I AM DESTIN - Mary Anne Windes
What is your hometown, what brought you
to the Emerald Coast and how long have you
been here?
Fort Walton Beach is my hometown, but we used
to call it “Home of the Sonic Boom” back then. My
parents moved to FWB in the 50’s, and I grew up on
Memorial Parkway in the house that my mom still
owns. After college, I was working in Destin in the
early 1980’s for Frank & Mary Starnes King. Gail
Grimes (Starling) and I did the accounting for their
multiple businesses, and Capt. Kelly Windes used
to sell his fi sh to them for one of their restaurants,
Pier 98. That’s how we met and how I came to live
in Destin and be married to one of the most famous
fi shermen in The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.
Grand total, I’ve lived on the Emerald Coast for 56
years.
What is your profession?
I’m the broker and owner of Real Estate Professionals
of Destin, Inc., among other things. Capt. Kelly
and I have quite a few business interests, but I think
I’m best known as a real estate broker…or Capt.
Kelly’s wife…or Trey & Missy’s mom. I work both
commercial and residential deals mostly for people
that I already know. When I was growing up, one of
my friends’ dads who I admired the most was local
real estate legend, John W. Brooks. He was everything
I wanted to be when I grew up except, of course, I
would do so in the female version..
What do you like best about Destin?
Well, I remember when we didn’t have much besides
the beach and fi shing, and we had to go to FWB for
groceries, supplies, dinner, or a movie. Now, we have
it all – shopping, beaches, restaurants, fi shing, golf,
movies, etc.; just about anything you can imagine, we
have it, and “having it all” is what I like the best about
Destin.
Three words that best describe you.
Similar to “location, location, location” in real estate,
I’m happy, happy, happy!!!
Favorite Things you like about Destin.
Eating fresh fi sh, hanging out with happy people,
location - everything I love is within one square
mile, watching dolphins or boats or F-35’s, fresh air,
conservative Christian city, and when I have time,
I love the phenomenal shopping opportunities and
gorgeous sugar-white beaches.
Finish this statement, I AM DESTIN because…
I live here, I work here, my people are here, and I will
die here. I have put my heart into this City and many
of its causes. It brings me great joy to advocate for the
best that Destin has to offer for everyone – not just a
few – because I AM DESTIN!!!!
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