A

fter the rave reviews of last year’s 50th 

Anniversary Gala, Destin Area Chamber of 

Commerce held their 51st Annual Awards and 

Installation Banquet on December 14, at the 

Henderson Resort in Destin. This year’s event, presented 

by Fort Walton Beach Medical Center and Twin Cities 

Hospital, kept the same format as last year’s event merging 

the awards ceremony and the holiday party. Sponsors 

included Destin Commons, Cox Communications, Uniti 

Fiber, Harrison Sale McCloy, and Insurance Claims 911. 

The black-tie optional party included live entertainment 

by local band Deja Vu. Guests enjoyed buffet style holiday 

and cocktail edibles prepared by The Henderson. 

The awards ceremony honored several individuals who 

offer their time, energy, and support to the community. The 

individuals honored this year were: 

Retired Military Person of the Year - CMSgt. Brooke P. 

McLean, USAF, Ret., Air Force Enlisted Village 

Paul Woolman Ambassador of the Year - Skip 

Overdier, American Legion Post 296

Ann Gibson Community Service Award - Dion 

Moniz, Harrison Sale McCloy

Business Person of the Year - Bob Perry, Destin 

Commons 

James D. Neilson Sr. Chairman’s Award for 

Volunteer Service - Trisha Marks, Simple HR

photos & story by

 Zhalman Harris

Hanes & Olivia Black

Mindy & Dion Moniz

Dale Peterson, Mel Ponder, Bill Head, Michelle Terry & Fred Fenn

Leslie Moland & Irina Smith

Tiffi ny & Ted Cochran

   VIP Destin at The Henderson Beach Resort

18     |    VIPDestinMagazine.com

Destin Chamber

Holiday Party & Awards Gala

Presented by 

Fort Walton Beach Medical Center

and Twin Cities Hospital

18-20 Event 51st Anniversary Gala & Awards Ceremony .indd   1

12/27/17   8:48 AM