especially ONegative. Those eligible to do-nate must be 18 yrs. old, or 16with guardian consent, weigh110 lbs., present a picture ID andin good health. Each blooddonor receives a wellnesscheck and a cholesterol screen-ing. Visit www.nfbcblood.org orcall 850.473.3853 for info.

Clear Channel radio recentlyannounced Jackie Rinker asMarket Manager for PanamaCity. Rinker has previouslyserved as Director of Sales forClear Channel Birmingham, Sta-tion Manager/Director of Salesfor Treasure and Space CoastRadio, Account Manager, LocalSales Manager and GeneralSales Manager for Cox Radio inConnecticut and Orlando.

Sherl Morden, President ofSecond Chance of NorthwestFlorida, Inc. has been awardedby the National Association ofSocial Workers as the 2011 Pub-lic Citizen of the Year. Thisaward honors accomplishmentsthat exemplify the values andmission of professional socialwork. She will also be recog-nized at the national level inWashington DC for hard workand dedication to brain injurysurvivors in our community.Photo credit: Holly Gardner, LuftCreative

Gulf World Marine Park suc-cessfully released 16 sea turtlesat Money Bayou in Port St. Joeon March 1st. Two of the tur-tles are the Kemp’s Ridley tur-tles rescued from the PanamaCity Beach sand renourishmentproject and have fully recoveredfrom their minor trauma in thedredging tube. The other 14 aregreen sea turtles that were af-fected by the cold weather onFebruary 13th. The turtles havesuccessfully completed theirrehabilitation and have beentagged for their release.

After more than one year asBookIt.com’s Panama City BeachMarket Manager, Lee AnnLeonard continues to serve thetravel industry in a newly-cre-ated position at al.com (Al-abama’s largest website) as theNorthwest Florida Account Ex-ecutive. Prior to Bookit.com,Leonard acted as General Man-ager for By The Sea Resorts,Inc., a Panama City Beach hotelchain including five gulf-frontproperties and a restaurant, fornearly six years. Leonard grad-uated Cum Laude from AuburnUniversity earning a Bachelor ofArts degree in mass communi-cations.

The Naval Surface WarfareCenter Panama City Division(NSWC PCD) presented annualawards to employees recently,whose efforts demonstratedleadership and dedication aboveand beyond their respectivecalls of duty. Individualsawarded were Tom Cothern,Lanshava Booker, Roger Hawkins,Harold Suiter, Nicole Kidd,Robert Moore, Tracy Nye, andTed Clem.

Simon Property Group, Inc. ispleased to announce JosephCilia as Pier Park’s new GeneralManager. Cilia will manage allday-to-day operations, mainte-nance and the budget, as wellas tenant and community rela-tions. He will be responsible forthe security and marketing ofthe center. No stranger toSimon, Cilia previously served asthe General Manager of TownCenter at Boca Raton and Roo-sevelt Field Mall in Garden City,New York.

C/CMSgt Hunter Ward fromTyndall-Panama City CompositeSquadron in Group 1 received theaward for Phase Two Cadet ofthe Year out of over 800 othersin the Civil Air Patrol’s (CAP)Florida Wing, for his work overthe past year. Ward began hisservice in CAP over a year ago,rising quick through the ranks tobecome both a Cadet ChiefMaster Sergeant, and CadetCommander. He has also beenaccepted into CAP’s CadetHonor Society with distinction,having scored extremely high onthe Cadet Program achievementtests. The achievement tests as-sess a cadet’s knowledge ofboth leadership skills and aero-space science.


12001372_Magazine 4/3/12 7:23 AM Page 26

American Advertising Feder-ation-Panama City presented its2012 ADDY Awards for advertis-ing creative excellence in Febru-ary. This annual dinner andawards presentation was at-tended by professionals in thelocal advertising and media in-dustry. Entries were judgedbased on originality and creativestrategy. Cornerstone Market-ing and Advertising capturedtwo out of three Best of ShowAwards with Cyber Sytes, Inc.receiving the third. JudgesChoice Awards were given toKerigan Marketing Associatesand Cornerstone Marketing andAdvertising.Below is a complete list of 2012AAF ADDY Award Winners:ABT Websites – 1 SilverApplied Research Associates –4 SilverARINC – 2 SilverBay Bank – 1 SilverCornerstone Marketing & Advertising – 17 Gold, 18 SilverCyber Sytes – 15 Gold, 1 SilverDoral Bank – 1 SilverEric Schrotenboer – 2 GoldGulf Coast State College – 2Gold, 10 SilverJaclyn Kerigan – 1 Student SilverKerigan Marketing Associates –2 Gold, 12 SilverPanama City Beach Chamber –2 SilverUnited Way of NWFL – 2 SilverWJHG – 1 Silver

Gulf Coast State College wasawarded a $500,000 grantfrom the State of Florida toprovide training to biologyteachers in 13 NorthwestFlorida counties. The primarygoal of the NWFL TeacherPreparation Grant is to increaseboth content knowledge forhigh school biology teachersand their students. Other goalsare to provide high quality pro-fessional development that ad-dresses Florida’s NextGeneration Sunshine State Stan-dards as well as research-basedbest practices of teaching thecontent.

Captain Anderson’s Marina isproud to announce that theywere voted as Panama City Liv-ing Magazine’s - 2012 Bay ListWinner for best Fishing Charter.Readers chose them as one ofthe elite businesses in the BayCounty area. Captain Ander-son’s Marina has a new boat inthe fleet, the Capt. Anderson ,that is available for privatecharters of all types. Militarydiscounts and group rates areavailable. Visit www.captander-sonsmarina.com for more info.

Vascular Associates, LLC isexcited to announce the open-ing of a new office, located atBreakfast Point on Back Beachroad. Vascular Associates is

Life Management Centerwas one of only three organiza-tions recognized by the BlueCross and Blue Shield of Florida(BCBSF) Foundation as an hon-oree of the Sapphire Award at aceremony held on February 17,in Orlando. The award isFlorida’s only statewide honorthat recognizes organizationsthat have demonstrated excel-lence in addressing communityhealth care needs. It is pre-sented annually by the BCBSFFoundation, the philanthropicaffiliate of BCBSF.

Omar Howard, M.D. hasbeen appointed the Medical Di-rector for Life ManagementCenter of NWFL. Howard’s spe-cialty is in adult psychiatry. Heis a graduate of Xavier Universityof Louisiana, the MorehouseSchool of Medicine and com-pleted his residency at East Car-olina University. He joined LifeManagement Center in 2012,providing adult psychiatric care.As Medical Director, Howardwill provide leadership on allmedical and psychiatric servicesfor the center. He replaces out-going Medical Director, Dr. EdGibson, who recently retired.

committed to the diagnosis andtreatment of venous diseaseand also provides care for vari-cose and spider veins, as well asblood clots. Call 850.872.8510to schedule an appointment attheir new Breakfast Point locationor at their Panama City office.

Sports Events Media Grouphas named the Panama CityBeach CVB Sports Marketingwith its annual “Reader’s ChoiceAward of Excellence” for ex-hibiting professionalism, creativ-ity and dedication in the sportsevent planning industry. Aftermore than 3,000 votes, readerschose Panama City Beach CVBas representing one of themost sports-friendly destina-tions in the country. This marksthe 2nd time in the past threeyears that the Panama CityBeach CVB has been awardedthis honor.

The certified public account-ing firms of Warren, Averett,Kimbrough & Marino, LLC, Wil-son, Price, Barranco, Blankenship& Billingsley, P.C. and O’SullivanCreel, LLP have combined toform Warren Averett, LLC. Thecombined firm offers expandedreach and resources, additionalservice solutions and strength-ened depth of expertise, withthe same level of personalclient service. With more than550 team members and 12 of-fices spanning from the Ten-nessee Valley to the Gulf of


WARREN AVERETT, LLC

12001372_Magazine 4/3/12 7:24 AM Page 27


Mexico, Warren Averett, LLCwill rank among the top 35firms in the nation and withinthe top 5 largest southeasternfirms.

Members of the Rotary Clubof Panama City (Downtown Ro-tary) gathered at St. AndrewsBay Yacht Club to acknowledgethe club’s 75th anniversary.The club was admitted to Ro-tary Internatinal membershipon February 18, 1937. Its firstpresident was P.O. LeBlanc. Cur-rent officers are Robert Harned,President; Victoria Williams,President-Elect; Richard Mus-grave, Vice President; Bryan Tay-lor, Secretary; Dion Moniz,Treasurer; Tony Bennett, PastPresident. The club has 131members.

The Northwest Beaches In-ternational Airport launchedtheir redesigned website –www.iflybeaches.com. Thewebsite includes informationabout the airport authority andinformation for travelers includ-ing tracking flights, airlines,services, parking and groundtransportation, baggage, lodg-ing and about the area.

The Department of Childrenand Families has launched aninitiative to connect local busi-nesses with families, childrenand seniors in need of extrasupport. “Partners for Promise”encourages businesses of allsizes to share their time, tal-ents and resources with familiesin the community, focusing on“Five Promises for Florida” in theareas of academic success, fam-ily prosperity, healthy living,child safety and supportingseniors. Call Courtney Peel,DCF Community DevelopmentAdministrator, at (850) 872-7648 or for more info visitwww.partnersforpromise.com.

Courtney Peel was recentlyselected to lead the Depart-ment of Children and Families’strategic initiative to engagecommunities as the CommunityDevelopment Administrator forBay and surrounding counties.Peel, a Northwest Florida na-tive, earned a BS degree fromFlorida State University and hasmore than nine years of expe-rience in the field of child wel-fare. Peel will also lead DCF’s“Partners for Promise” initiative.

12001372_Magazine 4/3/12 12:12 PM Page 28

BEST PRACTICES FOR BUSINESSCompanies Profit When Employees Volunteer

Let’s face it, owning or running a business is challenging,especially in today’s tough economic market. Goals have to bemet, the company needs to stay relevant, and profits need to bemade. Not to mention the daily task of maintaining employeesatisfaction. All sized companies, big and small, face these dailyissues. However there is hope; some have found that instituting anEmployee Volunteer Program can help alleviate several of thesechallenges. An Employee Volunteer Program usually includesallowing employees to volunteer a certain amount of time, suchas a few hours a week to one day per month, while still gettingpaid. Don’t worry, it is not just another program to manage, staffand keep track of; the benefits are worth the investment. Plus it’seasy to do and can be customized to your individual business. Benefits to the Employee Research has shown that volunteering can help keep employees

healthy and less stressed. In one survey of more than 3,000volunteers, over 90 percent reported that regular volunteeringproduced feelings that alleviated stress-related symptoms. Otherhealth benefits reported included strengthened immunity and relieffrom certain chronic conditions. Volunteering also provides opportunities to network by giving

employees a chance to develop relationships with new businesscontacts. Benefits to the Employer Research from the Center for Work-Life Policy shows that

employees are seriously motivated by a desire to give back to theworld, and increasingly seek out employers that allow them toparticipate on company time. In return, an Employee VolunteerProgram will help develop happy and healthy employees, whichare a necessary element to a productive workforce.

written by Shannon Sheibe, Marketing & Communications Director – United Way of NWFL

Research has shown that employees who volunteer are morelikely to:

• Work harder and focus better on tasks• Speak positively about their employer in public• Enhance their skills including:• Verbal and written communication• Organizational and time management• People skills - caring, listening, negotiating• Planning, budgeting and allocation• Ability to create innovative approaches when responding todifficulties

• Increase their understanding of coworkers • Enrich their respect for diversity• Develop a heightened appreciation of the benefits providedby employers

• Grow their sense of community and social obligation• Affirmation of their personal capability and worth• Gain an increase in job satisfaction, morale and productivity

When employees volunteer, employers gain:• Increase in profit – many consumers will choose to spend theirmoney with organizations they see participating in the community.

• Community Awareness - let the public know your employeesare making a difference. Send a press release to the local media; it’s a great way to get people talking about your company.

• Ease in creating, recruiting and retaining a quality work force –quality employees crave the chance to be able to make a difference and look for employers who give them that opportunity.

How to Start an Employee Volunteer ProgramHere are some tips to help you get started. Remember, an

Employee Volunteer Program can be tailored to your specificcompany and does not have to contain all of the elements listed.However, volunteer programs in the workplace are most successfulwhen they are based on the priorities of the company, the interestsof the employees, and the needs of the community.


Volunteers help with Habitat for Humanity

12001372_Magazine 4/3/12 7:24 AM Page 29

Things to Consider• Be sure the company’s employee volunteer efforts are in

line with the company’s mission, vision, and policies as wellas contribute to the overall business goals. Employees willbe able to perpetuate the corporation's mission and goalsin the community.

• An employee volunteer program should encourage participation at all levels. However, there should be no consequences for not participating.

• A philanthropic spirit is contagious. When the CEO and/orleadership volunteer, employees are more likely to followsuit.

• Survey employees to determine their interests in working on specific issues.

• Evaluate community needs and consider how an EmployeeVolunteer Program can address those issues. Business leaders want others to know that their corporation is helping address real issues. An Employee Volunteer Programis an opportunity to communicate that message to thecommunity.

• Develop written corporate policies to support the program.Will the opportunity to do volunteer work exist during “company time?”

• Conduct regular evaluations of the impact of employee volunteer efforts on the community.

• Organizeing a group project, where a number of employeescan volunteer together; a good way to launch a volunteerprogram.

Bay County is one of the most giving communities; many localcompanies have already established an Employee VolunteerProgram and can attest to its benefits. Michael Menk, City Presidentfor Regions Bank says, “volunteering allows my employees to feelgood about what they do and is a way for them to give back tothe community they live in.” He is also a strong believer that anEmployee Volunteer Program attributes to the success of hisbusiness stating, “If we have confident, engaged employees, wewill succeed. If we don’t, we won’t succeed”.

This article lists many reasons why a business or corporationshould establish a volunteer program and why employees wouldbe motivated to participate. When done successfully, everyone canbenefit, as long as there are mutual goals set and a plan of actioncreated to offer benefits and recognition for all partners.


12001372_Magazine 4/3/12 12:13 PM Page 30

ECONOMIC PROFILE

The EDA focuses not only on attracting

businesses in our target industry

sectors to Bay County, but also assists

local companies with their expansion

needs. ITT Exelis, a local defense

contractor that develops and deploys

communications and electronic warfare

for the mine defense industry, has

begun construction on a 105,000

square foot building at The St. Joe

Company’s VentureCrossing Enterprise

Centre, adjacent to the Northwest

Florida Beaches International Airport.

Currently located in downtown Panama

City, ITT will grow its operation by 30

people, increasing the number of

employees to 120, at an average annual

wage of $49,500, exceeding 150

percent of Bay County’s average

annual wage. While this is the first

commercial development to be built in

the business park, St. Joe is also

constructing a 30,000 square foot flex

warehouse building in VentureCrossings

for manufacturing or light industrial

use.

INSIGHTSinside Bay County’s Economic Development Efforts

Bay County Population: 168,852 Median Age: 40Labor Force: 89,030 Average Wage: $32,626Households: 74,585 Household Income: $47,505Per Capita Income: $29,357de

mog

raph

ics

BAY COUNTY FLORIDA

{

bay county sales tax collections GROSS SALES TAXABLE SALES TAX COLLECTIONS Jan 12 $659,034,873 $230,585,928 $13,520,985 Dec 11 $375,291,019 $193,667,799 $12,282,498 Nov 11 $404,976,366 $207,381,798 $12,917,265

Jan 11 $500,773,392 $236,688,124 $13,723,581 Dec 10 $359,944,707 $193,900,172 $12,441,957 Nov 10 $404,279,870 $207,854,778 $12,954,447

current labor statistics for bay county LABOR FORCE EMPLOYED UNEMPLOYED UNEMPLOYED RATE

Feb 12 90,019 81,752 8,267 9.2% Jan 12 88,863 79,955 8,908 10.0% Dec 11 88,406 79,499 8,907 10.1%

Feb 11 91,002 82,469 8,533 9.4% Jan 11 89,525 80,323 9,202 10.3% Dec 10 89,100 79,041 10,059 11.3%

real estate salesEXISTING SINGLE FAMILY HOMES

REALTOR SALES MEDIAN PRICE REALTOR SALES MEDIUM PRICE

Feb 12 119 $125,000 14,270 $134,000 Jan 12 106 $131,500 12,044 $129,000 Dec 11 112 $146,200 15,290 $134,300 Feb 11 103 $157,700 13,701 $121,900 Jan 11 86 $150,000 12,151 $122,200 Dec 10 130 $138,900 15,550 $133,100

EXISTING CONDOMINIUMS

Feb 12 79 $160,000 7,545 $95,000 Jan 12 67 $180,000 5,936 $95,000 Dec 11 71 $203,800 6,836 $91,900 Feb 11 54 $175,000 6,984 $77,300 Jan 11 66 $150,900 6,681 $79,400 Dec 10 84 $165,000 5,675 $83,400

bay county building permits RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL Feb 12 15 5 Jan 12 21 2 Dec 11 8 4 Feb 11 8 3 Jan 11 10 4 Dec 10 9 5


12001372_Magazine 4/3/12 7:24 AM Page 31

The EDA also recently announced its

2012 officers as well as the

establishment of the EDA as a newly

formed organization. The EDA’s new

leadership is as follows: Chair – Joey

Ginn, Vision Bank; Chair-Elect/Vice-

Chair – Allan Bense, GAC Contractors;

Secretary – John Ed McDanal, Gulf

Power Company; Treasurer – John

Juchniewicz, Carr, Riggs & Ingram; and

Past Chair – Glen McDonald, Applied

Research Associates.

The EDA board of directors and Bay

County Chamber board of directors

approved a set of new bylaws forming

the EDA as a separate organization. The

bylaws include the formation of four

investment categories and funding

levels and the establishment of a 16-

member executive committee.

Most people will not notice a change

in the way the EDA does business as

the organization’s purpose and mission

will remain unchanged. The new

structure will allow the EDA to better

serve the community and all of its

investors.

APRIL - JANUARY 2012

bay county bed tax collections PANAMA CITY BEACH MEXICO BEACH Jan 12 $369,003.19 $15,161.55 Jan 11 $306,667.93 $10,895.56 % Change 20.33% 39.15%

Dec 11 $275,370.55 $10,015.02 Dec 10 $247,747.78 $9,079.10 % Change 11.15% 10.31%

Nov 11 $326,711.91 $9,914.34 Nov 10 $284,476.90 $11,790.08 % Change 14.85% 15.91%

northwest florida beaches international airport passenger traffic TOTAL PASSENGERS COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS Jan 12 49,909 1,170 Dec 11 56,912 1,148 Nov 11 66,981 1,148 Jan 11 53,539 1,384 Dec 10 60,186 1,453 Nov 10 65,155 1,459


National, state & local unemployment rate - January 1990 - February 2012

12001372_Magazine 4/3/12 7:24 AM Page 32

Newf o r D e c e m b e r - F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 2

{231 Tattoos2411 N. Hwy 231Panama City, FL 32405(850) 527-0798

3G Broadcasting Hitz 10635 Island Dr.Eastpoint, FL 32328(401) 742-5866

3G Broadcasting inc OysterRadio35 Island Dr.Eastpoint, FL 32328(401) 742-5866

Al.comPO Box 18133Panama City Beach, FL 32417(850) 630-1061

Auto Brokers of America512 W. 23rd St.Panama City, FL 32405(850) 481-1479

Benjamin F. Edwards & Co.2585 Huntcliff LanePanama City, FL 32405(850) 769-7053

Bill Byrd KIA2435 E. 15th St.Panama City, FL 32405(850) 872-0444

Claims Strategies Group509 Harrison Ave., Ste. 202Panama City, FL 32401(850) 215-5663

Coastal Emergency RestorationTeam4129 Northshore Rd.Lynn Haven, FL 32444(850) 215-6475

Coastal Small Engine1601 B Tennessee Ave.Lynn Haven, FL 32444(850) 691-5393

Coastal Small Engine & BoatRepair4132 E. 15th St.Panama City, FL 32404(850) 640-0843

Dick's Last Resort16210 Front Beach Rd.Panama City Beach, FL 32413(850) 588-0631

Double Eagle Support Services630 Mills LanePanama City, FL 32404(850) 625-6817

DTG Printing2907 W Highway 98Panama City, FL 32401(850) 763-3915

Dunkin Donuts (Callaway)712 N Tyndall PkwyCallaway, FL 32404(850) 230-4443

Emerald HR Solutions, Inc.PO Box 36134Panama City, FL 32402(850) 785-5634

Fast Cab of Bay County2529 Joan Ave.Panama City, FL 32408(850) 233-8299

Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing1604 Calhoun Ave.Panama City, FL 32405(850) 596-7503

Golden Corral105 E. 23rd St.Panama City, FL 32405(850) 872-9090

Goldsmith Jewelry302 W. 23rd St., Ste. BPanama City, FL 32405(850) 615-3513

Lighting By Lavonne3631 Hwy 231Panama City, FL 32404(850) 872-1232

MaceTech Security Solutions,Inc.2404 A Ruth Hentz Ave.Panama City, FL 32405(850) 215-4641

Murphy USA2107 State Hwy 77Lynn Haven, FL 32444(850) 271-8472

New York Life Insurance Company9133 Sunshine Dr.Youngstown, FL 32466(850) 753-3080

Panama City Smiles1022 Harrison Ave.Panama City, FL 32401(850) 763-8788

Panama Commons1001 Sherman Ave.Panama City, FL 32401(850) 215-8966

Panhandle Security6126 Imperial Dr.Panama City, FL 32404(850) 348-0301

Quick Stop Tires4800 W. Highway 98Panama City, FL 32405(850) 640-0834

Ray Dubuque3001 Kings Harbour Rd.Panama City, FL 32405(850) 747-9200

Rebecca Knowles Photography1106 Ohio Ave., Ste 4Lynn Haven, FL 32444(850) 624-9421

Red Elephant Pizza & Grill2499 Highway 77Panama City, FL 32405(850) 763-7492

Research & Engineering Development1216 Wildridge Rd.Lynn Haven, FL 32444(850) 896-8557

Southwest Ideal SolutionsPO Box 19321Panama City Beach, FL 32417(850) 588-8432

Sugar Boogers556 Harrison Ave.Panama City, FL 32401(850) 640-0790

Sunbelt Credit1607 Lisenby Ave., Ste EPanama City, FL 32405(850) 763-8300

Sunshine Piping, Inc.6513 Bayline Dr.Panama City, FL 32404(850) 763-4834

That Place On 11th Street2602 W. 11th St.Panama City, FL 32401(850) 872-0601

Tom's Hot Dogs104 Thomas Dr.Panama City Beach, FL 32408(850) 249-5555

Tom's Hot Dogs555 Harrison Ave.Panama City, FL 32401(850) 769-8890

Members.


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Onyx - 5 YearsAccents Home Decor and Gifts, LLCAmedisys Home HealthBig Bend Community Based CareCPH Engineers, Inc.David Weekley HomesDowgul & Hatcher, P.A.Glen Cove Nursing PavilionGulf Coast Dermatology P.A.La Quinta Inn & SuitesRoussos Air Conditioning

Ruby - 10 YearsDream GownsFirst United Methodist ChurchHome Instead Senior CareKerrigan and Merritt, LLCPanama City ToyotaSunglass World of NW FL. Inc

Opal - 15 YearsAdvanced Sign Solutions Inc.Capt. Tom Corley and Son Marine SurveyorsFlorida LinenHarrison Dental AssociatesSussex-Bay Foundation

Emerald - 20 YearsARINC, INC.Mar-K Towing, Inc.Troy University-Florida Region

Silver - 25 YearsAnchorage Children's HomeEntera, Inc.Nichols & AssociatesSt. Joe CompanyWJHG News Channel 7Wal-Mart # 1032

Pearl - 30 YearsL-3 Communications

Topaz - 35 YearsERA Neubauer Real Estate, Inc.Manpower Inc.Merrick Industries, Inc.

Jade - 40 YearsNervig Travel Service/American Express

Crystal - 55 YearsEngineering & Equipment

Recognizing renewing members fortheir dedication at 5 year intervalsfor November 2011 - February 2012

MemberAnniversaries

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First FridayNetworking: 7:30 a.m. / Program: 8:00 a.m.FSU-PC Holley Center (4750 Collegiate Dr.)Sponsored by: Bay Medical CenterProgram: Junior Leadership Bay and Leadership Bay project presentationsFree event for Bay County Chamber invited guests &members New Member 411 BreakfastNew Member 411 BreakfastChamber Boardroom (235 W. 5th St.)8:30 – 9:30 a.m.Sponsorship opportunity availableFree for new members or those new to a members organizationRSVP to [email protected] or 215.3753

Free Business SeminarFree Business Seminar8:30 a.m.Chamber Boardroom (235 W. 5th St.)Program: TBDRSVP to [email protected] or 215.3761

Bay Young Professionals Luncheon11:45 am - 1:00 pmLocation: TBDProgram: “Secrets of the Executive” - David Southall, CEO - Innovations Federal Credit UnionSponsoredby: Innovations Federal Credit UnionNo cost for BYP Members, Future Members $15RSVP by June 18 to [email protected] or 215.3761

Calendar Bay County Chamber of Commerce Events{

New Member 411 Breakfast Chamber Boardroom (235 W. 5th St.) 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Sponsored by: Firehouse Subs Free for new members or those new to a members organization RSVP to [email protected] or 215.3753

First Friday FSU-PC Holley Center (4750 Collegiate Dr.) Networking: 7:30 a.m. / Program: 8:00 a.m. Sponsored by: Covenant Hospice Program: Meet the Candidates Free event for Bay County Chamber and PCB Chamber invited guests and members

“Good Communication in Business” Seminar Presented by Jack Kerigan, Kerigan Marketing Associates Breakfast & Networking: 7:30 a.m. / Program: 8:00 a.m. Holiday Inn Select (2001 MLK Blvd.) $13 members / $15 future members Must RSVP by April 9th to [email protected] or 215.3761. Cancellations after April 9th will be invoiced. Board of Directors - Business After Hours - Block Party Business After Hours – Block Party Chamber Office (235 W. 5th St.) 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Sponsored by: the Bay County Chamber Board of Directors Contact [email protected] for more info

How to Use Customer Service to Turn Transactions into Relationships Presented by Dave Balmer, Dale Carnegie 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Chamber Boardroom (235 W. 5th St.) $100 members / $125 future members RSVP to [email protected] or 215.3761

May

3

6

11

First FridayNetworking: 7:30 a.m. / Program: 8:00 a.m.FSU-PC Holley Center (4750 Collegiate Dr.)Sponsored by: Pier Park Simon Malls & Bookit.comProgram: Tourism Update from Dan Rowe, PCB-TDCWear your most creative tourist attire for prizes!Free for Bay County Chamber invited guests & members

Bay Young Professionals SocialTime: 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.Place: Shores of Panama (9900 S. Thomas Dr.)Sponsored by: Oaseas ResortsNo Cost, RSVP to [email protected] or215.3761

10

18

31

June

3

April

For a detailed listing of Chamber and community events visit

www.panamacity.orgDates, times and locations subject to change.

1

16th Annual Spring Classic Golf TournamentBay Point’s Nicklaus CourseLunch & Registration: 11:00 a.m. / Shotgun start: NoonSponsored by: Pier Park - Simon Properties, Bookit.com,TECO, Gulf Power and KnologyContact [email protected] or 215. 3757 for info

“Employment Law Seminar”“Employment Law Seminar”Presented by Rob Jackson-Harrison, Sale, McCloy 8:00 a.m. – NoonChamber Boardroom (235 W. 5th St.)$50 members / $75 future membersRSVP to [email protected] or 215.3761

Jungleball Volleyball Tournament/Business After Hours4:00 – 7:00 p.m.BookIt.com Beach in Pier Park Sponsored by: Pier Park - Simon Properties & Bookit.com Contact [email protected] or 215.3753 for info

5

19


15

13

27

20

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12001372_Magazine 4/3/12 7:24 AM Page 38

out&about

1.

5.

1. Tem Fontaine, Rick Youngblood, LarryCarroll, Raymond Powell & Henry Hazard at March First Friday

2. David Powell & Al McCambry atMAC hosted reception for Cobb County Chamber Honarary Commanders Association

3. Joe Chavarria & Teresa King at theFebruary BYP Social at Bonefish Grill

4. Oaseas Resorts Team at MarchFirst Friday

5. Junior Leadership Bay Mock TrialSession

out&about

2012

3.

4.

2.


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bay biz magazine - april-june 2012

Documents

catering team

bay county chamber ofcommerce

express catering

ess exprering ffering

chamber member

panama city

c o moffw

r e s o rt c o