CAPITAL

LOCAL HONORS

Holland & Knight announced that 50 attorneys were elected to the firm’s partnership effective Jan. 1, 2026. Among those promoted is Kathryn Isted of the Tallahassee office. Isted’s practice focuses on commercial, administrative, and appellate litigation, with experience handling complex matters in federal court, state court, and arbitration. She earned her J.D. from Florida State University College of Law and her B.S. from Florida State University.

Big Bend Hospice announced an expansion of hospice services into Jackson, Calhoun, and Gulf counties beginning in January 2026. The expansion marks the first phase of a long-term effort to increase access to compassionate, high-quality end-of-life care across North Florida, particularly in rural areas where services can be limited. For more than 40 years, Big Bend Hospice has supported patients and families through serious illness by providing comfort, dignity, and guidance. The organization will continue
building partnerships
to ensure residents in the expanded service area have access to needed care.

 Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF) announced that the Huggins Wealth Management Group of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company has been named to Forbes’ 2026 Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams list for the third consecutive year. Based in Tallahassee, the team includes Stephen C. Huggins, C. Blair Huggins, J.D. Huggins, and Tom Stitely, and brings more than 55 years of combined industry experience. The annual list recognizes approximately 6,150 top-performing
teams nationwide.

NEW & NOTABLE 

 Amscot has opened a new Tallahassee location at 4212 W. Tennessee Street, expanding access to its financial services. The new branch reflects continued consumer demand for convenient, regulated small-dollar financial solutions. For more than 30 years, Amscot has focused on providing short-term loans governed by strong consumer protections designed to prevent debt cycles. The Tallahassee opening follows recent expansions in Jacksonville, Port St. Lucie, and St. Augustine. 

EMERALD COAST

LOCAL HONORS

Richard D. Ogburn has been honored with the Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award. Ogburn has served low-income residents for more than 45 years and is a consistent presence at Legal Services of North Florida’s First Friday Legal Clinic. His career has included work with Jacksonville Area Legal Aid and continued dedication to improving access to justice throughout the Gulf Coast.

Gulf Winds Credit Union announced that Jose Delgado has joined its executive leadership team as chief member experience officer. Delgado brings more than 31 years of financial institution experience and will focus on integrating services to enhance member experience. He holds degrees from Saint Louis University and Webster University and has served on boards, including the Tulsa Area United Way and American Heart Association.

 Evergreen Printing & Mailing, a family-owned Pensacola business founded in 1993, received the 2025 Pensacola Small Business of the Year award by the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce. Owner Joe Barzacchini has supported local businesses and nonprofits for more than 30 years through printing and mailing services while remaining deeply engaged in community initiatives. Evergreen continues to operate locally while adapting to changes in the printing industry.

Florida blue creates new NWFL position

Florida Blue, the leading health insurer in the state, has named Hong Potomski as market president for Northwest Florida, a newly created position. This role will oversee regional business strategy and community engagement efforts spanning 19 Panhandle counties. Potomski brings more than 20 years of health care experience to the position, most recently serving as Northwest Florida market leader. A Pensacola native with strong local connections, she joined Florida Blue in 2021 and has been instrumental in developing and leading programs and partnerships to serve individuals, businesses, and communities across the area. Potomski holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida and dual master’s degrees from the University of West Florida. In addition, Potomski is recognized as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. She invests time and serves the community with various organizations, including Florida’s Great Northwest, Greater Pensacola Chamber, United Way of Emerald Coast, Florida State University College of Medicine, Greater Tallahassee Chamber, University of West Florida’s College of Health, and Pace Center for Girls. She has been recognized for her community contributions, including a Pinnacle award from 850 Magazine, a Healthcare Harmony award from the Escambia and Santa Rosa County Medical Society, and being named one of seven Rising Executives by Florida Trend. Potomski is also an alumna of and actively involved with both Leadership Pensacola and Leadership Florida.

NEW & NOTABLE

 The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach announced the opening of Cabana Cantina & Tequileria, a refreshed concept inspired by coastal Mexico. Open to the public and resort guests, the venue features Mexican-inspired cuisine and a tequileria offering more than 50 100% agave selections.

New facility creates jobs

Buffalo Rock Company celebrated the opening of its new Santa Rosa Campus, a 352,800-square-foot facility located off I-10 in the Northwest Florida Industrial Park. The campus includes distribution and office space and will serve franchise sales centers across the Gulf Coast. The project will create 150-200 new jobs and relocate 200 positions. Construction began in September 2023 as part of the company’s long-term infrastructure strategy.

 Gulf Winds Credit Union opened its 2026 Scholarship Program, offering five renewable scholarships of up to $10,000. Since 2007, the program has provided nearly $300,000 in educational support to students pursuing higher education, trade school, and medical careers.

 The Highland Group announced master-planning and development projects along Highway 331 in Freeport, totaling more than 70 acres. The projects include commercial development, a health care facility, and land designated for conservation, supporting balanced growth in one of the Panhandle’s fastest-growing communities.

New facility for winsupply

The Winsupply Family of Companies has expanded with the launch of Pensacola Winsupply, led by President Trampas Miller. Serving residential, commercial, and HVAC contractors, the new 11,800-square-foot facility on North Palafox Street opened September 21, 2025. A Pensacola native with decades of electrical industry experience, Miller was recruited by Fort Walton Beach Winsupply and embraced the opportunity for local ownership backed by national support. Pensacola Winsupply aims to stand out through customer-focused service and trust. Founded in 1956, Winsupply includes more than 670 local companies nationwide, generating $7.8 billion in annual sales and employing approximately 9,000 people.

Gulf Winds Credit Union also announced Craig Vinson Sr. as vice president of wealth management. A Certified Financial Planner® Professional with more than 25 years of experience, Vinson will oversee wealth management services and program growth.

LOCAL HAPPENINGS

Coldwell Banker Realty’s Dawn McKenna Group Expands to 30A

DMG is seeing continued demand for luxury real estate in Florida’s top vacation and second-home markets, particularly along the scenic 30A corridor. After building a strong presence in Naples, the firm’s expansion into 30A reflects its commitment to serving clients wherever they live, vacation, or invest.

“Opening our DMG | 30A office is an exciting milestone,” says founder Dawn McKenna. “30A is one of the country’s most desirable coastal destinations, and our clients have increasingly sought our expertise here. This expansion allows us to deliver the same high level of service and market knowledge whether clients are buying a second home, investing, or relocating to the Emerald Coast.”

The 30A team brings more than 20 years of experience and over $200 million in sales, including record-setting transactions. Bonnie Hall, an award-winning agent and area resident since 1997, serves buyers and sellers from Fort Walton Beach to Rosemary Beach and Panama City Beach, representing first-time buyers, luxury clients, and investors.

She is joined by Maria McKenna, who specializes in 30A communities including Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, Seaside, and WaterColor. Known for her strong market insight and client-focused approach, she has achieved record Gulf-front sales and began her career with DMG in Chicago.Together, they also proudly serve military families stationed near Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field.

Out to Lunch Emerald Coast will debut on WFSW 89.1 FM NPR on January 11. The program will air Sundays at 3 p.m. and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. and will be recorded at Farm & Fire in Santa Rosa Beach. Fletcher Isacks will serve as host.

Foundation awards grant to ECCAC 

The Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center (ECCAC) has received a $70,000 grant from the St. Joe Community Foundation to support services in Walton County. Of that amount, $40,000 will fund the Child Safety Matters school-based prevention program, while $30,000 will provide trauma-focused mental health counseling for child abuse victims through the Pierce Family Children’s Center in DeFuniak Springs. An additional $3,000 donation helped provide Christmas gifts for local children and families. The foundation, established in 1999, supports Northwest Florida nonprofits focused on education, environmental stewardship, health care, and the arts. In 2024, ECCAC delivered 9,201 child safety sessions and 739 hours of counseling in Walton County. Over 25 years, the organization has provided more than 200,000 free services and supported over 33,000 children affected by abuse, abandonment, and neglect.

 Florida Institute for Human & Machine Cognition (IHMC) entered a strategic partnership with Conduit Venture Labs to accelerate commercialization of IHMC research. The collaboration will support licensing and venture creation across defense and commercial markets.

 Engel & Völkers Florida announced that Robert Weil has acquired the franchise license for Engel & Völkers 30A Beaches. A longtime 30A resident with more than $300 million in lifetime sales, Weil plans to expand the firm’s luxury real estate presence from its Seagrove Beach location.