April-June 2015 Bay Biz by Bay County Chamber of Commerce

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POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE Tyndall Waterway Security Plan

FEATURE

Mark V Turns 100 during Year of the Military Diver Celebration

TRENDS

Telemedicine: The Healthcare of Today

ANNUAL DINNER & AWARDS CEREMONY 2015 ECONOMIC PROFILE

20 EDUCATION New Staff at New Horizons Making Big Impact on Students

24 26 30 34 36 37 38

WORKFORCE CONNECTION BIZ LIST BYP MEMBERS TO KNOW CHAMBER EVENTS CALENDAR NEW MEMBERS MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES OUT & ABOUT

EDA Insights

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PUBLISHER Carol Roberts

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS NSA Panama City, Desiree Gardner Photography, Sean Brosnan, Brittany Cole

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Brittany Cole

BAY BIZ MAGAZINE c/o Bay County Chamber of Commerce 235 W. 5th Street – P.O. Box 1850 Panama City, FL 32402 850.785.5206 information@baychamberfl.com Online: www.panamacity.org facebook.com/baychamberfl twitter.com/baychamberfl

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Becca Hardin Elizabeth Smith Brittany Cole Danyl Adams Kim Bodine Theresa Moran Tom Neubauer

The Bay Biz is published quarterly by the Bay County Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 1850, Panama City, FL 32402 | 850.785.5206

LAYOUT & DESIGN Sean Brosnan (GORGEOUS - Strategic Branding & Design) COVER Mark V Turns 100 during Year of the Military Diver Celebration

POSTMASTER send address changes to: Bay County Chamber, P.O. Box 1850, Panama City, FL 32402 or email Brittany@baychamberfl.com.

The Bay Biz welcomes story ideas from its readers. Email to Brittany@baychamberfl.com. To request additional copies, contact 850-785-5206.

You Only Have One Heart Only One Hospital Has the Area’s Best Survival Rates Bay Medical Sacred Heart is recognized as one of the top-rated heart programs in the nation. Why? Because our mortality rates are among the lowest in the country and we have healed more hearts than any other program in the region.

One Life. One Heart. One Hospital. 615 N. Bonita Avenue Panama City, FL 32401 (850) 769-1511 w w w.baymedical.org 4

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Global access with daily flights on Delta, Southwest, United and Silver Airlines

IFlyBeaches.com BAY BIZ | APRIL - JUNE 2015

Thank you to the City of Panama City for the invitation to attend a lunch with visiting educators from the Czech Republic. Thank goodness for translators!

As I sit in my office and think of the past several months of activities, such as you see in these photos, I must first pause and remember my mentor to this position. Frank Bacen, who was then the Executive Vice President (a title that changed in 2000 to President) of the Bay County Chamber of Commerce, took a chance in 1977 on hiring a young 20 year old, who had no experience, and especially didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even know what a Chamber of Commerce was. My mentor, of whom I had the pleasure of working under for 20+ years, passed away on February 20, 2015. He was an amazing man with a passion for this community, writing and first and foremost, his family. Frank gave more than 30 years to the Chamber industry, beginning his career at the Hollywood FL Chamber of Commerce. Having a degree in journalism gave him the desire to create this publication, Bay Biz, in 1984. As the founder, editor and publisher, he gave thousands of hours to see it succeed. And succeeded it has! I take much pride in continuing to carry the torch. My thoughts and prayers go out to Mariann, Vicki, Mitch and Jeff. Thank you for sharing this wonderful man with us. Let us not forget the ones that have laid the foundation for this beautiful community we call home. I would simply like to reflect on some of the highlights of activities since the last issue in this pictorial display:

Me and Frank Bacen

I had a blast at the Friday at the Beach breakfast, especially this moment with Chairman, Mike Burke.

A very special thank you goes to our team who traveled to Tallahassee to deliver our 2015 legislative agenda.

It was a treat for me to welcome the newest Chamber Chick to our team. On January 5, 2015 Charlotte, the daughter of our VP of Communications, Brittany, and her husband Matt came in to the world. Missy Timmins, Timmins Consulting, has for many years hosted us at the Governors Club for lunch during our trip to the State Capitol. Thank you Missy!

I was thrilled to surprise Lance Allison at the PCB Chamber Annual Dinner with his mentor Shane Moody, President/CEO of the Destin Chamber as my guest.

Our team, Brittany Cole and Sean Brosnan with Gorgeous (Strategic Branding and Design), who designs Bay Biz, were proud to take possession of a Silver ADDY Award.

Jordan K., Graduate Student Accounting. Greek.

D I S COV E R

YOU R I N N E R WAR R I OR. Becoming a TROY Trojan is about more than identifying with a symbol or mascot. It’s about adopting a mental attitude that will lead you to success. We call it the “warrior spirit.” Everything about our public university embodies it, from the way our professors engage with their students to the intensity our athletes bring to the game. Do what you love, and be great at it. That’s the warrior spirit, and it’s alive and well at Troy University.

Feel it in Panama City. troy.edu/spirit 1-800-586-9771 Bring images with this icon to life with the Layar app. troy.edu/scan © 2015 Troy University From The Princeton Review, August 1, 2014 © 2014 TPR Education, LLC. All rights reserved. Used by permission and protected by the Copyright Laws of the United States. The printing, copying, redistribution, or retransmission of this Content without express written permission is prohibited.

BAY BIZ | APRIL - JUNE 2015

Tyndall Waterway Security Plan Protecting Military Assets, National Security and Bay County by: Theresa Moran, Vice President of Governmental Affairs Bay County Chamber of Commerce and Tom Neubauer, President of Bay Defense Alliance

In Bay County, the military presence is a leading contributor to our economy and our way of life. Naval Support Activity- Panama City (NSA-PC) and Tyndall Air Force Base (TAFB) provide over 27,338 direct and indirect jobs, and in total provide over 2.6 Billion dollars in economic impact to our local economy.

601st Air and Space Operations Center work 24/7 to track every aircraft approaching United States and Canadian airspace, and are prepared to respond to any threats. The base is also home to significant tenant commands such as the Air Force Civil Engineer Center and 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group, each responsible for missions of vital importance to our national defense.

The F-22 Raptor is our country’s 5th generation air dominance aircraft. Tyndall AFB is the home of the largest fleet of F-22s in the world, and the only Formal Training Unit (FTU). Many of our friends and neighbors who are associated with the new F-22 operational squadron, the 95th Fighter Squadron, have already deployed in support of combat operations.

Following the events of September 11, 2001, Tyndall has been working to comply with a Department of Defense directive to develop a Waterway Security Plan, designed to ensure Tyndall can protect vital defense assets in the event of a direct threat to the installation and its missions. The process began with a vulnerability assessment, which identified Tyndall’s 129 miles of coastline as the major concern.

Tyndall is also home to First Air Force, which is responsible for Command & Control, Search & Rescue and defense of all North American airspace. The men and women assigned to Tyndall’s

The installation’s first proposal to mitigate these security vulnerabilities was developed, coordinated with selected community organizations and provided to the Army Corps of Engi-

BAY BIZ | APRIL - JUNE 2015

neers in 2013. However, upon publishing the product for public comment the proposal was met with considerable community concerns and although this process identified no significant issues that would stop its implementation. Installation leadership withdrew the proposal based on respect for the outstanding community partnership between the community and Tyndall AFB and are currently conducting an extensive review. It is important to note that at this time there is NO proposal in coordination with the Army Corp of Engineers. The revised proposal is being developed and comments received during two town halls meeting held with local community members are being considered. Colonel Derek France, the 325th Fighter Wing Commander has stated:

The Bay County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors supports Tyndall Air Force Base’s Waterway Security plan. To view a resolution that the Board passed, visit PanamaCity.org

DON ALD GI LES MAI, SRA Cert. Gen. RZ356

Commercial and Residential Property Valuations

“In times of emergency or crisis at Tyndall, my priority is to secure the unique assets that help defend the nation and protecting our Airman and families. However, I also recognize the need to be transparent and responsive with the local community that has been incredibly supportive of our Airmen and our mission. Our goal is a policy that allows us to maintain that balance.” No timetable has been released concerning when the revised proposal will be provided to the Army Corps of Engineers for consideration. On March 19, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Bay County Chamber of Commerce adopted a resolution supporting Tyndall AFB and its waterway security proposal. The Chamber of Commerce understands the important role Tyndall AFB plays in our national security, and supports the need to ensure Tyndall is compliant with installation security requirements. We also recognize Tyndall AFB must remain competitive and viable as the Department of Defense actively pursues a process to reduce military base infrastructure by approximately 25% through future base realignment and closure actions. As a defense community, it’s important to support our installations, their missions and those who serve.

122 E 4th St Panama City, Fl, 32401 Phone: 850-769-6593 Fax: 850-872-9160 gilesappraisal@knology.net

Emplo

Position

Company Name

Employee Name Position Title

Street Address Address 2 City, ST ZIP Code Phone: 555.555.0125 Fax: 555.555.0145 E-mail address

Emplo

Position

Company Name

Employee Name Position Title

Street Address Address 2 City, ST ZIP Code Phone: 555.555.0125 Fax: 555.555.0145 E-mail address

For questions about the Waterway Security Plan, please contact Tyndall Public Affairs office at 850-283-4500.

Company Name

Emplo

Position

PANAMA CITY, Fla - No other symbol is more indicative to U.S. Navy diving than the Mark V. What began as a firefighting ensemble in the early 1800s became the catalyst for nearly two centuries of diving. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Mark V dive helmet, the workhorse of Navy deep sea divers for 65 years and the trademark of courage, perseverance and professionalism. Although the Dive Manual lists 1916 as the year when the U.S. Navy adopted the Mark V, research and development actually occurred the previous year according to the Diving Historical Society. To commemorate this anniversary, 2015 has been dubbed “The Year of the Military Diver.” This historic milestone is celebrated along with the 35th anniversary of the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center (NDSTC) – the largest diving facility in the world- where 1200 divers from all services in the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, allied and partner nations, and other government agencies train each year.

ration may serve as a reminder to our country of everything military divers have done for this great nation. Specific examples of military dive contributions to U.S. history include the four brave men who dove into the sea in 1939 to rescue all 33 survivors of USS Squalus, and proved the concept of submarine rescue. These men were honored with our nation’s highest award: The Medal of Honor.

The goal of the Year of the Military Diver is to commemorate this significant landmark that gave birth to a generation of men and women who conquered the treacherous ocean depths. This year-long commemo-

After the creation of the Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) and the popularizing of civilian diving by Jacques Cousteau, hundreds of thousands of people around the world began recreational

BAY BIZ | APRIL - JUNE 2015

After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, it was Navy divers that raised every ship sunk (with the exception of USS Arizona and USS Utah) back to the surface and sent them back to chase the Japanese fleet, resonating to the world the indomitable American spirit can never be subdued. Since that time, whether it was TWA Flight 800 and other airline disasters, the space shuttle Challenger, the Minnesota I-35 bridge collapse, mineshaft collapses, the Fukashima power plant meltdown, or the Korean ferry boat capsize, military divers have been there for every tragedy to help heal the wounds of the world.

BAY BIZ | APRIL - JUNE 2015

diving. Whether they received their certification from the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) or Scuba Schools International (SSI), all the tables and charts used were created from the sweat and sometimes blood of divers of the Navy Experimental Dive Unit (NEDU). When divers are hurt, they are treated by recompression tables also created by NEDU. The benefits of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy are not limited to just diving casualties, but the super-oxygenation of cells have had much success in gangrene and carbon monoxide poisoning. Recently HBO therapy has had reported successes in cases of traumatic brain injuries, and although it is a long way from treating post-traumatic stress disorder, it gives a glimmer of hope to caring for our wounded warriors. Wherever HBO research may one day lead, it all began with a Navy diver willing to give everything for God and country.

The Year of the Military Diver will not only highlight great achievements, but also the great servicemen and women who made those achievements. These success stories include divers such as Carl Brashear, who shattered barriers to become the first African American Master Diver, and Donna Tobias, the first female Navy Diver. Saturation divers proved the concepts of long-term underwater habitats, and NASA astronaut Scott Carpenter became one of the aquanauts in Sealabs II and III. 12

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All of these tremendous contributions make up who we are today as U.S. divers. To celebrate these historic milestone achievements during the Year of the Military Diver, NDSTC will host a series of week-long celebrations May 4-8, 2015, in Panama City, Florida. This week-long celebration will include historic dives in the Mark V for the Sailors of the Year from all diving commands, and an open house aboard Naval Support Activity Panama City, the hub of research, development, testing, evaluation and training for all diving. The celebration will be held in conjunction with the Navyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Working Diverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Training Symposium. The U.S. Coast Guard will have an opportunity to inaugurate its new Coast Guard Diver job specialty, and the Army will honor a fallen soldier and diver in a dedication of a physical training facility at NDSTC. The Year of the Military Diver will honor warriors who battled the perilous seas in service of this Great Nation.

Mark VV Helmet Helmet Mark

First Choice Physical Therapy would like to congratulate the Naval Coastal Systems Center for seventy years of operations here in Bay County. We would also like to extend congratulations to the Navy Dive and Salvage Training Center for thirty-five years of dedication and service to our country. This year, “The Year of the Diver”, commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Mark V dive helmet and 40 years of women Navy divers. First Choice Physical Therapy feels that it is a great time to introduce a unique hyperbaric medicine facility to Bay County. The Hyperbaric Centers of Excellence is a new medical facility specializing in hyperbaric medicine. It is capitalizing on all the years of research and development that the U.S. Navy has put into hyperbaric technology. It will be located in the Village of Grand Panama on Panama City Beach and is expected to attract medical tourism from all over the United States. Through our unique affiliation with the Hyperbaric Centers of Excellence, our physical therapy patients have a new way to heal and recover from injuries. Studies are now showing how hyperbaric medicine can aid in the rapid natural healing of the body without pharmaceuticals. The hyperbaric technology can be used for a multitude of medical conditions such as PTSD, autism, wound care, sports injury recovery, as well as sports enhancement. The Hyperbaric Centers of Excellence is one of an elite few facilities nationwide that can treat patients without a referral with the latest hyperbaric technology available today. Again, First Choice Physical Therapy would like to thank the Navy and all those in uniform for their hard work, innovation and dedication in helping to develop hyperbaric technology. We are confident that First Choice Physical Therapy and the Hyperbaric Centers of Excellence will make a significant difference in the way you heal and recover. Remember, it’s your choice. Mak e it count with First Choice Physical Therapy.

For For More More Information Information Please Please Visit Visit our our Website-www.1stchoicept.com Website-www.1stchoicept.com

O O

Hyperbaric Hyperbaric Centers of of Centers Excellence Excellence

www.HBO2fitness.com

WWW.HYPERBARICCE.COM

Fitness

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Telemedicine:

The Healthcare of Today by: Danyl Adams, Who Dey Prints & Embroidery

When it comes to healthcare, most people have two initial thoughts: Is it affordable? Is it convenient? The new trend in health care is Telemedicine or Telehealth, which answers the needs of consumers through affordability and helps working consumers spend more time at work and not waiting in a physician’s office or emergency room.

Telemedicine is a service offered through many health insurance companies, and smartphone apps, that allows consumers to connect with licensed physicians through secure video chats, instant messaging and traditional phone lines. Both publicly-traded and privately-held health care companies have been offering these technology-based services to the public since early 2002. In the U.S, Telemedicine has gained mainstream attention in recent years due in part to the rising cost of healthcare and the increased wait time to receive medical services. The most attractive qualities for consumers are the low price tag

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and the open availability of participating doctors. A person can wake up on a Saturday morning exhibiting flu like symptoms, call their designated doctor’s line, receive a diagnosis and a prescription by early afternoon for a small fee, sometimes much less than a traditional co-pay. With the projected rise in interest over the next three years for Telehealth industry services and the population boom projected to hit Bay County, the conversation about healthcare is now changing. As with any change, there are views supporting it and views against it. Proponents for Telemedicine argue the benefits are evident in the decreased wait times for patients in emergency rooms and doctor’s offices, as well as the reduced costs for claims administration to the employers’ group healthcare plans. Not to mention on a weekend, the patient is diagnosed and receives needed prescriptions without having to wait until Monday to get relief. Opponents claim we may be trading convenience for accuracy in diagnosis, resulting in decreased

quality, low-cost healthcare services. Also, Telehealth companies cannot distribute controlled substances or long-term medications. So the important question remains, ‘Is telemedicine really better? In response, advocates state that telemedicine is

not intended to replace the routine wellness visits with one’s primary care physician, but to aid in the treatment of common or recurring illnesses that may not require a personal visit to a doctor’s office, or waiting until Monday to get a prescription from the pharmacy. In the forefront of the Telemedicine push are companies such as Teladoc and MDLive, which have excelled at successfully bringing accurate and comprehensive services to individuals and providers using the latest technology. Teladoc, a Dallas, Texas

health care company, has partnerships with hundreds of U.S. board-certified family practitioners, primary care physicians, pediatricians, and internists that use Telemedicine in their practices. These companies and the many others like them, all operate on the same basic formula: offer customers timely medical advice and treatment in the most technologically relevant way possible. There are no longer extensive wait times in a doctor’s office or trips to the emergency room for easily diagnosed and treatable illnesses. Within 30 minutes*, individuals can speak to, text, instant message or video chat with a licensed physician. These physicians can diagnose most common conditions and call in non-narcotic prescriptions to the pharmacy of your choice. Technology is a large part of everyone’s life now and these companies recognize the need to be able to access healthcare just as easily as we access everything else. We, as individuals, can take a more active role in our healthcare through the various apps and services offered by the advancing Telehealth industry, making way for new health trends. *Wait times are an average of all three services mentioned in this article. To view a list of Chamber insurance members that offer these services, visit PanamaCity.org.

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by: Elizabeth Smith,Vice President of Events & Foundation Shining a spotlight on the past year’s accomplishments, the Bay County Chamber of Commerce celebrated its Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Friday, January 23, 2015 at the Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort. Chairman of the Board for 2014, Larry Carroll, passed the gavel to 2015 Chairman, Andrew Levy. Carroll’s term as chairman included: continued efforts to support our local military installations and specifically the welcoming of Airmen from Holloman AFB; was the lead organization in getting the Panama City Bed Tax referendum passed; Chamber was recognized with three statewide communications awards; advocate for the business community through our legislative agenda; partnering with local community leaders for the betterment of the tourism and manufacturing industry, and the promotion of economic growth. The awards portion of the program began with Carroll, who presented a beautiful bronze eagle to 2014 Military Affairs Committee Chairman, Bill Fenimore. Fenimore was extremely involved with both Tyndall AFB and Naval Support Activity, serving as a liaison between the military and civilian community.

Each year, the Chamber recognizes an outstanding member with its Member of the Year award. Philomena Martrain of Legendary Marine was announced as the 2014 recipient. Martrain is truly committed to the Chamber, and is a true Ambassador for the organization. The last award of the night, and the Chamber’s most prestigious, is the Lauren Merriam Memorial Award, the Chamber’s highest honor. Ted Haney (who was the 1989 recipient of the award), presented the 2014 award to Steve Southerland, who was chosen for this award for his commitment to the community’s well-being, as exemplified by involvement in civic, charitable and/or endeavors contributing to the betterment of Bay County and the benefit of its citizens. Recipients of the award are selected by the previous award winners. Wrapping the evening up, 2015 Chairman, Andrew Levy, gave his vision for the organization over the next year. Levy touched on some of the priorities for 2015 of taking a leadership role in supporting the new Alignment Bay initiative and supporting innovation and entrepreneurship through continued involvement with the Business Innovation Center. In addition, he applauded the ongoing efforts of the Chamber to work closely with the Panama City Beach Chamber, the Bay EDA, and all of our educational institutions to make Bay County the best place to live, work and play.

PLATINUM SPONSORS:

Harrison Sale McCloy Attorneys at Law and the Resort Collection

GOLD SPONSORS:

Barron & Redding, P.A., Coldwell Banker Carroll Realty, FSU Panama City, GAC Contractors Inc., Gulf Coast State College, HealthSouth, NAI Talcor, RockTenn and The News Herald

MEDIA SPONSOR: Klever Media Works

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BAY BIZ | APRIL - JUNE 2015 Member FDIC

INSIGHTS: Bay EDA Update by: Becca Hardin, President current labor statistics for Bay County

LABOR FORCE

EMPLOYED

UNEMPLOYED

UNEMPLOYED RATE

JAN 15

84,949

79,357

5,592

6.6%

DEC 14

85,047

79,806

5,241

6.2%

NOV 14

88,583

83,374

5,209

5.9%

JAN 14

84,129

78,012

6,117

7.3%

DEC 13

86,809

81,477

5,156

5.8%

NOV 13

87,884

82,260

5,624

6.4%

real estate sales REALTOR SALES

MEDIAN PRICE

REALTOR SALES

MEDIAN PRICE

JAN 15

153

$168,000

16,087

$175,000

DEC 14

221

$180,000

22,414

$185,000

NOV 14

186

$172,000

17,772

$176,000

JAN 14

126

$169,000

14,628

$163,000

DEC 13

197

$175,000

19,355

$173,000

NOV 13

159

$165,000

16,061

$170,000

CONDO - TOWNHOME SALES JAN 15

133

$127,250

7,294

$137,000

DEC 14

144

$174,750

9,466

$136,000

NOV 14

$185,500

7,227

$140,000

JAN 14

115

$145,000

7,418

$130,000

DEC 13

130

$197,500

8,506

$137,500

NOV 13

102

$177,000

7,638

$130,000

Bay County building permits

RESIDENTIAL

COMMERCIAL

JAN 15

DEC 14

NOV 14

JAN 14

DEC 13

NOV 13

Bay County sales tax collections

GROSS SALES

TAXABLE SALES

TAX COLLECTIONS

JAN 15

$619,911,905

$268,010,883

$24,949,376

DEC 14

$408,089,425

$232,208,040

$14,370,693

NOV 14

$471,121,986

$263,702,127

$16,231,574

JAN 14

$597,514,804

$250,674,235

$15,167,145

DEC 13

$424,837,402

$217,117,958

$13,213,568

NOV 13

$462,097,558

$242,248,774

$14,969,256

As I have had some time to meet people in Bay County and learn more about our community, it is evident we have assets that set us apart from our competition.

Did you know?

EXISTING SINGLE FAMILY HOMES

We are in full swing for 2015, and we are actively implementing a three-prong economic development strategy of creating and fine-tuning our product, marketing our product, achieving our ultimate goal of closing deals and creating jobs in Bay County.

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• Over the past several years, the economic platform has been set for us to take our efforts to the next level in generating good jobs in Bay County. It is now our opportunity to take advantage of all this hard work and push our efforts over the finish line in closing deals. • Bay County has an exceptionally committed elected, volunteer and professional leadership team focused on economic development success and celebrating “wins”. • Bay County is centrally located to be the “aviation center of excellence” for the Southeast (Airbus in Mobile, AL; Boeing in Charleston, SC; Gulf Stream in Savannah, GA; Embraer in Jacksonville, FL.) • We have a very unique property product by having industrial sites with access to a 10,000 foot runway at a state of the art airport. • We have two “certified” pad-ready sites at the Intermodal Distribution Center and VentureCrossings. • We have an international port that supports 2,500 jobs, and generates more than $1.4B annually. • Bay County has a major college/university presence with FSU PC, GCSC, Troy University and Embry Riddle, which is an internationally known aeronautics university. • Haney Technical Center has an FAA approved Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) aviation maintenance training program. The only one in the panhandle of Florida! • Our strong military presence is an excellent workforce source. • We live and work in paradise! We hope you will join us in “Generating a Buzz Around Bay County in 2015”. GREAT things are happening in our community, and we should take pride in knowing we are all a part of this positive energy to take Bay County to the next level!

January - March 2015 Demographic Snapshot Bay County Population: 178,324 Median Age: 40 Labor Force: 90,424 Average Wage: $33,251

Households: 67,561 Household Income: $47,461 Per Capita Income: $24,498

Bay County bed tax collections

PANAMA CITY BEACH

MEXICO BEACH

DEC 14

$342,313

$13,594

DEC 13

$293,966

$13,975

% CHANGE

16.45%

-2.73%

NOV 14

$367,803

$13,611

NOV 13

$352,110

$11,414

% CHANGE

4.46%

19.25%

OCT 14

$968,831

$27,784

OCT 13

$785,101

$24,898

% CHANGE

16.45%

11.59%

Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport passenger traffic

TOTAL PASSENGERS

COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS

JAN 15

40,653

844

DEC 14

47,554

873

NOV 14

54,994

926

JAN 14

38,415

837

DEC 13

50,982

903

NOV 13

51,712

1,039

National, state & local unemployment rate (Jan 1990 to July 2013) 16.0

14.0

12.0

10.0

8.0

Florida US Bay County

6.0

4.0

2.0

Jul-13

Jul-12

Jan-13

Jul-11

Jan-12

Jul-10

Jan-11

Jul-09

Jan-10

Jul-08

Jan-09

Jul-07

Jan-08

Jul-06

Jan-07

Jul-05

Jan-06

Jul-04

Jan-05

Jul-03

Jan-04

Jul-02

Jan-03

Jul-01

Jan-02

Jul-00

Jan-01

Jul-99

Jan-00

Jul-98

Jan-99

Jul-97

Jan-98

Jul-96

Jan-97

Jul-95

Jan-96

Jul-94

Jan-95

Jul-93

Jan-94

Jul-92

Jan-93

Jul-91

Jan-92

Jul-90

Jan-91

Jan-90

0.0

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New Staff at New Horizons Making Big Impact On Students by: Brittany Cole, Vice President of Communications

There is definitely a buzz on the campus at New Horizons

Learning Center. The entire administrative team has changed in the last calendar year, and a renewed energy has entered the campus. In November, Wes Smith, the newly appointed Principal, joined Assistant Principal Jonathan McQuagge, who was appointed in the middle of the previous school year. Both administrators are hoping to take the success of their two previous high performing schools to New Horizons to make it one of the premier alternative schools in the area. Smith states that “I have only been here for a few months but I already see the culture beginning to shift. The school is blessed to have so many people at the school level and the district level that care about the students and the school. This can be a tough assignment for teachers and staff members but it also provides some of the most rewarding moments when the kids succeed.” Smith’s optimism and lofty goals center around the confidence he has in his leadership

BAY BIZ | APRIL - JUNE 2015

team. “I was really lucky to inherit a great leadership team full of passionate and qualified individuals. We are all constantly brainstorming trying to find the most productive ways to help the students and make the school run as efficiently as possible. The best thing about the team is they are all student-centered and want to build positive relationships with the students. We also have one of the most dedicated School Advisory Council Chairmen in Brian Baber, who is at the center of almost everything we do. He brings a much needed outside perspective and lots of good ideas. One of our main goals as a team is to change the perception that the public has of New Horizons, and let the public know about the great things that are going on here.” New Horizons serves as Bay District Schools alternative option for all middle and high school ESE students. All students at the school have some type of disability ranging from learning dis-

Smith adds that New Horizons Mentor Program is a key factor in the schools success. This program has generated the most community involvement than anything else on campus. Margaret Tidmore faithfully serves as the Mentor Program Coordinator, and is the heartbeat of the program. She tirelessly seeks out business partners and community members willing to donate their time to mentor a student. Early on, Tidmore saw a huge need for these students to have an adult that could invest in their lives and provide guidance in their decision making. Almost half of the students at the school are provided a mentor that meets with them several times each month. Smith stated “It is so encouraging to see the amount of mentors we have and how dedicated they are to our students.” Having enough mentors for the students has been an ongoing struggle for the school and recruitment is a main focus for the program. “Even with all of the great support we receive we still have so many students that are in need of a mentor. Many students would love to have a mentor, but we just don’t have enough mentors to provide to all of our students.” The Mentor Program also offers many field trips throughout the year that are funded through donations from community members. This year alone they have provided trips to Dave and Buster’s, a Captain Anderson’s deep sea fishing trip, a day at Fusion, and upcoming trips to Cape San Blas Lighthouse, another deep sea fishing trip, and a tour of the Gulf Coast State College facility with a chance to spend the day with Gulf Coast coaches and athletes. The Mentor Program also runs the Mentor Room which provides food and snacks for the students as a reward for good behavior. “Many of the students have extremely difficult home situations so food isn’t always readily available to them. The Mentor Room fills that void for them.” Smith adds “The Food Closet in the Mentor Room is probably our biggest need on campus. We have so many faithful organizations that donate food and money, but we need even more organizations to be-

come partners with us to feed these kids. I don’t know any better way to say it but some of these kids are just hungry and they need our help.” Even with the many needs that New Horizons has, the future is still so bright for all of those involved. “We are so optimistic here. I think we all know we can do something truly special here, and be a part of changing the course of people’s lives. It is a very exciting time.”

If you are interested in learning more about New Horizons Learning Center, would like to serve as a mentor, or would like to invest in this worthy cause please contact either Wes Smith or Margaret Tidmore at 767-1110, or e-mail Smith at smithwl@ bay.k12.fl.us

JOE BROWN 850-253-7953 17206 PANAMA CITY BCH PKWY PANAMA CITY BEACH joebrown2@allstate.com Subject to terms, conditions and availability. Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Co. © 2013 Allstate Insurance Co.

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abilities to behavior disorders. The school services anywhere from 100 to 125 students at any given time throughout the year. Over 90% of the students are classified in the lowest socioeconomic brackets. “Many of our students have been dealt a tough hand in life, and our job is to try to help them succeed in school so they can work their way out of their current situation”. Many of the students lack motivation and are academically behind in many areas. The benefits for the students at New Horizons are the small class sizes the school is able to provide and the dedicated teachers that are on staff. Smith states “Most of the classes are between 5-8 students. A teacher and a paraprofessional are in each room so students receive the individualized instruction they need to be successful. Our current goal is to maximize the level of instruction in each class by offering an extensive amount of training to both the teachers and the paras.” He goes on to say “Our students are very fortunate to have the dedicated group of teachers found on this campus. This is a very stressful job and our teachers deal with behaviors you would not find on a mainstream campus. You truly have to have a heart for these kids and their disabilities to work with them day in and day out.”

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BAY BIZ | APRIL - JUNE 2015

Inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and boldSM

REJUVENATE your Body PAMPER your Soul

WITH YOU IN HER CORNER, SHE WILL CHANGE THE WORLD. To learn more about Girls Inc. and how you can support girls, visit www.girlsinc.org/supportus/donate.html or scan code.

As one of Florida’s most premier health and fitness facilities, we offer everything you need to strengthen, rejuvenate and pamper yourself; including a 24 hour fitness center for women and men along with an exclusive women’s only fitness area. At Panama City Health Club, we offer the latest state-of-theart cardiovascular and strength training equipment, innovative group fitness classes, personal training, comfortable and relaxing steam room and sauna, child care and a nutrition bar. Here, you’ll find that fitness never felt so good.

914-BFIT(2348) e PanamaCityHealthClub.com e see us on

Spring into a New David Weekley Home

Breakfast Point • From the $270s The David Weekley home you’ve always wanted is in Breakfast Point! Choose from two Designer Series Showcase Homes ready for immediate move in…Or build from the ground up in this picturesque Panama City Beach community. Breakfast Point has beautiful water views and a new phase of homes being built in our Lifestyle Series! Here, you’ll enjoy:

• Elevated homes on 50-foot homesites with front porches •

Preserve or pond views

•

Top-rated Bay County schools

•

Pre-grand Opening incentives available for a limited number of sales

•

Build on Your Lot with your plan or ours

Now Selling Phase 3 For more information, contact

850-708-1778

See a David Weekley Homes Sales Consultant for complete details. Not valid with any other offer or previously written contracts. Pre-Grand Opening incentives offer only valid for a limited number of Homebuyers who purchase a David Weekley home in the Panama City Beach community of Breakfast Point – Lifestyle Series between March 10, 2015, and April 1, 2015. Offer must be presented to a David Weekley Homes Sales Consultant prior to the signing of the contract. David Weekley Homes reserves the right to terminate program or change rules at any time. Prices, plans, dimensions, features, specifications, materials, and availability of homes or communities are subject to change without notice or obligation. Illustrations are artist’s depictions only and may differ from completed improvements. Copyright © 2015 David Weekley Homes - All Rights Reserved. CBC1257289 Weekley Homes, LLC. Panama City Beach, FL (PANA65247)

What Does Your Digital Image Project? by: Kim Bodine, Executive Director CareerSource Gulf Coast

We all know first impressions really

do count, and it’s true there is no second chance to make a good first impression. The same is true for both employers and job seekers. You have that first opportunity to put your very best face forward. Today, those opportunities are more often not in person, but in the digital world. Social media has grown tremendously, as have the uses for those tools in both recruitment and job seeking. Please take some time today to look at your digital media presence, and tune it up as necessary.

For Employers

Hiring the best employees starts with CareerSource Gulf Coast. We offer comprehensive job postings, meeting space, complete support for hiring events, publicity, industry-leading candidate screening services and much more - all at no cost. With the incredible growth of social media sites, we also encourage you to take a closer look at your digital footprint, and make sure you are presenting a clear and enticing picture of your business. How do you do that? Look at your site as if you were seeking a job with your company. • Go online and Google yourself. See what your business looks like to an outsider. Do the same for any local competitors. Note which presence is more attractive and likely to draw interest from the area’s best job seekers. • Just entering the social media realm? Do your research. Find out where the business community is sharing information, especially those in your industry. Consider your best avenues of digital communication based on your findings. • Fight the urge to be present on every social media channel. Use one or two, and use them well. It takes time to effectively manage each avenue, and your time should be spent on quality, not quantity. • No matter the channel you use (website, blog, Facebook, LinkedIn) always share the core values of your company and why people love working there. The business culture is highly valued by younger generations, so be sure to communicate it with accuracy and honesty.

BAY BIZ | APRIL - JUNE 2015

For Job Seekers

Experts suggest nearly 45% of all employers research candidates on social media channels, and more than 30% of employers reject job seekers based on their findings. Your social conduct is a clear reflection of your personality. Like it or not, your social conduct can weigh heavily on your success as a job seeker. Start now to clean up the image and build a more professional presence. Here are a few tips to get you started: • Conduct a simple Google search of yourself. You may be surprised to find that the full picture isn’t as professional and polished as you believed. Work through the list of results to better present a professional image. • Facebook: Review your privacy settings. You can determine who sees your status, photos and posts and even your political/ religious views. It’s a good idea to restrict viewing permissions to “Friends Only” during your job search. • LinkedIn: A profile on LinkedIn is critical to your job seeking success, as most employers do utilize this channel to seek out candidates. If you don’t have one, get one, or if it’s incomplete, update it. Your LinkedIn profile allows you to post a professional photo of yourself, write a respectable bio, and connect with other industry professionals. • EmployFlorida: The CareerSource network for employers and job seekers is based in a statewide database located at EmployFlorida.com. Register here to be connected to all employment opportunities statewide. Be sure that your resume and skill set on our site is the same as the information you’ve posted elsewhere, including LinkedIn.

Special Note for the Business Community

One of our biggest employment events of the year is just around the corner. The 2015 Career Expo is set for Thursday, May 14, at the Panama City Mall. Hundreds of resume-ready career professionals will be onsite to talk with you about current openings. Don’t miss the opportunity to meet these exceptional candidates. Reserve your spot today by emailing us at customerservice@careersourcegc.com, or call the CareerSource Gulf Coast Job Center at 850-872-4340. Keep in touch with us at www.careersourcegc.com.

Dive in TO

SUMMER

STEM CAMPS

AT FSU PANAMA CITY

HIGH SCHOOL SCUBA LAB (AGES 15+) SCUBA certification and marine science course JUNE 8-12 & 15-19, 8:30 A.M. - 3:30 P.M., COST: $527

STEM CAMP FOR RISING 8TH GRADERS Work with professionals on robotics, electronics, coding, environmental studies and chemistry JUNE 15-19, 8:30 A.M. - 3:30 P.M., COST: FREE

BAY EDUCATION FOUNDATION VEX CAMP FOR RISING 11TH & 12TH GRADERS Work with professionals to program VEX robots JUNE 22-15, 9 A.M. - 3 P.M., COST: FREE

STEM CAMP FOR RISING 9TH & 10TH GRADERS Work with professionals on robotics, electronics, chemistry, biology and habitat/ecosystem studies JULY 13-17, 8:30 A.M. - 3:30 P.M., COST: FREE

STEMINSTITUTE.ORG Details: Dr. John Smith, 850.770.2260, jsmith@pc.fsu.edu

If you are a member of the Bay County Chamber and would like to submit your business news to be published, email a press release, logo or photo to brittany@baychamberfl.com

Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport Silver Airways will be joining Southwest, Delta, and United at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) with nonstop service to Tampa International

Executive Director, Neal Wade, had accepted an opportunity with the University of Alabama. Hardin moved to Bay County from Columbus, Georgia, where she gained over 14 years of experience in economic development, with 13 of those years as Executive Vice President of the Greater Columbus, Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

da Senior Manager. She has more than 22 years experience managing design, permitting and construction processes including code compliance, discipline coordination, stakeholder interface and communication, and budget and constructability constraints on projects throughout the United States. At ZHA, she will be managing North-

Regions Bank

Airport (TPA), and Orlando International Airport (MCO), with daily roundtrip flights. Please help us in welcoming Silver to the Bay County community.

Regions Bank names Brandon Greve, City President for the Panama City market. Greve, with more than 15 years of banking experience, is the Consumer Sales Manager for Bay County, responsible

Bay County Economic Development Alliance The Bay County Economic Development Alliance (Bay EDA) has named Becca Hardin as President of the organization. Hardin joined the Bay EDA in October as Senior Vice President and was named

for 17 branches and approximately 120 associates, along with over $475 million in deposits, and $140 million in loan balances. Being a native of Panama City, he is committed to being involved in the community through organizations such as the American Cancer Society and Junior Achievement. ZHA Incorporated

Interim President in November when it was announced that then

BAY BIZ | APRIL - JUNE 2015

Rick Mellin, President and CEO of ZHA Incorporated, is pleased to announce that Jennifer Wolgamott recently joined ZHA as NW Flori-

west Florida operations, and providing senior project management and support for projects in the region. Wolgamott earned her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Rice University in Houston, Texas. She is a licensed architect in Florida and Nebraska and holds LEED Certification. Waste Pro Two Waste Pro drivers from Panama City, FL, Tommy Pituch and Ray Stephens, have been honored with a $10,000 Safety Award for their excellence in service and safety. Both men currently serve as â&#x20AC;&#x153;roll-offâ&#x20AC;? drivers, responsible for the collection of construction and demolition debris, and have been with Waste Pro since 2011. Pituch is a Bay County resident, while Ste-

phens resides in Calhoun County. Unique to the waste collection and disposal industry, Waste Pro’s Safety Program has distributed more than $1 million in Safety Awards to their drivers since the program’s creation in 2004. Community Bank Jake Mann has been promoted to Branch Operations Officer in the new Panama City Beach office of

ber mentoring community outreach and membership chairman leading to the Panama City Post’s calendar year 2014, Post Award and National Young Member nomination. The Society of American Military Engi-

experience. Black received his insurance license in 1982, with endorsements in Property and Casualty and Life/Health. In 1984, he

neers (SAME), the premier professional military engineering association in the United States, unites architecture, engineering, construction (A/E/C), facility management and environmental entities and individuals in the public and private sectors to prepare for – and overcome – natural and manmade disasters, and to improve security at home and abroad.

opened an Allstate Insurance office in Panama City, where he worked for the next 21 years. Black has an active license in Florida as well as several other states.

MaceTech Security Solutions

State Representative Jay Trumbull Newly elected State Representative Jay Trumbull from Florida District 6 toured AMIkids Panama City Ma-

Michael Mace of MaceTech Security Solutions recently earned the Community Bank. Mann joined Community Bank in August of 2014, and has been instrumental in the formation of the new bank location. He is a graduate of Florida State University, with a Bachelors of Arts degree. Active in the community, Mann is a member of the Bay County and Panama City Beach Chambers of Commerce, the Bay Young Professionals Steering Committee and the Beach Chamber HYPE Group. VBA Design Tiffany Castricone, AIA, LEED AP BC+D, Architect with VBA Design, was recently awarded Certificate of Appreciation by The Society of American Military Engineers, Panama City Post. Tiffany was honored for her outstanding support to Post Board of Director’s in young mem-

title of Kaspersky Lab Certified Professional. Last year, Mace completed the examinations and lab work to qualify as a Kaspersky Lab Certified Professional. With this certification, he is well prepared to implement the top critical security controls for any organizations. Peoples First Insurance Peoples First Insurance welcomes Bill Black to their team. He brings with him 32 years of insurance

rine Institute. Representative Trumbull was interested to hear that AMIkids PCMI serves kids that are on probation, kids that are expelled from other public schools and even students who are at risk to drop out due to being a year or more behind in school.

Have a submission for the Biz List? Please contact Brittany Cole at 850-215-3755.

BAY BIZ | APRIL - JUNE 2015

We're Going Red to Save Lives

Pictured from left to right: Front Row - Jesse Webb, ARNP-C; Ariel Perry, PA-C; Cathy Rodes, ARNP-C; Karen Williams, ARNP-C; Brittany Gibbens, ARNP-C; Michael Morrow, M.D.; Bussie Evans, M.D. Second row - Carla Cole, ARNP-C; Thompson Maner, M.D.; Hashem Mubarak, M.D.; Michael Stokes, M.D.; Samir Patel, M.D.; Third row - Amir Haghighat, M.D.; Shelly Busch, ARNP-C; Matthew Rumbough, ARNP-C; Hari Baddigam, M.D.; J.L. Trantham, M.D.; Tripp Shipman, PA-C

Did You Know?

• 1 in 3 Women will die of Heart Disease or Stroke. • Heart Disease & Stroke kill more women than all cancers combined. • Symptoms of heart disease are sometimes different in women than they are in men. • Women may experience back, jaw, or arm pain; nausea or indigestion; sweating; shortness of breath; fatigue; with or without chest pain or pressure.

We're going red to spread awareness of heart disease in women and to save lives in our community. Because women's symptoms can be different, they often dismiss the warning signs as stress, aging, or other common ailments and do not seek help early. While more men have heart attacks, more women die from them. Our advice: Seek medical attention right away when something isn't right. Take the time to eat a healthy diet and exercise. If you smoke, stop. Get regular check-ups and monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol. Know your family history of heart disease. As the region's leader in heart and vascular care, we're continually working to bring you the latest treatments to fight heart disease. But the fight starts first with you. Up to 80 percent of heart attacks and strokes can be prevented. Take care of your health and learn to recognize the warning signs. And when you need help, we're here. Together, we can save lives. We can make heart disease history!

Accepting New Patients Call (850)769-0329 w w w. c ard i ovasc ularinst it ute.co m

Main Office: 801 E. 6th St., Floors 4&5, Panama CIty, FL • Now with offices in Panama City Beach and Marianna

Who deserves recognition? Nominate them for your Better Business Bureau® Foundation’s: •Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics •Customer Service Excellence Award •Student Ethics Scholarship

Deadline: March 27, 2015 bbb.org/nwfl/TorchAward

Many young professionals are enthusiastic about area business and community opportunities and are ready to get involved as new leaders. Bay Young Professionals (BYP) was formed by the Bay County Chamber of Commerce to specifically address the needs of this age group to enrich our community by uniting, developing and retaining our future leaders. If you are interested in becoming part of the Bay Young Professionals (BYP) group, contact Elizabeth Smith at 850-215-3761 or elizabeth@baychamberfl.com. Photos by: Desiree Gardner Photography

Al Sauline Al Sauline is a private practice Criminal Defense attorney in downtown Panama City. His self-owned practice is focused on Criminal Defense matters and Civil Traffic Citations, such as speeding tickets. He received his JD from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law in 2004 as well as his BS from Youngstown State University in 2000, graduating with honors in Political Science while holding minors in both Criminal Justice and Sociology. He is currently licensed to practice in Florida, Ohio, Washington, D.C., and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida. Sauline was born and raised in NE Ohio as the son and grandson of two mayors of Hubbard, Ohio. The values of hard work and giving to others were instilled with him at a young age. Sauline has served this community as President of the Bay County Bar Association in 2010, member of the Florida Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Board of Governors from 2008-2012 and 2013-2014, as President of the Regional Board of Directors for Catholic Charities of NW Florida â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Panama City Region in 2011/ 2012, and as VP of the Panama City Lions Club.

Ashley Smith An avid NY Yankees fan, Ashley Smith was born and raised in Albany, NY. Married for 11 years, she and her husband have lived in North Carolina, Guam, and four years in Panama City. Smith currently serves as the Campus Director for Tyndall and Tallahassee campuses for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She is passionate about helping students pursue higher educational goals. Being a remote location, she is tasked with a wide array of responsibilities including, but not limited to: student advising, advertising, budgeting, and outreach. She is able to provide the same services that would be found at a large institution. Smith holds an MBA and serves as a member of the Bay Young Professionals, Education Committee, an auxiliary member with the American Legion, a member of the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce, leads a Financial Peace University group and is active in Northstar Church. She and her husband enjoy traveling and have visited Fiji, Saipan, Australia, and South Korea. Smith also enjoys training for 5Ks and spending time with their dogs, Lola and Bonita.

BAY BIZ | APRIL - JUNE 2015

The Emergency Room is no longer your only opď&#x20AC;&#x2DC;on. If you wish to escape the long waits and do not have a life threatening injury, consider visiď&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ng The Village Health Center.

Florida Department of Health in Bay County www.baycountyhealth.org

For a complete and up to date list of all Chamber activities, including committee meetings, visit our website at www.PanamaCity.org

April

May

June

3rd

1st

5th

FSU Panama City Holley Academic Center (4750 Collegiate Drive)

First Friday*

Networking: 7:15 a.m. / Program 8:00 a.m. Sponsored by: United Way of Northwest Florida

14th

“How to Make Safety Work in Your Company” Webinar Online

12:00 p.m. Sponsored by: Embry Riddle Aeronautical University

16th

“Customer Service at its Best” Seminar Bay County Public Library (898 West 11th Street) 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Networking: 7:15 a.m. / Program 8:00 a.m.

Sponsored by: VBA Designs & BaySolutions