Summer 2025 SoundBytes
News in Brief
CAPITAL // LOCAL HONORS
LEON COUNTY RECOGNIZED FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS
Leon County Government has been recognized for its outstanding commitment to public infrastructure, earning six Project of the Year Awards from the American Public Works Association (APWA) Big Bend Branch. These awards celebrate the County’s dedication to innovative, sustainable, and community-focused projects that enhance the quality of life for residents. Leon County received Project of the Year honors for the following projects: Keystone Court Trash Screen Project in the category of Structures. To improve stormwater management and flood protection, the County installed a specialized trash screen to prevent debris from clogging the existing channel. Blountstown Highway Safe Route to School (SRTS) Sidewalk Improvements Project in the category of Transportation. Fred George Park Wetland Restoration Project in the category of Environmental (Stormwater). Maylor Road Drainage Improvement Project in the category of Environmental (Stormwater). Miccosukee Community Center – Concord School Renovations Project in the category of Historical Restoration/Preservation. St. Marks Headwaters Greenway, Buck Lake Road Trailhead Project in the category of Multifunction. The APWA awards program recognizes excellence in the design, management, and construction of public works projects, highlighting the collaborative efforts between government agencies, engineers, and contractors.
Big Bend Cares/Care Point is proud to celebrate its 40th anniversary of providing comprehensive care and promoting sexual health for individuals with HIV/AIDS across the eight-county region surrounding Tallahassee. As part of this milestone, the board of directors is pleased to announce Amber R. Tynan as the agency’s next CEO. Following a nationwide search that garnered over 100 applicants and included a rigorous two-interview process, the board’s decision to remain local paid off with the selection of Tynan, whose extensive leadership experience and community insight uniquely qualify her to guide the organization into its next chapter. Tynan has joined Big Bend Cares/Care Point as president as of April 1, 2025 and will assume the official role of CEO on October 1, 2025.
he Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce announced that Sue Dick, who has dedicated 30 years to the organization, including 25 years as president and CEO, will be transitioning from the Chamber to explore new opportunities. Dick will continue to lead the Chamber until December 2025, ensuring a smooth and effective transition. Named president after a national search in April of 2000, Dick was the first female president of the Chamber. Under her leadership, the Chamber has seen significant growth and success, making a lasting impact on the Tallahassee business community. Her tenure has been marked by numerous achievements, including the expansion of membership, the introduction of innovative programs, and the strengthening of the Chamber’s role as a vital resource for local businesses. Her vision and dedication have been instrumental in shaping the Chamber’s success and fostering a thriving business environment in Tallahassee. The Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Staff extends its deepest gratitude to Sue Dick for her exceptional service and unwavering commitment and look forward to seeing the new ventures and opportunities she will pursue.
EMERALD COAST//LOCAL HONORS
Sinfonia Gulf Coast, the region’s only fully professional orchestra, proudly announces that its founder and music and artistic director, Demetrius Fuller, has been accepted as a professional member into the Florida Chapter of the Recording Academy. Furthermore, he has been appointed to the Education Committee of the Florida Chapter, playing an integral role in steering statewide decisions that affect music education initiatives and scholarship opportunities, including those supported through the academy’s charitable arm, MusiCares.
For the fifth year in a row, Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast has earned the honor of being on Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Maternity Care Hospitals at the highest five ribbon level. The Best Maternity Care distinction recognizes facilities that have provided exceptional care to mothers, newborns, and their families based on three data sources. These include nationwide online surveys of hospital managers and maternity health careprofessionals, medical key performance indicators relevant to maternity care, and patient satisfaction data. The hospital also earned the distinction of being included in the U.S. News & World Report 2025 High Performing for Maternity Care list. This is the highest recognition a hospital can earn in the Best Hospitals for Maternity Care annual ratings. Additionally, U.S. News recognized Sacred Heart Emerald Coast as a Maternity Care Access Hospital, for its essential role in serving underserved communities at risk of becoming maternity care deserts. Only 118 hospitals, representing just 14 percent of all evaluated hospitals, earned this distinction for their critical contributions to maternity care access.
Charlie Marello, principal of Niceville High School, has been appointed Northwest Florida Regional Director for the Florida Association of Secondary School Principals (FASSP), Okaloosa County School District officials announced. Marello, who has served as Niceville High’s principal for nine years, brings 15 years of experience as a secondary school principal to the leadership position with FASSP, a division of the Florida Association of School Administrators.
The Global Council for Responsible Artificial Intelligence has selected Dr. Eman
El-Sheikh, University of West Florida Center for Cybersecurity associate vice president, as Global Ambassador for the United States. The Global Council for Responsible AI is an international governing body committed to fostering the development of AI technologies that are ethical, secure, and beneficial for humanity. The council’s mission is to lead and support worldwide efforts in ethical, secure AI development, enhancing societal well-being through inclusive dialogues, comprehensive standards, and international cooperation. As a Global Ambassador, El-Sheikh will leverage her experience to advocate for secure AI development and responsible AI adoption that benefits society globally. In her role, she will help guide the ethical integration of AI into critical sectors, ensuring its alignment with societal well-being.
Sinfonia Gulf Coast proudly announces its expanded 2025-2026 board of directors, the 12-member governing body is responsible for providing financial support, strategic guidance, and management oversight. Members of the board are elected for two-year terms and play a crucial role in sustaining and enhancing the orchestra’s mission and vision. Elizabeth Boswell of Premier Property Group leads as board president, supported by Vice President Joseph Rogers of Avantgarde Salon & Spa. Justin Shane of Forever Destin Beach Rentals serves as treasurer, and Jennifer Howard of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Penfed Realty fulfills the role of secretary. Additional board members include Debra Henry (Debra Henry CPA), Jennifer Lombard Knight (Hotel Effie), Madison Johnston (Premier Property Group), Chris Poate (Wells Fargo Advisors), Jeff Dannelly (Hancock Whitney Bank), Steve Barber, immediate past board president (Scarlett Magazine), Demetrius Fuller (Sinfonia Gulf Coast), and Cassie Long (South Walton Law). The new board of directors brings diverse expertise and dedication that will help drive Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s continued growth and artistic excellence.
Architecture and engineering firm Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) recently announced promotions of key individuals to firmwide leadership roles. Galen Thackston has been named president of GMC subsidiary Headwaters; Chris Engel has been appointed as COO; and Marc Warren has been named executive vice president of architecture. In addition, the firm announced the development of new leadership roles, naming Abby Basinger as vice president of people and culture, and Jim Teel as vice president of market strategies. Jason Harper has also been tapped to lead governmental relations as vice president within the market strategies division.
HHM Certified Public Accountants, a full-service CPA and consulting firm with locations in Chattanooga, Cleveland, Memphis, Tennessee, and Pensacola, Florida, is proud to announce its inclusion in Accounting Today’s 2025 rankings as one of the Top 100 CPA Firms nationwide, released on March 5, 2025. Additionally, HHM has been recognized as a regional leader in the Southeast, ranking among 29 other top firms, and as a leader in tax services for firms, standing alongside eight other distinguished firms. As part of the firm’s growth, HHM CPAs achieved a 19 percent growth increase in 2024. Also noted in the Accounting Today report is the firm’s launch of a new recruitment service in 2024, aimed at attracting top talent and fostering future growth. HHM CPAs also expanded its wealth management division, further diversifying its services to meet the evolving needs of clients.
NEW & NOTABLE
EMERALD COAST
Pensacola State College held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new 34,000-square-foot Aviation Airframe and Powerplant Mechanics Program facility on Monday, April 7, at the Pensacola International Airport. With the expansion of this state-of-the-art training center, PSC is furthering its commitment to workforce development and preparing students to meet the demands of the aviation maintenance industry.
The Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved sending a large-scale land use amendment to state officials that would allow the Air Force Enlisted Village to develop a new military retirement community, Victory Village. This will be a blended residential community comprised of wounded warriors and their caregivers, surviving spouses of retired enlisted soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen,Coast Guard, retired enlisted couples, and age-qualified gold star spouses.
The University of West Florida’s Usha Kundu, MD College of Health has expanded its offerings by adding a new respiratory therapy program to its catalog. Only the third of its kind in the state of Florida and one of a select few nationwide, the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with a specialization in Respiratory Therapy (BSHS-RT) is designed to equip students with advanced knowledge and skills to meet the growing demand for respiratory care professionals. This program will be taught in person on UWF’s Pensacola campus.
Phelps combined with Beggs & Lane, the oldest law firm in Pensacola, Florida. Operating as Phelps, this combination will expand the super-regional law firm to more than 425 lawyers located in 17 offices. The combination builds on Phelps’ ongoing growth with an expanded presence in Florida offering a connection across the Florida Panhandle and bridging the firm’s existing Gulf Coast offices. The joining of these two storied firms deepens Phelps’ service offerings to clients in employment, health care, energy, real estate, tax, white collar defense, and intellectual property. Phelps, established in 1853, and Beggs & Lane, in 1883, together share a deep history of maintaining respected brands with strong market ties by providing trusted, responsive, and solution-based legal services.
The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to submit a $16.8 million application to Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc. for Project Opal, which officials describe as the largest single economic development investment in Northwest Florida’s history. The project involves a confidential aerospace company planning to construct a 1-million-square-foot manufacturing complex for critical aircraft systems serving both commercial and defense markets. The company has selected a 135-acre parcel within the Shoal River Ranch Gigasite, contingent on finalizing infrastructure support. The project would create 336 jobs.
The Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola and Nemours Children’s Health announced a strategic arrangement to advance pediatric specialty care in Northwest Florida. This collaboration brings together Studer Family Children’s Hospital, a leader in pediatric care in the region, and Nemours Children’s Health, one of the nation’s largest pediatric health systems. Through this agreement between Studer Family Children’s Hospital and Nemours Children’s Health, most pediatric subspecialists will be employed by Nemours Children’s Health and will practice on Studer Family Children’s Hospital’s campus.
Builders FirstSource (BFS) celebrated the grand opening of its new truss plant in DeFuniak Springs. The 50,000-square-foot facility features new, state-of-the-art roof and floor truss building equipment and employs a staff of 50 associates. The plant serves the central Gulf Coast market. Utilizing the most advanced manufacturing technology available in both the production and delivery of trusses, BFS DeFuniak is able to have three production lines working simultaneously, producing 12 to 14 sets of trusses per day. Additional truss plants to the west are able to handle any needed excess capacity.
BAY
The Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to honoring fallen veterans, first responders, and their K9 companions while restoring marine ecosystems, held its Inaugural Lionfish Tournament on June 6 and 7, 2025 at the prestigious Point South Marina at Bay Point in Panama City Beach, Florida. This exciting event served as both a critical fundraiser for the foundation’s mission and a proactive strike against the invasive lionfish threatening Gulf Coast waters.
A new retail spot opened in Panama City for teens and 20-somethings, offering an affordable shopping option for clothing and accessories. Plato’s Closet opened its doors in Panama City at 660 West 23rd Street on April 3. A nurse by trade and a longtime resale shopper, Holly Linssen is turning her dream of entrepreneurship into reality with the opening of Plato’s Closet in Panama City. While raising her three children in Wisconsin, she relied on Plato’s Closet as a go-to for stylish, affordable finds for her kids. After relocating to Panama City with two of her teenage children, she saw the need for a young adult-focused resale store and knew Plato’s Closet would be the perfect fit. Now, with her children by her side as part of the team, Linssen is excited to bring this much-needed concept to the community.
Marcus & Millichap (NYSE: MMI), a leading commercial real estate brokerage firm specializing in investment sales, financing, research, and advisory services, announced today the sale of Shops at Bay City Point, a newly built Class A retail center in Panama City, Florida. The asset sold for $8.2 million. Zach Taylor, Robby Pfeiffer, and Eric Abbott, investment specialists in Marcus & Millichap’s Atlanta office, represented the seller, a developer from Rome, Georgia. Brian Munn, also based in the Atlanta office, procured the buyer, a Georgia-based private investor. Ryan Nee is Marcus & Millichap’s broker of record in Florida.
