What is your profession and give a brief description of what 

you do. 

I own a charter service called Destin Charter Service and I am 

chairman of the Destin Seafood Festival. My husband Casey and I 

also own the Big Red Truck; a popular food truck in the area.
After 15 years on the Destin Harbor learning about the heritage 

of the charter fi shing fl eet and the Harbor families and businesses, 

the natural progression was participating in community events 

wherever I could: fi shing tournaments, fundraisers, festivals, etc. 

I started volunteering for the Destin Seafood Festival years ago 

because I love how it brings everyone together. After 3 years 

as the chairman of the festival it’s still that same comradery 

that keeps me fi red up. It’s a challenging task but to see the 

community come together year after year to protect such a 

tradition is a beautiful thing. I am honored to be a part of it.

What would people be most surprised to know about you?

I am an introvert!

What one activity makes you lose track of time?

Sunday drives with my husband.

What is the best advice you ever received?

Often times, you have no control over the circumstances. You only 

have control over your perception and reaction. Don’t let “it” get 

you twice.

What advice would you give to someone just moving to 

Destin?

So many people arrive thinking they will bring, add, improve, 

contribute, etc; all of which are noble intentions. I learned that 

Destin is perfect as it is. I decided to wait and learn to contribute 

where Destin thought I would best serve Destin.

What was your very fi rst job?

Bagged groceries at 14 then I was transferred to the fl oral 

department. The manager thought I was older than my years and 

treated me accordingly; I learned quickly. Those are some great 

memories.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Taking a break from my phone. A couple of times a year I will take 

a vacation or a “break” just from my phone.

What was your last Google search?

I am addicted to Google and I search everything! “It’s worth a 

Google” is what we say in my house. My last search was about 

puppies; pretty sure we will have some in November.

What motto do you live by?

“Do what you feel in your heart to be right- for you’ll be criticized 

anyway.”  -Eleanor Roosevelt

Who is the most infl uential person in your life?

I have had the privilege to have strong, 

independent business women as friends 

and mentors; Gina Lipscomb, Mary 

Anne Windes and Marti Carpenter, all 

are amazing, accomplished women. 

Overall I credit my mother, Jeanne 

Reese, and grandmother, Mary 

Thompson. Both are strong women that 

have made me who I am.

Jami Jones

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