VIP Destin at First Baptist Church

February 2019   |   63

O

n January 4, the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber 
of Commerce held their annual Installation and Awards 
Breakfast. The Vensure Employer Services sponsored 
event was held at the First Baptist Church in Fort Walton 

Beach, where Chamber members gathered to bid Nick Chubb, the 2018 
chair, goodbye and to welcome their new board members and chair 
for 2019, Mike Turpin of Bank of England.  After issuing the year-end 
awards, 2018 Chair of the Chamber Board Nick Chubb of Cabinets 
RUs passed the gavel to Matt Turpin. During the festivities, Matt 
Turpin introduced his 2019 leadership team, consisting of Executive 
Board members Vince Mayfi eld of Bit-Wizards (2020 Chair-Elect), 
Bill Roberts of Barnes Insurance and Financial Services (Immediate 
Past Chair), Stephen Perkins of Warren Averett (Treasurer). The 

remaining Executive Committee members are: Heather Ruiz (Destin 
Commons), Mark Hamrick (Center Line Associates), Jason Floyd 
(JDF Architecture), Steve Baxter (Steve Baxter Insurance), and Oxana 
Solovieva (OxanaSol Commercial RealEstate).

Emerald Coast Harley-Davidson was selected as the 2018 Business 

of The Year for their generous donations valued over $100,000 to 
charitable events throughout area, the small Business award went to 
“Painting With a Twist,” owned by David Presnell and Barbara Dean, 
while The Hugh Kendall Community Impact Award, was given to an 
outstanding community volunteer, Wanda Stapleton. Bernita Everett 
of First City Bank was selected as Jim Glenn Ambassador of the Year, 
and Stephen Smith of The Petermann Agency was honored as the Mert 
Wagner Volunteer of Year. 

Installation and Awards 

Breakfast

photos & story by

 

Zhalman Harris

Melissa Forte, Neko Stubblefi eld & Gail Waller

Oxana Solovieva & Bill Roberts

Donna Tashik & Kim Cox

Camille Webster & Debbie Dodge

Amanda Sprosty, Bernita Everett & Dayn Stinebiser

63-64 - Event Installation And Awards/ECCR & VIP HOUSE.indd   1

1/28/19   4:55 PM