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January-March 2013 Bay Biz

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Page 1: January-March 2013 Bay Biz
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January 2013

148 POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE: Meet Your Re-Elected Government Officials

12 EDUCATION: FSU PC’s Early Childhood Autism Program: A Hidden Jewel in Bay County

14 FEATURE: World’s First Jet Flight Powered By 100% JP8 Biofuel Produced by Local Firm

16 Bay Young Professionals to Know

18 TRENDS: Look Who Ruined Casual Friday

January - March 2013 | BAY BIZ 3

1812

2220 ECONOMIC PROFILE: EDA Insights

22 Celebrating 100 years: The First 25 Years of the Chamber

24 THE BIZ LIST

28 Workforce Connection

30 NEW MEMBERS

31 MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

33 OUT & ABOUT

34 CHAMBER EVENTS CALENDAR

What’s Inside

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Bay Biz Magazinec/o Bay County Chamber of Commerce

235 W. 5th Street – P.O. Box 1850Panama City, FL 32402

[email protected]

Online: www.panamacity.orgfacebook.com/baychamberfltwitter.com/baychamberfl

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. Box 1850, Panama City, FL 32402 or

email [email protected] Bay Biz welcomes story ideas from its readers. Email to [email protected]. Each Chamber Member receives one

copy. To request additional copies please [email protected] or call 850.215.3755.

PUBLISHERCarol Roberts

EXECUTIVE EDITORBrittany Cole

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

DESIGNBellhouse Publishing

COVER

World’s first jet flight powered by

100% JP8 biofuel produced by local firm

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERSBrittany Cole, Elizabeth Smith, Applied Research Associates,

National Research Council Canada, Dr. Amy Polick

Carol Roberts

Chelsea Hamati

Dr. Amy Polick

Jody Walls

4 BAY BIZ | January - March 2013

Rich Musgrave

Alisa Kinsaul

Jennifer Conoley

Maria Goodwin

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It’s time to celebrate the Bay County Chamber of Commerce’s

100th Anniversary. We are excited about a full year of events

that will take us all down memory lane. We will roll out our

plans for the year at the Chamber’s Annual Dinner scheduled for

January 25th. If you haven’t responded, please plan to join us.

I can’t help but to pause and thank each and every one of our

members for allowing me to serve as your President. It has been

an honor and a privilege to work for so many incredible people.

Our Board of Directors and our Chair of the Board each year is

what drives our organization to stay fresh. I have lots of

wonderful memories, as this year I will celebrate 36 years with

the Chamber. Every year is a learning experience and I learn from

each Chairperson, board member and Chamber member that I

work with. Some question, ‘how on earth a person can stay in a

position for that many years and not become stale?’ I always

respond that if a Chamber Exec gets in a rut, there is something

bad wrong. In this job, every day is different and you never know

what challenges and opportunities are going to come your way.

Obviously I’ve grown up with the Chamber as I was 20 years

old in 1977 when I walked through the doors for the first time.

It’s played a huge role in my life. I’ve met and continue to meet

so many wonderful people that are passionate about giving back

to the community that provides an incredible life for us all. I can’t

begin to touch on the number of dignitaries I’ve met from U.S.

Presidents, top ranking military officials to movie stars. It’s been

an incredible journey. This is beginning to sound like a farewell

speech so I had better change directions, because I’m not quite

ready to hang up my keys.

Of course I can’t begin to thank the many staff members over

the years and our current staff for all they do to make Bay

County a great place. Many have come and gone and still

continue to communicate with us as the Chamber has had a

tremendous influence on their lives.

I would like to acknowledge my husband, Leo, daughter, Kelly,

and my two granddaughters, Katelyn and Ashlyn, for being

understanding and supportive of my career and the number of

family events I have missed out on due to night time, out of town

meetings and trips. Thank you all for supporting Grammy!

You will notice a common theme with all of our publications

this year with a poster of all of our past chairpersons. We wanted

to honor them for giving of their time not only to the chamber

but the community at large. Our relocation guide, membership

plaque and Guide to Membership Opportunities will feature the

same poster and new 100th Anniversary logo. A special thank you

goes to Rodney Walker at Applied Research Associates (ARA) for

giving of his time and talent to design the logo.

Lastly, I would like to congratulate our 2013 Chairman of the

Board, Bill Fenimore, as Al McCambry will pass the gavel to him

at the Chamber’s Annual Dinner. Bill and our team have some

wonderful plans in place to recognize our 100th. Please plan to

join us throughout the year at our many festivities and let’s

continue to make Bay County a great place to call home.

President and CEO

President’s Message

6 BAY BIZ | January - March 2013

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10 BAY BIZ | January - March 2013

Political Profile: elections are overm e e t y o u r r e-e l e c t e d g o v e r n m e n t o f f i c i a l s

United States Senate: Bill Nelson (Democrat)Senator Bill Nelson has represented Florida in the United States’

Congress since 1973 and has been a senator since 2000. Nelson

ran on the platform of amending the Affordable Care Act, reducing

the federal deficit by cutting federal spending and simplifying the

tax code, and preserving Medicare and Social Security. In his time

in office, he has represented Florida in preserving a robust space

program, keeping oil drilling from the Gulf of Mexico, and bringing

jobs to Florida through supporting large-scale projects such as 72

million invested in North Florida Beaches International Airport and

a federal loan to Eastern Shipbuilding in Bay County.

United States House of Representatives District 2: Steve Southerland(Republican)

Since winning his first election in 2010, Representative Steve

Southerland has been a primary sponsor of the Restore Act and

has advocated for the empowerment of job creators and reduced

government regulation to get Florida’s economy back on track.

This last election, Southerland ran on the platform of lowering

taxes, scaling back government spending and the size of

government and replacing the Affordable Care Act with policies

that expand coverage without significantly increasing taxes. He has

pledged to preserve the Medicare and Social Security commitment

to Florida’s seniors while making sure the program continues long-

term.

Florida Senate District 1: Don Gaetz (Republican)Don Gaetz has been a member of the Florida Senate since 2007

and has been elected President of the Senate. He has been a large

proponent for job-creating projects and STEM education in Bay

County and was involved in providing funds to the Science and

Discovery Center of Northwest Florida and Gulf Coast State

College. Gaetz is currently working on several pieces of legislation

to reduce government agency regulation, consolidate

administrative services, and increase transparency between elected

officials and constituents.

Florida House of Representatives District 5: Marti Coley (Republican)Representative Coley has represented her district since 2005.

A former high school and college teacher, she is a major proponent

of education and has served on the PreK-12 Appropriations

Subcommittee, the Education Committee and the K-20

Competitiveness Subcommittee. Coley has pledged to make Florida

affordable again through steady economic growth; she campaigned

on providing economic incentives to bring in high-paying jobs,

improving the school system and preserving the environment.

County Commissioner District 1: Mike Nelson (Republican)Mike Nelson has served as County Commissioner between 1988

and 1992 and since 2004, bringing in over 20 years of local

government experience to the position. Nelson ran unopposed in

June and is concerned with re-examining the budget, emphasizing

fiscal responsibility and encouraging the increase in property values.

County Commissioner District 3: Bill Dozier (Republican)January 2013 will begin Bill Dozier’s 3rd term on the County

Commission, where he has pledged to push for more job growth

through free market policies. In addition, Dozier is a proponent of

reopening the Old Pass and obtaining funding for county roadways.

County Commission District 5: Mike Thomas (Republican)Mike Thomas has represented District 5 since 2005. His goals

for this term include promoting job creation through working

closely with the Economic Development Alliance of Bay County,

securing Restore Act funds to be distributed to Bay County and

finding an environmental solution to Bay County’s dying oyster

beds.

Superintendent: Bill Husfelt (Republican)Bill Husfelt ran for superintendent on a campaign focused

around utilizing funding towards the classroom and students’

future. He is an advocate of fiscal responsibility and teacher

assessment to bring up the quality of Bay County’s education

system.

written by Chelsea Hamati

November’s General Election did not only Re-Elect President Obama, but affirmed another term for many of ourcounty’s incumbents. Here are some of the candidates in Florida and Bay County that won back their seats, andwhat they have pledged to do in office this term:

Thank you to our elected officials for all the work they put in tohelping Bay County!

Other Elected Officials for 2013

Peggy Brannon (Dem)…….Bay County Tax Collector

Dan Sowell (Rep)……………Bay County Property Appraiser

Jerry Register………………..Bay County School Board District 1

Ryan Neves……………………Bay County School Board District 4

Mark Andersen (Rep)………Bay County Supervisor of Elections

Glenn Hess (Rep)……………..14th Judicial Circuit State Attorney

Herman Laramore (Dem)…Bay County Public Defender

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12 BAY BIZ | January - March 2013

When parents have concerns about their child’s development

or their child receives a diagnosis of autism, they can easily feel

scared, worried and confused about which step to take next.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are lifelong disorders that are

more common today than in previous years. Recent estimates re-

ported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2012)

suggest that one in every 88 children in the United States is diag-

nosed with ASD, making this a very real issue that families may

face.

While these numbers appear alarming, there is hope for families

in Bay County. It is now widely acknowledged that Applied Be-

havior Analysis (ABA) is the treatment of choice for children with

ASD and residents of Bay County and surrounding areas can access

these ABA services (which are difficult to find in other cities)

through the FSU Early Childhood Autism Program (ECAP) housed

at FSU Panama City.

Established in 2001, ECAP is a non-profit (501(c)3), early inter-

vention and community outreach program that provides individu-

alized ABA therapy to children with developmental disabilities,

including ASD, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and Intellectual

Disabilities. The primary mission of ECAP is to provide effective ABA

services to children in the local community. These services include

several important treatment components that are individualized

per child in order to produce the greatest learning, and they include

personalized treatment goals, direct one-on-one teaching, func-

tional analyses of problem behaviors and ongoing data collection

to evaluate treatment effects. Overall, ECAP’s ABA services have

helped hundreds of local children learn countless communicative,

social, play, cognitive, academic and self-help skills over the past

11 years.

Since its inception, ECAP has provided these services to children

in their homes, which allows therapists to provide extra teaching

FSU Early Childhood Autism Program: A Hidden Jewel in Bay Countyeducation:

written by Dr. Amy Polick, Program Director, FSU ECAP, Florida State University Panama City

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January - March 2013 | BAY BIZ 13

and learning opportunities to children outside of normal school

hours, as well as directly train parents on their child’s treatment

programs so they can also play an integral part in the therapeutic

process. Recently, ECAP opened an autism clinic at the FSU Panama

City campus to be able to provide further options for therapy,

which now makes ECAP the only autism program in the Panhandle

that provides in-home and in-clinic ABA services.

The Camille Butchikas ECAP Clinic opened in August 2012 and

is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to enhance therapy

and provide a quiet, controlled environment for learning. The clinic

was made possible by the generosity of the George A. Butchikas

Autism Foundation, whose donations to ECAP over the past 11

years have totaled more than $330, 000. This funding has not

only assisted ECAP in opening the on-campus autism clinic, but has

also been used to provide annual scholarships to families in Bay

County in need of financial assistance in paying for their child’s

autism therapy.

A secondary mission of ECAP is to provide excellent clinical

training to graduate students enrolled in the ABA Master’s Degree

Program at FSU who are studying to be effective behavior analysts.

These students apply to the Master’s Program from all over the

world and travel specifically to Panama City to gain this autism

training, making FSU and Bay County a hub for education regarding

treatment of ASD and for innovative autism research being con-

ducted at ECAP. Additionally, ECAP provides supports for the local

autism community via workshops, trainings and community

fundraisers, one of which is an annual “Auction for Autism Aware-

ness” each April (Autism Awareness Month).

Not many people know that ECAP is here in Bay County. Even

fewer know how hard the program’s directors and therapists work

toward helping children overcome autism. Most importantly, these

individuals do this all in an effort to really make a difference in the

lives of children and families affected by autism…and when those

differences are made, the pay offs are greater than explanation

allows. That is why ECAP works so hard at what they do, and why

this program is a hidden jewel in Bay County.

For more information about ECAP contact the Clinical Director

Rachel Wagner at 850.770.2272 or [email protected] or Dr. Amy

Polick, Program Director at 850.770.2252 or [email protected].

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14 BAY BIZ | January - March 2013

October 29th, 2012 will go down in history as the first time a

civilian jet was powered by 100% renewable biofuel, and a local

science firm is one of the pioneers. Applied Research Associates

(ARA), an engineering and science firm with offices in downtown

Panama City, partnered with Chevron Lummus Global (CLG) last

year on the Biofuels ISOCONVERSION process, a process that

utilizes ARA’s and CLG’s combined technologies. ARA’s part of the

process, Catalytic Hydrothermolysis, was invented by scientists in

the ARA Panama City office. To produce the ReadiJet® fuel for

the historic flight, ARA’s staff converted 1,200 gallons of Carinata

oil into crude oil utilizing their 125 gallon per day pilot system in

downtown Panama City. The crude was subsequently hydrotreated

and fractionated at Chevron’s Richmond, California refinery into

the finished fuels. “Our passionate scientists have shown the

world that their creativity and innovation will lead the way to cost

competitive, 100% alternative fuels in the near future,” stated

Chuck Red, ARA’s Alternative Fuels Program Lead.

The Falcon 20 jet test flight has generated international media

interest, from the Discovery Channel to major news outlets and

Popular Science. When a reporter posed the question, “What has

been the biggest challenge regarding your process?”; Red’s answer

was thought provoking, “To overcome disbelief that a simple

process can produce fuels that are indistinguishable from their

petroleum counterparts.” ARA’s patented CH process, while ground

breaking, simply uses high-temperature, high-pressure and water to

accomplish the conversion reactions. As a matter of fact, the

process converts any renewable oil/lipid feedstock to crude oil in

as little as 30 seconds.

ARA and CLG partnered with the National Research Council of

Canada (NRC), the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), and

Agrisoma Biosciences, Inc. Green Aviation R&D Initiative and Air

Transport Canada on the historic flight. The biofuel was produced

by ARA, under contract to AFRL, from Agrisoma’s Resonance™

Carinata feedstock crop using CLG’s and ARA’s breakthrough

process.

Agrisoma’s Resonance™ crop is a member of the mustard

family. Carinata holds a lot of promise because it is an industrial

oil crop that cannot be used in food or food preparation. It can

also grow on semi-arid cropland so that it does not compete with

food crops. "Agrisoma is proud to be a part of this landmark work.

To date, all powered flights have relied on fossil fuel. This flight

changes everything – we have witnessed petroleum free aviation,"

said Steven Fabijanski, President and CEO of Agrisoma Biosciences,

who was present on the tarmac during the flight. Agrisoma

planted 6,800 acres of Carinata in 2012, which will yield almost

700,000 gallons of oil. They plan to scale up the production of

Carinata to between 125,000 and 250,000 acres by next summer.

The crop is also being field tested in winter trials in Florida and the

southeastern United States.

Prior to the test flight, NRC completed ground testing of the

fuel with a GE 700 engine in a test cell, and performed a ground

turn and taxi in the Falcon 20. During the flight, the Falcon 20 flew

on ReadiJet® in both engines as it flew over the sky of Canada’s

capital. A second aircraft, a T-33, tailed the Falcon in flight and

collected valuable airborne emissions data. Several engineers were

on board, monitoring the engines' performance, making a round trip

Readjet® Alternative FuelTakes Flight

World’s first jet flight powered by 100%JP8 biofuel produced by local firmwritten by Alisa Kinsaul

Page 15: January-March 2013 Bay Biz

from Ottowa to Montreal and back in 90 minutes. Experts at NRC

are analyzing this information to better understand the

environmental benefits of 100% biofuel. Preliminary results

showed reductions in black carbon, oxides of nitrogen and aerosol

emissions with the ReadiJet® compared to a petroleum Jet-A. The

data also showed that the ReadiJet generated greater thrust than

the petroleum fuel, resulting in lower fuel consumption to

maintain test parameters. Complete test results will be released

in the next few weeks. This historic flight symbolizes a significant

step not only for the aerospace industry, but also towards

advancing sustainable sources of renewable energy. Why is this

flight so significant? Until the October 29 flight, bio-fuel flights

have been restricted to a 50-percent blend with petroleum to

meet specifications. The enthusiasm on the tarmac during and

after the flight was palatable. "Today, I flew the world's first 100

percent biofuel flight," said Tim Leslie, one of NRC's pilots. "We

have been working hard with our partners for many months, and

it is most rewarding to see it all come together."

ARA’s alternative fuel effort began in 2006 in response to a

U.S. military requirement. “The Department of Defense is the

single largest buyer of jet fuel in the country, and has been

directed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense to explore a

wide range of energy alternatives and fuel efficiency efforts to

reduce the military’s reliance on foreign oil to power its aircraft,

ground vehicles and non-nuclear ships,” said Ed Coppola, senior

scientist. “We explored a way to convert renewable oils to jet

biofuel and received a patent on the technology in 2010,” he said.

ARA has one licensing agreement in place with Aemetis, an

industrial biotechnology company, and is now negotiating with

several other firms eager to license the ARA/CLG biofuel. ARA’s

next major milestone is to construct a larger “demonstration”

scale plant which will be used to produce additional fuel for large

scale certification testing. One major advantage of the ARA/CLG

process is that it requires only a small production footprint and

can be built alongside existing petroleum refineries, which will

provide a low cost capital investment for refiners. The fuels can

be pumped into pipelines with petroleum fuels without

contamination issues. “The integrated ARA/CLG process and

Agrisoma’s feedstock provide a pathway for fulfilling the

commercial and military markets’ requirements for alternative fuels

at the same cost or lower than petroleum while spurring

opportunities for farmers,” said Chuck Red, ARA North Florida

Division Manager.

“The current driving factors for both the Department of

Defense and civilian markets are finding a solution that is

environmentally superior to petroleum and also comparable to

the cost of petroleum,” said Red. “Thanks to our engineers,

scientists, and partners, we’ve found it.”

For more information about ARA’s fuel initiative, visit:

www.ara.com/fuels.

“To date, all powered flights have relied on fossil fuel. This flightchanges everything – we have witnessed petroleum free aviation”

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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 YoungProfessionals (BYP) group, contact Elizabeth Smith at850.215.3761 or [email protected].

Bay Young Professionals

Desirée Gardner is a partner at The

New Box Agency, a marketing and advertising firm she helped

establish in July of 2012. Prior to the agency, Desirée worked

at the News Herald for 3 years as their real estate specialist

in the Advertising Department.

She moved to Panama City in 2005 to attend Gulf Coast

State College and work as a freelance photographer. Being

able to work with multiple companies at the same time is part

of what led her to her current work.

Outside of work, she spends time volunteering and currently

serves on the Humane Society of Bay County's Board of

Directors as their Secretary. She has two rescue dogs of her

own and especially likes going camping with them.

Desirée really appreciates a sense of community and is glad

that Panama City has such a strong one. Desirée grew up in

Key Largo, Florida and went to boarding school in Washington,

Connecticut.

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Dan Hinz a financial advisor with Edward Jones,

moved to Bay County in May 2011. As a financial advisor, Dan

helps clients make sense of investing and reach their financial

goals. Those goals often include saving for retirement, living in

retirement, saving money on taxes and saving for education.

After graduating magna cum laude in electrical engineering, Dan

also went on to earn his MBA with a focus on finance from Iowa

State University. Edward Jones became a great opportunity that

allowed Dan to move to Panama City Beach and be with Allison,

his wife, in her dream job as a dolphin trainer at Gulf World Marine

Park. Since moving to Bay County, Dan has become involved in the

Bay County Chamber of Commerce, the Panama City Beach

Chamber of Commerce, and the Panama City Kiwanis Club.

"Throughout high school and college, I have been heavily involved

in groups, clubs, and committees that support the local community.

I look forward to getting even more involved in the future, and I

always strive for the highest in anything that I do."

Dan has been an active member of Bay Young Professionals and

enjoys getting to know other members. "It can be tough moving to

a new area, starting a new job, and meeting new people--all at the

same time. With Bay Young Professionals, I'm developing

relationships with members that have common goals, and the

various events have been introducing me more and more to the

community."

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For Women

Fashionista, Not Fashion Victim

The styles, colors, lengths and fit of your fashion choices will

speak volumes about your ability to do your job. If you are

concerned about your career, you’ll be more concerned with

looking professional than looking cute or trendy.

In general, the more distracting a piece of clothing or jewelry

is, the less appropriate it is for office wear.

More guidelines to looking polished:

• Color plays a big part in professional image. Traditional career

colors include red (aggressive), navy (trustworthy), gray

(conservative) and black (chic). Most of these colors work well

in suits, skirts and shoes and mix back with softer colors. Loud

colors like hot pink and wild prints are much riskier in the office,

but some creative types can still pull them off. They can also

work if paired with a neutral top or bottom, depending on the

piece.

• Jewelry that jangles (chandelier earrings, stacks of bangles)

are distracting. Opt for stud earrings or single bracelets.

• Slouchy handbags look sloppy. Choose structured styles that

project an organized image.

• Most of what constitutes a polished image is in the details:

manicured nails, run-free hose or tights, scuff-free shoes, neat

hair.

• Fit is everything when you are talking about tailored work

clothes. Pants should be fitted, but free of visible panty lines.

Skirts, especially straights styles like pencil skirts, should be

loose enough to sit down comfortably. Jackets should be able

to be buttoned. And blouses shouldn’t gap between

buttonholes.

For MenWow. Guys really do have it easy. But fashion for men is more

fun than the boring 1950’s suit.

In general men should stick to a suit, tie and pressed shirt for

formal business attire. We spoke with local businesses and 9 out

of 10 had a business casual atmosphere at least once a week.

Business casual would consist of pants and a collared shirt.

A must for male office attire is cleaned, polished shoes. This

goes hand-in-hand with the firm handshake. Ties should be

conservative in nature and blend well with the shirt. Stay away

Trends:

from printed (plaid) shirts with patterned ties. A good rule of

thumb is one should be solid.

Dress Like Your Boss

Don’t know where to start working on your career image?

You’re not alone because most companies don’t have specific

guidelines about what to wear to work.

One of the best clues to company dress codes is what your

boss wears. Just think about the styles that the highest-level

person in your organization wears and use them in your wardrobe.

Does she wear mostly skirt suits? Or does she rely on pants and

suit jackets? Does he always wear a suit? Are his ties conservative?

written by Jody Walls

Look Who Ruined Casual FridayGetting dressed for the office can mean many different things these days. Your goalto getting dressed for work is to project a professional, competent image, regardlessof your employment level or career path.

pictured: Lori Luppino, Casual friday... the right way

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January - March 2013 | BAY BIZ 19

Some organizations encourage employees to dress as well, or

better than their customers, especially for sales people and others

that meet clients outside the office. For information technology

professionals, this may mean corporate casual, for pharmaceutical

sales it may mean a suit, for a lawyer it may mean a matched skirt

or pantsuit. One way to always be prepared is to keep an extra

“meet the client” outfit at the office for surprise meetings.

Career Killers

Unlike a fashion faux pas, a career killer outfit can do your

professional image permanent damage.

Looks to Avoid in WorkplaceFor Women:

• Too sexy: see-through lace, miniskirts, spaghetti straps, sheer

sundresses, strappy stiletto sandals.

• Too casual: jeans, shorts, T-shirts, hats, flip-flops, sneakers.

• Tattoos should be covered.

• Too sloppy: wrinkled clothing, too many layers, baggy-fit

clothing.

• Piercings other than your ears

For Men:

• Too casual: jeans, shorts, t-shirts, hats, sneakers, sport or

hunting type shoes. Piercings and un-groomed excessive facial

hair.

• Tattoos should be covered.

• Too sloppy: wrinkled clothing, tie too loose, shirt not tucked

in with a tie or jacket. Un-groomed hair. No socks.

• Too metro: excessive jewelry. Wedding band yes, right hand

ring no. Unless you have a super bowl ring – save it for the

weekend. The 80’s are over, no gold bracelets. Moderate

fashionable male bracelets are acceptable (think Teno or

leather). Huge gold fake Rolex – no. Classy Tag Hauer, leather

bands, real Rolex watches – yes.

Business Dress Codes

Formal Business Attire – For women this constitutes business

suits (a matched skirt and jacket) and, in most workplaces, suits

(matched pants and blazer). Classy pumps (no sandals), blouses,

hose and conservative hair, jewelry and makeup are expected. For

men this constitutes business suits and a tie, and in most

workplaces a sport coat and slacks. Polished shoes with socks.

Well combed hair and groomed moderate facial hair.

Corporate Casual Looks – Working women have interpreted this

to mean everything from shorts to sundresses, but in its most

literal sense it means “smart business.” Dressy pants and a blouse,

sleek jersey knits and skirts and tops are all examples of corporate

casual. No hosiery is acceptable for summer months. Appropriate

hoisery for fall (tights). Denim, T-shirts and flip-flops are only

acceptable in the most casual of work environments. Male

professionals can interpret this to mean khakis’ and a collared shirt.

No jacket is required for corporate casual, ties are typically

optional. Many companies will allow a logo shirt with pants.

Casual Friday – Depending on the business, this can mean

anything from corporate casual instead of formal looks or “Wear

your company logo polo and jeans.” If in doubt, ask a superior.

Never assume anything.

And remember it’s always better to be over dressed, than

underdressed.

“Unlike a fashion faux pas, a career killer outfit can do yourprofessional image permanent damage.”

pictured: Kristie Mclane, Business attire... the right way pictured: Justin Barnes, Mens casual attire... the right way

Page 20: January-March 2013 Bay Biz

economic profile

One of the great motivational

movies is “The Right Stuff” about the

star-crossed flight of Apollo 13.

“The Right Stuff” is one of those

movies that leaves you hopeful

about the American spirit and the

teamwork necessary to accomplish

almost impossible goals. My fa-

vorite line comes from Ed Harris

when everyone around him is being

negative about the possibilities of

bringing the crippled spaceship home

safely. After many efforts to find a

solution, time is running out and col-

leagues are beginning to give up, he

says very confidently, “this can be

our finest hour”.

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: $29,357

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BAY COUNTY FLORIDA

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bay county sales tax collections GROSS SALES TAXABLE SALES TAX COLLECTIONS Oct 12 $481,882,492 $236,739,504 $14,465,664 Sep 12 $495,190,592 $268,230,252 $16,080,516 Aug 12 $586,982,123 $356,219,290 $21,376,368

Oct 11 $526,464,867 $228,728,979 $13,984,737 Sep 11 $485,507,381 $255,591,456 $15,574,468 Aug 11 $657,276,357 $345,607,133 $20,867,120

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

Nov 12 88,309 81,061 7,248 8.2% Oct 12 90,439 83,383 7,056 7.8% Sep 12 81,505 84,220 7,285 8.0%

Nov 11 87,808 79,095 8,713 9.9% Oct 11 89,633 81,138 8,495 9.5% Sep 11 90,211 81,440 8,771 9.7%

real estate salesEXISTING SINGLE FAMILY HOMES

REALTOR SALES MEDIAN PRICE REALTOR SALES MEDIUM PRICE

Nov 12 17,072 $150,000 Oct 12 17,779 $145,000 Sep 12 15,643 $145,000

Nov 11 85 $136,300 12,993 $130,100 Oct 11 105 $150,000 13,755 $131,200 Sep 11 134 $152,000 15,036 $133,900

Condo – Townhome Sales Nov 12 8,079 $112,000 Oct 12 8,252 $107,000 Sep 12 7,329 $105,736

Nov 11 62 $196,000 5,590 $86,700 Oct 11 103 $151,800 6,132 $87,800 Sep 11 81 $174,000 6,666 $87,200

bay county building permits RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL Nov 12 46 1 Oct 12 31 0 Sep 12 28 2 Nov 11 16 2 Oct 11 14 5 Sep 11 17 4

by: Jennifer Conoley

Page 21: January-March 2013 Bay Biz

January - March 2013 | BAY BIZ 21

2013 can be Bay County’s finest

hour in terms of “coopetition”, job

creation and sustaining the great

economic base already in place.

“Coopetition” comes from the auto-

motive industry where two compet-

ing auto manufacturers work

together on a project, i.e. a new en-

gine design yet compete in the mar-

ketplace with different vehicles and

the same engine. Our economic

success in Bay County will greatly

depend on how we cooperate across

city lines for the betterment of the

entire county.

Ronald Reagan said “tear that wall

down” – a very good piece of advice

for us in Bay County. Because solv-

ing our most serious impediments to

quality job creation will require all

of us working together. 2013 is

going to be Bay County’s finest hour

as we reach job creation goals that

will impact all parts of Panama City,

Lynn Haven, Panama City Beach,

Callaway, Springfield, Parker and

Mexico Beach. Let’s get started.

January - march 2013

bay county bed tax collections PANAMA CITY BEACH MEXICO BEACH October 12 $675,710.68 $20,639.05 October 11 $588,482.07 $17,830.01 % Change 14.82% 15.75%

September 12 $556,897.20 $27,034.89 September 11 $477,181.12 $26,772.39 % Change 17% 0.98%

August 12 $651,925.20 $44,914.43 August 11 $484,761.95 $28,085.92 % Change 34% 59.92%

northwest florida beaches international airport passenger traffic TOTAL PASSENGERS COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS Oct 12 75,065 1,151 Sep 12 72,659 1,085 Aug 12 82,033 1,363

Oct 11 77,389 1276 Sep 11 73,470 1208 Aug 11 78,235 1350

national, state & local unemployment rate - January 90 - May 2012

Page 22: January-March 2013 Bay Biz

22 BAY BIZ | January - March 2013

The fairs and merchant guilds of medieval Europe

are considered prototypes of the modern chambers

of commerce. Following the fairs of the twelfth

century, merchant guilds developed during feudal

times and became the first private institutions

formed to protect their members. With the

disintegration of the guild system in the fifteenth century,

chambers of commerce evolved from the first named Chamber,

an association of merchants at Marseilles early in the fifteenth

century, to official organizations in 1650.

Of those chambers organized and conducted entirely

independent of government affiliations, one of the very oldest in

the world and the oldest in America is the Chamber of Commerce

of the State of New York, founded in 1768. By 1870 there were

only 49 chambers of commerce in the United States, all located

in major cities.

Designed originally as trade bodies, they evolved to embrace

in their programs activities designed to promote the growth of the

entire community in the following areas: commercial, industrial and

civic – with emphasis gradually being placed upon the civic.

Panama City Chamber BeginningsThe Gulf Coast Development Company purchased land which

they developed into Panama City in 1906. People began to move

in and businesses appeared near the waterfront of the new town.

In late 1908 G. M. West, president of the company and its chief

promoter, and several others pushed for incorporation of Panama

City, which finally occurred on February 23, 1909.

written by: Rich Musgrave, Centennial Committee

Bay County Chamber of Commerce

25West assembled eight men to promote Panama City. They first

met at the Panama City Clubhouse, now the Elks Club, on

February 8, 1913. They drew up the papers to organize a chamber

of commerce. They could

not call it Bay County

Chamber because it was

located in Washington

County so it was called the

Panama City Chamber.

The first officers elected

were: R. L. McKenzie,

President; C. M. Chandlee,

Vice President; Frank Conrad,

Treasurer; and W. F. Look,

Secretary. The charter papers for the Panama City Chamber of

Commerce were filed in Tallahassee and signed by Governor Park

Trammel February 13, 1913, and recorded with the secretary of

state, March 21, 1913, the official birth date for the new chamber.

The objectives of the chamber listed in the original charter were:

to preserve and strengthen the free enterprise system and to

optimize the human and natural resources of the area.

The new organization had as its initial project the creation of a

new county from Washington and Calhoun which they would call

Bay. Most of the residents in southern Washington County on St.

Andrews Bay had grown tired of travelling the long, bumpy roads

to Vernon to take care of county business. They successfully

politicked for the creation of Bay County, primarily from the

southern portion of Washington County with bits of Calhoun and

Gulf counties thrown in. Legislation creating Bay County was

passed and the new County came into existence on July 1, 1913.

The first meeting of the Chamber was held in the clubhouse

March 27, 1913. In 1926 they were given quarters upstairs in the

new city hall on Fourth Street. In that same year, the Chamber

employed its first executive director, Fred Phillips. On April 5, 1936,

the Chamber’s new and larger quarters on the first floor, formerly

those used by the Mayor and Police Department were opened to

The Firstyears1913 to 1938

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January - March 2013 | BAY BIZ 23

the public. The local paper reported, “The offices have been re-

decorated by interior experts and represent a big improvement

over the quarters formerly occupied on the second floor.”

The Panama City Chamber of Commerce was a strong force in

the community during the period of the Great Depression. The

Chamber became a member of the Florida Chamber in 1926, the

United States Chamber in June 1933 and joined with the Woman’s

Club and Panama City Kiwanis Club in arranging financing to keep

the schools operating full time during the 1930’s.

In 1936, Chamber members were asked to give reasons for

membership. One response that is just as true today read, “I

belong to the Chamber of Commerce because I realize that every

man owes a debt to his community that cannot be paid in taxes –

a debt of personal service.”

Next issue: The second twenty-five years (1939 to 1963).

Page 24: January-March 2013 Bay Biz

Biz lisTThe

If you are a member of the Bay County Chamberand would like to submit your business news forpublication, e-mail a press release and photo [email protected]

CHAMBER MEMBERS SHARE THEIR BUSINESS NEWS IN “THE BIZ LIST”.

One Year Chair Appointments

Phillip Griffitts Jr. is a Bay

County native who graduated

from Florida State University in

1993 with a Bachelor of Science

in Political Science. Griffitts has

served as a member on the

Panama City Beach Civil Service,

Chairman of the Panama City

Beach Chamber of Commerce,

member of the Bay Medical

Foundation, Vice-Chair of the

Bay County Planning Commis-

sion and member of Bay Med-

ical-Sacred Heart Board of

Trustees.

Jim Hayden moved to Panama

City from Monterey, California

in Aug 2002. The following year

he opened The Bagel Maker

Bakery. Hayden has served on

many boards including the Bay

Arts Alliance, Panama City Pops,

NW Philharmonic, Gayle and

Brian Foundation, Downtown

Improvement Board and the Bay

County Chamber of Commerce.

He has worked in many fields in-

cluding auto mechanics, plumb-

ing, sales and finance. Over the

past 9 years, Hayden has con-

tinued to build his business and

give back to the community

that supports him. In his free

time, he enjoys ballroom danc-

ing, boating, shooting, and

travel.

Carlton Ulmer was named Pres-

ident and Chief Executive Offi-

cer of Gulf Coast Medical

Center in August 2012. Prior to

moving to Bay County, he

served as the Chief Operating

Officer of Redmond Regional

Medical Center in Rome, GA.

He is an active Rotarian and has

served on many agency boards

in the communities in which he

has resided. A graduate of Jack-

sonville State University in Jack-

sonville, Alabama Ulmer earned

a Bachelor of Science in Exercise

Science and Health Promotion

and a Master of Business Admin-

istration (MBA) from Troy State

University in Atlanta, Georgia.

Three Year Elected

Lennie Butler is the Market

President for Cadence Bank in

Panama City, and has worked in

this location since 2005. Prior

to his experience in Panama

City, Butler served as the Re-

gional Credit Officer for Supe-

rior Bank in Port St. Joe, FL from

2003-2005. He originally moved

to Panama City to aid in the

opening of SouthTrust Bank

(now Wells Fargo) in 1990 and

later served as the Senior Vice-

President of this organization

from 1990-1992. He was pro-

moted to City President at

SouthTrust in 1992 and remained

there until 1997, when he trans-

ferred to Cary, NC to serve as

City President for SouthTrust

there . Butler holds a bachelor’s

degree in finance from Florida

State University and is a veteran

of the US Navy. He and his wife,

Susan, reside in Lynn Haven.

Robert Carroll graduated from

Florida State University majoring

in civil engineering. Carroll is co-

owner of McNeil Carroll Engi-

neering, Inc. with his partner

Sean McNeil specializing in land

development and permitting.

He is the past chairman of the

Panama City Beach Chamber of

Commerce and former President

of the FSU Panama City Devel-

opment Board. He has been

married to Sharon Carroll for

the past 16 years and has two

beautiful daughters, Mia and Gi-

anna.

Pedro Fúster is a 35-year resi-

dent of Bay County and is cur-

rently the General Manager of

RockTenn’s Panama City Paper

Mill where he has worked since

Each year the Bay County Chamber of Commerce elects six new members and appoints three

to its Board of Directors. We would like to introduce our newest members for 2013.

Page 25: January-March 2013 Bay Biz

January - March 2013 | BAY BIZ 25

continued on page 26

coming to Bay County. Fúster

serves as a board member for

the United Way of Northwest

Florida and holds a degree in

electrical engineering from the

University of Puerto Rico. He

likes woodworking, and along

with his wife, Karen, enjoys

spending time with their chil-

dren and grandchildren.

Frank Martin’s practice provides

refined wealth management

planning for a select group of

business owners, professionals

and successful families. In at-

taining his Certified Financial

Planner™ designation, he pro-

vides client’s insightful and per-

sonalized financial guidance

using cutting-edge investment

strategies designed to protect

and grow their wealth. Martin

has been involved in a number

of businesses, including oil and

gas, tax and audit accounting,

banking and medical service

companies over the past 30

years. For the past 10 years

Martin’s focus has been helping

clients and businesses with their

financial planning and employee

retirement plan needs. Being ac-

tive in the community is very

important to him and he is a

member and board member of

the Panama City Rotary Club as

well as the Bay County Cham-

ber of Commerce, and serves as

the treasurer of the Haney Ed-

ucation Foundation. Spending

time with family and enjoying

the many outside activities,

such as sailing and golf, is why

Martin lives in Panama City.

Raymond Powell is the Presi-

dent of the Southeast Region

of Doral Bank. Prior to this po-

sition, Powell was with Peoples

First Community Bank for 25

years serving as President and

CEO for 19 years. He holds a

current real estate sales license

and has more than 30 years’ ex-

perience in real estate finance,

development, and sales. Ray-

mond’s wife, Teresa, is a real es-

tate agent with Coldwell

Banker. They have two grown

children, David and Teri, and two

grandchildren, Lilly Kate and

Anna Beth. They have lived in

Panama City since 1984 and

been active in many community

and charitable organizations in-

cluding Tourist Development

Council, Convention and Visi-

tors Bureau, Bay Medical Foun-

dation, Florida Bankers

Association, American Heart

Association, American Cancer

Society, United Way, March of

Dimes, Boys and Girls Club,

Early Education and Care, and

others. Raymond was the

Chairman of the Bay County

Chamber in 1998 and Military

Affairs Committee in 1999.

Claire Sherman is a Vice Presi-

dent of Lamar Advertising and

serves as the General Manager

of the Lamar Advertising

Panama City plant. Sherman

has been with Lamar nearly 15

years in the capacity of Sales

Associate, Sales Manager and

now General Manager. A long-

time resident of Bay County,

she is a graduate of Gulf Coast

Community College and earned

a Bachelor of Science degree in

Communications/Public Rela-

tions from FSU-PC. Claire has

been an active community

leader for many years, and cur-

rently serves as the Chair of the

Bay Chamber Centennial Com-

mittee, as well as a member of

the Panama City Beach Cham-

ber of Commerce Board of Di-

rectors, Downtown Rotary Club

Board, and United Way of

Northwest Florida Board. She

has also served as both member

and President of the Gulf Coast

Media & Marketing Association

(AAF) Board and the Junior

League Board and has been a

two-time Chairman of the Jr.

Leadership Bay Steering Commit-

tee, Chairman of the Leadership

Bay Steering Committee, Public

Relations co-chair of the USS

Momsen Commission Team, and

co-chair of the 2010 American

Cancer Society’s Cattle Barons

Ball.

Officers:

Chairman of the Board:

Bill Fenimore

Chairman Elect:

Larry Carroll

Vice-Chair:

Michael Menk

Treasurer:

Andrew Levy

Past Chairman/

Military Affairs Committee:

Al McCambry

At Large/ Communications:

Claire Sherman

Board:

Term Expires 2013:

Ray Dubuque

John Ed McDanal

Valerie Mincey

Alisa Kinsaul

Jay Moody

Mike McGuire

Term Expires 2014:

Gary Anderson

DeAnn Mullins

Rich Musgrave

John Wheat

Mike Sears

Page 26: January-March 2013 Bay Biz

since 2008. He will continue in

that role during the year that

he chairs the National Confer-

ence Board of Trustees.

Pat Sabiston, owner of The

Write Place, a marketing and PR

Firm, worked in tandem with

Gulf Coast State College to

present “Ensuring Great Media

Relations” to the Association of

Florida Colleges Joint Spring

Conference in Tallahassee, FL.

During the summer, her com-

pany finalized the materials to

support the Historic St. An-

drews Walking Tour and Docent

Manual. In September, she fa-

cilitated a panel discussion for

Life Management Center of

Northwest Florida during their

third annual Suicide Prevention

Conference. Sabiston also

serves as Chair of The Panama

City Lighthouse Board of Direc-

tors.

The Gulf County Tourist Devel-

opment Council was awarded

‘The Henry’ for its Tourism

EXPO Event in the category of

Tourism Advocacy at the 2012

Flagler Awards held September

5-7, at SeaWorld during the

Florida Governor’s Conference

on Tourism. Additionally, Gulf

County TDC received a Silver

Flagler by Visit Florida for its

Gulf County Discovery Guide.

Jennifer Jenkins, Gulf County

TDC Executive Director ac-

cepted the awards during the

Conference along with Kerigan

Marketing Associates, Inc., of

Port St. Joe, who completed

each of Gulf County TDC’s

winning entries while serving as

agency of record.

Cox Pools was awarded the

Building Industry Association

(BIA) of Okaloosa and Walton

Counties’ coveted APEX Award

for Achievement of Professional

Excellence in the category of

Outdoor Living & Landscaping

on October 11, 2012.

Downtown ImprovementBoard/Main Street Pulls inState Awards. Panama City

Main Street was recognized at

the Secretary of State’s Florida

Main Street Awards Dinner on

Thursday, September 15th, at

Stetson University in DeLand,

Florida. In the annual competi-

tion of over 50 Main Street Pro-

grams, Panama City’s Main

Street program took home

‘Merit Award’ honors in four cat-

egories.

During the 45th Annual Florida

Governor’s Conference on

Tourism, held September 5-7 at

the Renaissance Orlando at

SeaWorld, VISIT FLORIDA hon-

ored the Bay County Tourism

Development Council (TDC)

for creativity in public relations.

Annually, leaders in Florida

tourism are chosen by a selec-

tion committee for various pres-

tigious honors and awards. This

year, the Bay County TDC re-

ceived a Bronze Flagler Award

for its Spring 2011 public rela-

tions campaign centered on at-

tracting visitors to the

destination following the mis-

perceptions surrounding the

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.

Campaign elements included

social media events and promo-

tional partnerships with key col-

leges and universities; an

exclusive with the Wall Street

Journal; New York media mission

with national trade and con-

sumer media utilizing Skype to

showcase real-time pristine

beaches; and national broadcast

coverage on CBS News and the

Travel Channel.

Franklin R. Harrison of Panama

City, Florida, was elected Chair

of the Board of Trustees of the

National Conference of Bar Ex-

aminers (NCBE) at an August

meeting of the Board held in

Burlington, Vermont. NCBE de-

velops the tests used as part of

the bar examination in virtually

every U.S. jurisdiction, including

Florida. Harrison has served as

the committee chair of the

Multistate Bar Examination, the

organization’s flagship test,

Mrs. Betty Domangue, Hon-

orary Member and Pianist for

The Rotary Club of Panama

City, aka Downtown Rotary,

has announced her retirement.

A retired teacher with the Bay

County School System and a

former Baldwin Piano and Organ

dealer, Mrs. Domangue was in-

vited to join the then predomi-

nantly male club 28 years ago

by Dr. Earl Bailey, former pro-

fessor at Gulf Coast Commu-

nity College. Instruments

available during her tenure as

Rotary Pianist ranged from

“rinky dink keyboard to a grand

piano,” says Mrs. Domangue.

Song leaders and song choices

were varied as well. “The song

leaders have ranged from

young to 90 years old. Some

wanted to sing religious, always

my favorite because my parents

were ministers, and I have al-

ways played piano at church.”

Mrs. Domangue credits Rotary

as having stood by her through

good times and bad. She cher-

ishes the friendships she has

made within the Club. Her fu-

ture plans include travel with

her church and her family. She

will remain an honorary mem-

ber of The Rotary Club of

Panama City.

26 BAY BIZ | January - March 2013

continued Biz List from page 25

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January - March 2013 | BAY BIZ 27

Tracy Nye, Naval Surface War-

fare Center Panama City

(NSWC PCD) employee, was

named a 2012 Naval Sea Sys-

tems Command (NAVSEA) engi-

neer of the year. Nye, along

with two other NAVSEA War-

fare Center employees, Dr.

Christine Michienzi of NSWC

Indian Head and Shawn Mc-

Donald of NSWC Dahlgren,

were named recipients of the

NAVSEA 2012 Engineer, Scien-

tists and Technical Authority of

the Year for outstanding

achievements in engineering,

science and technical authority.

They received their awards in

December at the Washington

Navy Yard

Innovations FCU’s Presidentand CEO, David Southall, was

invited to speak at the FEDEAC

Annual Meeting to the mem-

bers of the Costa Rican League

of Credit Unions in October

through a partnership devel-

oped by the League of South-

eastern Credit Unions and the

World Council of Credit Unions.

Southall discussed how Innova-

tions utilizes technology to at-

tract the youth market and

grow the credit union. He also

shared Innovations’ dialogue

tower banking concept and

clean branch design thus re-

moving the barrier of the tradi-

tional teller line to create a

comfortable, inviting atmos-

phere for members.

In November, Dana Brown, in-teractive marketing managerfor the Bay County Tourist De-velopment Council (TDC), re-

ceived the Forty for the Future

(Travel’s Leading Talent) award

by the Southeast Tourism Soci-

ety, a non-profit organization

dedicated to the promotion and

development of tourism

throughout the region. The

award was presented to Brown

in Virginia Beach, Va., at the or-

ganization’s annual Fall Forum.

Brown was selected for demon-

strating exceptional leadership

qualities and contributing to a

significant future for the travel

and tourism industry in the

United States.

Gulf Coast State College earned

13 Marketing Awards of Excel-

lence at the fall Association of

Florida Colleges convention,

held recently in Palm Harbor, FL.

Gulf Coast took home more

awards than any of the other

27 Florida colleges. The Market-

ing & Communications team is

Laura Green, Karon Phillips, Dan

Tuma and Chris Thomes.

1st Place:� Social Media (our current

Facebook awareness campaign)

Poster (Spring Arts Festival)� Article in a College-Pro-

duced Publication (“Reflections:

Music and Memories, Laughter

and a Legacy” – Summer 2012

Clipper story about Norman

Hair, former VPA Division Chair)

� Advertising – Outdoor (“I

Will” campaign billboards)� Advertising – Print (“I Will”

campaign print ads in local

magazines)

2nd Place:� Article in a College-

Produced Publication (“A Deli-

cious Success Story” – Fall 2011

Clipper story about alumna

Maria Baugh)� Video/Electronic Promotion

(“President’s Welcome” video)� Brochure (ATC Presentation

Folder)� Display/Presentation Board

(“I Will” display banners)� Trendsetter (“I Will”

digital/electronic view book)� Magazine (The Clipper)� Social Media (“4th of July”

Facebook post) � Single Sheet Flier (STEM

Education Center)

Page 28: January-March 2013 Bay Biz

28 BAY BIZ | January - March 2013

There has been an increase in jobscams in Panama City and all aroundthe state of Florida. Unfortunately,with the increase in unemployment,job seekers are letting their guardsdown more when they becomeexcited about a job opportunity,causing them to be more apt tobecome part of a job scam. Therewas recently a job scam in theEmploy Florida Marketplace wherean imposter posted a position, whenjobseekers responded to the ad,they were asked to send money in

advance for required training for the “job”. Even though the EFMwebsite has scamming alert warnings on almost every page, jobseekers can still fall victim to the scam. The Gulf Coast WorkforceBoard would like to remind everyone that scammers can be verygood at what they do and any employer can go online and post ajob opening in the Employ Florida Marketplace, as well as other jobboards. In order to protect yourself, please keep these tips in mind:� Research the company to ensure it is authentic � Keep your email address private� Be cautious of any employer offering employment without an

interview

Kim Bodine, Executive Director

– Gulf Coast Workforce Board

Workforce Connection� Be cautious of any employer who charges a fee to either

employ, find placement, or providing training prior to an officialjob offer

� Please investigate thoroughly any employer requesting you to transfer funds or to receive packages for reshipment, especiallyif they are located overseas

� Do not provide your social security number or any other sensitive information to an employer unless you are confident that the employer is legitimate

� Avoid vague offers as these are often scams� Be wary of inflated claims of product effectiveness � Be cautious of exaggerated claims of possible earnings or profits � Beware when money is required up front for instructions or

products � Be leery when the job posting claims “no experience necessary”� Be cautious when dealing with individuals outside of your own

country� Be wary when replying to unsolicited emails for work-at-home

employment� Contact the Better Business Bureau to determine the legitimacy

of the company� Be cautious of employers who conduct their interviews in a

home setting or in motel rooms

written by: Maria Goodwin

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July - September 2012 | BAY BIZ 29

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30 BAY BIZ | January - March 2013

newf o r J a n u a r y - M a r c h 2 0 1 3

{101st Air Operations Group(850) [email protected] Florida Ave.Tyndall AFB, FL 32403

Abundant Life Ministries(850) 785-7241(850) [email protected] Box 16721Panama City, FL 32406

Allstate Harry Grizzle Agency(850) 769-7681(888) [email protected] W. 23rd St.Panama City, FL 32405www.allstate.com/hgrizzle

Ayman T. Aboulela M.D.(850) 769-1566(850) [email protected] W. 23rd St.Panama City, FL 32405

Bay Center Nursing & Rehab(850) 763-3911(850) 763-0242administrator@baycenter-healthandrehab1336 St. Andrews Blvd.Panama City, FL 32405baycenterhealthandrehab.com

Bay Health Foundation(850) 747-6230(850) [email protected] N. MacArthur Ave.Panama City, FL 32401

Beach Tower Resort Motel(850) [email protected] Front Beach Rd.Panama City Beach, FL 32407beachtowermotel.com

Chartwells School Dining Services(864) 253-9567(864) 253-9574eugenie.cariselli@compass-

USA.com7092- B Howard St.Spartanburg, SC 29303www.eatlearnlive.com

Childers Fine Jewelry(850) [email protected] Lisenby Ave. Ste. CPanama City, FL 32405

Claussen Plumbing Inc.(850) [email protected] Flamingo Ave.Fountain, FL 32438claussenplumbing.com

El Jalisco(850) 481-0909(850) [email protected] W. 23rd St.Panama City, FL 32405

Elliott Vocal Studios(850) [email protected] W. 23rd St.Panama City, FL 32405www.elliottvocalstudios.com

ENSEC Pest Control(850) [email protected] S. Burnt Mill Creek Rd.Panama City, FL 32409www.pest.com

Genghis Grill(850) [email protected] W. 23rd St.Panama City, FL 32405www.genghisgrill.com

Giambra Vending(850) [email protected] S. Lake Joanna Dr.Panama CIty, FL 32404www.giambravending.com

Harley Davidson of Panama CityBeach(813) [email protected] PCB ParkwayPanama City Beach, FL 32413www.pcbharley.com

Homeless and Hunger Coalitionof NWFL(850) [email protected]

PO Box 549Panama City, FL 32402www. homelesshungercoalitionnwfl.org

Honda of Bay County(850) 763-5495(850) [email protected] E. 15th St.Panama City, FL 32404www.hondaofpanamacity.com

Hope Radiation Cancer Center(850) 481-1687(850) [email protected] Hwy 77Lynn Haven, FL 32444www.hoperadiationcancer-center.com

Labor Finders(850) [email protected] Magnolia Ave.Panama City, FL 32401www.laborfinders.com

League of Women Voters(850) [email protected] Preserve Rookery Blvd.Panama City Beach, FL 32408

Legal Shield/GoSmallBiz.com(850) 832-8922(850) [email protected] Collegiate LanePanama City, FL 32405legalshield.com/hub/chrisobaugh

Meadows and Kelly P.A.(850) 215-2948(850) [email protected] Box 669Panama City, FL 32402www.meadowsandkelley.com

Moulder Insurance Agency, Inc.(850) 785-0538(850) [email protected] N. Tyndall Pkwy.Panama City, FL 32404

Ms. Tammala Spencer(850) [email protected] Box 126Panama City, FL 32402

North Florida Coins and Col-lectibles(850) [email protected] Box 418Lynn Haven, FL 32444-0418www.northfloridacoins.com

Panama Vapor(850) [email protected] MLK Blvd.Panama City, FL 32405www.panamavapor.com

Panhandle Orthopaedics(850) 784-7724(850) [email protected] Doctors Dr.Panama City, FL 32405www.panhandleortho.com

Pat Green Heating & Cooling(850) 277-2777(850) [email protected] Business Park Dr.Lynn Haven, FL 32444www.patgreenair.com

Pyne Law Group, P.A.(850) 215-9090(850) 215-90452309 Frankford Ave., Ste APanama City, FL 32405www.pynelawgroup.com

Members.

Page 31: January-March 2013 Bay Biz

January - March 2013 | BAY BIZ 31

Onyx - 5 YearsArea Glass

Chef Dee’s Catering

Community Health Center of Bay County

La Quinta Inn & Suites

Sea Breeze Health Care

Two Men & A Truck

Ruby - 10 YearsCitynet

Community Health Task Force

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics F-22

Opal - 15 YearsTillman Investments, LLC

Emerald - 20 YearsRodney K. Wolfe

Silver - 25 YearsFirst Baptist Church

Recognizing renewingmembers for theirdedication at 5 yearintervalsfor January - March 2013

MemberanniversariesRE/MAX Southern(850) [email protected] S. Hwy. 79Panama City Beach, FL 32413www.gosouthern.com

Real Time LLC(850) [email protected] Harrison Ave.Panama City, FL 32401www.realtime-it.com

SeaMark Wealth Accommoda-tion & Preservation(850) [email protected] W 23rd St., Ste. APanama City, FL 32405

Smugglers Sports Bar & Eatery(850) 215-7691(850) [email protected] Tyndall ParkwayPanama City, FL 32404smugglerssportsbar.com

The Alarm People(850) [email protected] Walsh Rd.Fountain, FL 32438www.thealarmpeople.info

The Willis Conservatory of Classical Ballet(850) [email protected] McElvey Rd.Panama City Beach, FL 32408www.willisballet.com

Tindell Marketing(850) [email protected] Calvin Ave.Panama City, FL 32404tindellmarketing.com

Tito's Downtown Cafe & Bakery(850) [email protected] Harrison Ave.Panama City, FL 32401www.titoscafe.com

Titus Commercial Laundry(888) 366-7065(850) [email protected] Commerce Dr., Ste. 1Freeport, FL 32439

Treatment Center Of PanamaCity(850) 769-5695(850) [email protected] W. 23rd St., Ste. APanama City, FL 32405www.tcaclinics.com

Trinity Air Services(850) 244-0747(850) [email protected] Denton Blvd., Bldg 1Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32547www.trinityair.com

VBA Design, Inc.(850) 769-3357(850) [email protected] Harrison Ave.Panama City, FL 32401

Verizon Wireless(850) 867-9633(813) [email protected] A E. 23rd St.Panama City, FL 32405www.verizonwireless.com

Page 32: January-March 2013 Bay Biz

32 BAY BIZ | January - March 2013

Start With Trust®

Start with bbb.org or call 800.729.9226 to see how you may receive more customer referrals

1500

7 in 10 consumers say they’d be more likely to buy from a company designated as a “BBB Accredited Business.”*

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Smart consumers come

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an average of over 1,500

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Page 33: January-March 2013 Bay Biz

January - March 2013 | BAY BIZ 33

out&about

1.

6.

1. Annual Board Retreat at the

Northwest Florida Beaches

International Airport

2 New Member Breakfast in the

Chamber boardroom

3 Business After Hours : Members of

the News Herald and

PanamaCity.com advertising team

Janelle Rodabaugh, Digital Sales

Manager A.J. Levato, Lindsay Law,

and Sales Associate Rhonda

Lairsey.

4: Leadership Bay learn Skill Building

techniques

5 First Responders Honored by

Congressman Steve Southerland at

the Second Annual First

Responder’s Appreciation Luncheon

6 “Getting the Grant: From Research

to Thank You” workshop held in

the Chamber boardroom

7 Junior Leadership Bay students visit

healthcare facilities in Bay County

out&about

2012

3.

4.

2.

7.

5.

Page 34: January-March 2013 Bay Biz

First FridayFSU-PC Holley Center (4750 Collegiate Drive)Networking: 7:30 a.m./ Program 8:00 a.m.Sponsored by: Gulf Coast State CollegeFree event to Bay County Chamber members andChamber invited guests

Bay county chamber of commerce 100th Birthday Block PartyBusiness after Hours5:30-7:00 p.m.Contact [email protected] for more information

Events are for Bay County Chamber member andChamber invited guests. Contact 785-5206 forinformation on events or membership.

calendarBay County Chamber of Commerce Events{

First Friday with the Beach FSU-PC Holley Center (4750 Collegiate Drive)Networking: 7:30 a.m./ Program 8:00 a.m.Sponsored by: The Bay County Public Libraries Foundation Inc., Gulf Coast Medical Center and GulfCoast State College Continuing EducationProgram: TBDFree event to Bay County Chamber and Panama CityBeach Chamber members and Chamber invited guests

annual dinner and awards ceremonyEdgewater Golf & Beach Resort (11212 Front Beach Road)Cocktails and Silent Auction: 6:00 p.m./ Program & Dinner: 6:45 p.m.Join the Bay County Chamber as we celebrate 99 yearsof business in Bay County and kick off our 100th Yearcelebration. Contact [email protected] for more information

Business after HoursPlace: Spine Care Plus5:30-7:00 p.m.Sponsored by: Spine Care Plus- 714 East 4th St.Contact [email protected] for more information

Bay Young Professionals Social Tito’s (448 Harrison Avenue)5:30-7 p.m.Contact [email protected] for more informationContact [email protected] for more info

February

11

25

First FridayFSU-PC Holley Center (4750 Collegiate Drive)Networking: 7:30 a.m./ Program 8:00 a.m.Free event to Bay County Chamber members andChamber invited guests

new Member 411 BreakfastChamber Boardroom (235 W. 5th St.)8:30 – 9:30 a.m.Free for new members or those new to a members organizationRSVP to [email protected] or 215.3753

5

March

1

January

For a detailed listing of chamber and community events visit

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

1

31

29

21

For sponsorship and availability call

785-5206.

Page 35: January-March 2013 Bay Biz
Page 36: January-March 2013 Bay Biz