Bay Biz Vol 7/ Issue 1 (January - March) by Bay County Chamber of Commerce

january - march 2017

10 8 18 20 departments

ECONOMIC PROFILE

Election 2016: Meet Your Elected Leaders

WORKFORCE CONNECTION

18 EDUCATION

BIZ LIST

CHAMBER EVENTS CALENDAR

Connecting Students to Employment Opportunities

NEW MEMBERS

MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

OUT & ABOUT

POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE

DEFENSE INTEL 2017 Gulf Coast Salute

features 10

COVER STORY

ALERT BAY INFORMATION

Eastern Shipbuilding Partners with Coast Guard on $10 Billion Deal

FIRST RESPONDER APPRECIATION AWARD WINNERS

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PUBLISHER Carol Roberts EXECUTIVE EDITOR Taylor Smith CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Carol Roberts Brittany Cole Taylor Smith Brandi DeRuiter Elizabeth Smith Valerie Sale Kim Bodine Will Cramer LAYOUT & DESIGN

getgorgeo.us | 850-888-8GRG COVER Rendering of the Offshore Patrol Cutter by Eastern Shipbuilding Group CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Office of Rick Scott, Eastern Shipbuilding, Sean Brosnan, Valerie Sale, Brittany Cole, Taylor Smith, and Eastern Shipbuilding BAY BIZ MAGAZINE c/o Bay County Chamber of Commerce 235 W. 5th Street Panama City, FL 32401 850.785.5206 information@baychamberfl.com www.panamacity.org facebook.com/baychamberfl twitter.com/baychamberfl

The Bay Biz is published quarterly by the Bay County Chamber of Commerce, 235 W. 5th Street, Panama City, FL 32401 850.785.5206 POSTMASTER send address changes to: Bay County Chamber, 235 W. 5th Street, Panama City, FL 32401 or email taylor@baychamberfl.com. The Bay Biz welcomes story ideas from its readers. Email to taylor@baychamberfl.com. To request additional copies, contact 850.785.5206.

Bay Front Lots Now Available www.DRHorton.com/Florida/Panama-City Pictures, photographs, colors, features, and sizes are for illustration purposes only and will vary from the homes as built. Home and community information including pricing, OPPORTUNITY included features, terms, availability and amenities are subject to change and prior sale at any time without notice or obligation. Contact a D.R. Horton sales representative for details. Â©2016 D.R. Horton, Inc. | Registered Building Contractor License # RB29003330. EQUAL HOUSING

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Whoa! Where did 2016 go? Under the leadership of Chairman of the Board, Robert Carroll, your Bay County Chamber had an amazing year. Let’s recap a few of the Chamber’s 2016 successes: The Chamber set a goal to reach the 1,000 member mark and we now have 1,014; won 2016 Chamber of the Year for the State of Florida (for the third time); won three Communications Awards for the state; obtained Certified Plus status with the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals (FACP); ran the successful campaign “Building A Better Bay” and voters supported the ½ cent Infrastructure Surtax that will generate over $20M each year to improve our community. Robert did an outstanding job separating his political aspirations from his leadership position with us and also run-

ning his business, all while finding time for his family. This was certainly my first time experiencing a Chairman of the Board running for a political office, but I think we did a great job in separating the two. Best part is, we are proud he is now a Bay County Commissioner. Congrats Robert and thank you for all you do for the Chamber and this entire community. Well, 2017 is here and we are off and running on our 104th year. On January 20th, we will have our Annual Dinner & Awards Ceremony where Robert will officially pass the gavel to Claire Sherman, your 2017 Chair of the Board. The evening will celebrate 2016 successes, recognize our Member of the Year and the highlight will be the announcement of the Lauren Merriam Memorial Award recipient. It’s all a secret, so be sure to make your reservations to see firsthand who our honorees are. Claire is excited about the coming year. We have everything lined up and have hit the ground running. New board members are in place, board planning session is done, the business plan and budget are in place, committee chairs have been selected and the Legislative Agenda is complete. In addition, we have an

aggressive plan to reach the 1,100 member mark in 2017 and I have no doubt we can obtain that goal. Just like most businesses, we certainly went through a slump during the downturn, but we are coming back strong and have a financially stable organization. In this issue, you will see a complete list of our officers and the board of directors. Our cover story on Eastern Shipbuilding Group is a must read. The award of the U.S. Coast Guard contract is a game changer for Bay County, and the entire state, as they have now put us on the radar for further diversification of our economy. I would like to pause to recognize the staff at the Chamber. So often I fail to bring attention to the driving force and the glue that keeps this organization together. We are fortunate to have a group of individuals that aren’t just here because it’s a job. They are here because they truly care about the organization and this community. This team will be the first to step up to the plate no matter the challenge I throw in front of them. They are also the first to defend the organization in any arena. We jokingly called ourselves “Chamber Chicks,” but it has a special meaning to each of us. We have a team that is certainly a force to be reckoned with, and thanking them just isn’t enough for the hundreds of meetings, events, campaigns and so much more that they manage. We do thank you, the members, for allowing us the opportunity to serve you. I know we can build a better Bay! I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Brittany Cole’s departure. Brittany accepted a position at Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center as their Marketing Director and I couldn’t be more proud of her. Brittany was a wonderful asset to our organization and we will certainly miss her! We wish you the best for a prosperous new year!

Carol Roberts 6

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political perspective Election 2016:

Meet Your Elected Leaders by: Brandi DeRuiter, Vice President of Governmental Affairs, Bay County Chamber of Commerce

Novemberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s General Election did not only elect a new president, but also elected many new officials who will represent Bay County on a local, state, and national level. Here are some newly elected officials in Florida and Bay County, and what they have pledged to do in office this term: United States Representative District 2 Neal Dunn, MD. Congressman Neal Dunn is humbled to have been given the opportunity to serve the people of Florida's Second District by representing our conservative values in Washington. He pledges to work to get our economy going again, repeal Obamacare, cut spending, stop illegal immigration, protect the 2nd Amendment and rebuild our military. 8

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State Senate District 2 George Gainer Senator George Gainer has represented Bay County in the capacity of County Commissioner for the past 14 years. As Senator, Gainer will take time to listen to the people of Northwest Florida, identify their needs and work to ensure a positive impact is felt in every county in his district. He will concentrate the fight to ensure Northwest Florida receives the BP oil spill funding as intended. As State Senator, he will ensure the voice of Northwest Florida does not fall on deaf ears. Gainer says no one will work harder to make sure this area receives the attention from Tallahassee that it deserves. County Commission District 1 Tommy Hamm Commissioner Tommy Hamm plans to promote effective, efficient government, spend our money wisely and advance free market principles. Hamm looks forward to serving Bay County over the next four years, and being part of making our community a great place to live.

County Commission District 2 Robert Carroll Commissioner Carroll plans to focus on creating job growth opportunities and preserving our natural resources, while maintaining lower taxes for the continued success of Bay County. Carroll understands the importance of our military, tourism and the need to promote industry and job growth for our future generations. County Commission District 5 Philip “Griff” Griffitts Commissioner Griffitts plans to concentrate on quality of life issues, increasing our outdoor community amenities and reducing traffic congestion on local roads. Griffitts will also focus attention on raising salaries and wages for our local workforce to diversify employment opportunities. Diversifying employment opportunities will allow for upward employment mobility and help create new business sectors resulting in new jobs. Tax Collector Chuck Perdue Chuck Perdue has pledged to greatly reduce wait times through professional development of team members and embracing the latest technology. Perdue also plans to implement conceal carry application processing. Adding this service will also help keep money in Bay County that is currently going to other counties. Perdue brings 20 years of professional tax consulting experience to the Bay County Tax Collectors office and has provided tax service to over 100 Fortune 500 companies.

Re-Elected Officials United States Senate Marco Rubio (REP) State Representative District 6 Jay Trumbull (REP) County Commission District 3 Bill Dozier (REP) Supervisor of Elections Mark Andersen (REP) Superintendent Bill Husfelt (REP) Clerk of Court Bill Kinsaul (REP) Property Appraiser: Dan Sowell (REP) Thank you to all of our elected officials for giving their time and helping to build a better Bay County!

Sheriff Tommy Ford Sheriff Tommy Ford is committed to the Bay County Sheriff’s Department mission and will continue to be relentless against criminal activity, compassionate to victims, responsive to citizens, and will work with our community to keep Bay County safe. Fighting against illegal drugs and their devastating effects on individuals, families, and the community will continue to be his first priority. Sheriff Ford also believes it is his responsibility to take care of the men and women that keep us safe and will work to make sure they have the physical, mental and emotional resources to deal with the demands of this job.

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BY: LISA BARNES

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS EASTERN SHIPBUILDING GROUP

is fitting that in the year of the 75th anniversary of Wainwright Shipyard, the first shipyard in Panama City, Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG), secured the contract to build the first series of nine Offshore Patrol Cutters as part of the largest procurement in U.S. Coast Guard history. The Coast Guard program’s goal is to build twenty-five vessels. The total potential contract value is more than $10 billion dollars. The Coast Guard conducted a detailed evaluation of all the Offshore Patrol Cutter proposals based on technical, management, producibility, and price factors. Producibility and price were very important to the Coast Guard. Producibility depends on the characteristics and design features that enable economical fabrication and assembly. ESG was successful in securing this contract based on its reputation as an industry leader and its unequalled record of on-time and on-budget deliveries. Senator Bill Nelson and Admiral Paul Zukunft recently visited ESG. Admiral Zukunft said, “The Offshore Patrol Cutter will meet our long-term needs for cutters capable of deploying independently or as part of task groups in the offshore zones. These cutters will be essential in meeting maritime threats of the 21st century. What you build, what you create is going to project our Nation’s sovereignty across the world and you own a big piece of this.”

dent on Government-funded cost-plus programs. As an industry leader in the construction of mid-range tonnage commercial vessels, ESG has delivered vessels to more than 20 different customers since 2002. In the past 10 years, all but one vessel was delivered on or before contracted schedule and all were delivered at the contracted price using firm-fixed price contracts exclusively. ESG has delivered vessels, ranging from 80’ to 433’ length overall, some with complexity equal to or greater than the Offshore Patrol Cutters.

ESG’s success in the highly competitive, cost-conscious commercial shipbuilding market distinguishes them from other shipyards depen-

Brian and Mimi D’Isernia have been richly blessed with 10 children and 13 grandchildren. All of Brian and Mimi’s six sons work at the

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Brian D’Isernia, owner and founder, opened ESG’s first shipyard in 1976 to build commercial fishing boats. Brian came to Panama City as a sword fisherman and discovered that to get the kind of fishing vessels he wanted, he would have to build them himself. By 1980, ESG had delivered 26 commercial fishing vessels, then expanded its capabilities and is now one of the most diverse vessel construction companies because of it’s state of the art equipment and fabrication process. Included in ESG’s portfolio are: offshore supply vessels, tugs, articulated tug barges, towboats, passenger vessels, passenger ferries, fireboats, research vessels, offshore construction vessels, dredges, fishing vessels and more.

shipyard. In 2015, son Joseph took over as President of the company, with Brian remaining as Chief Executive Officer. Sons Brian Jr., Luke, Matthew, and Patrick work as project managers, and son Brendan is a financial analyst on the Offshore Patrol Cutter Team. The executive management team has been with ESG for many years. Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Ken Munroe joined ESG in 1979 as the Outfitting Superintendent, and has been in his present position since 2011. Other longtime ESG employees in corporate management positions include Chief Financial Officer Scott Colemere, who joined in 1984, and Vice President of Sales & Marketing Stephen Berthold, who joined in 2002. The shipyard General Managers, Benny Bramblette and Justin Smith, have been employees since 1982 and 2001 respectively.

OVER 100 EMPLOYEES HAVE WORKED FOR THE COMPANY FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS, 50 HAVE BEEN WITH ESG FOR MORE THAN 15 YEARS AND 20 EMPLOYEES HAVE HELPED BUILD THE COMPANY FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS. ESG provides competitive wages and benefits to employees and opportunities for training to ESG's workforce. The shipyard trains welders, pipe welders and ship fitters. Partnerships with Haney Technical School and CareerSource also help make training available to students to develop skills needed to work at the shipyard. There is still a shortage of welders, pipefitters and other high-demand skilled workers. While there are many examples of how working at ESG provides a career path, one of ESG’s employees started at the shipyard as a welder trainee, was promoted to a welder supervisor 19 months after completing welding training and within 6 years has become a superintendent responsible for more than 100 welders and pipe welders. Another started his career at ESG as a painter helper. He worked hard and increased his knowledge and five years later is now a foreman with responsibilities for more than 40 employees. These are just two examples of what people can achieve working at ESG.

SINCE 2005 ESG’S TWO BAY COUNTY SHIPYARDS HAVE GROWN FROM 259 EMPLOYEES TO MORE THAN 1400. THE U.S. MARITIME ADMINISTRATION ECONOMIC STUDY INDICATES THAT FOR EVERY SHIPYARD JOB THERE ARE 4 ANCILLARY JOBS CREATED. In the United States, in 2013 (last data available), there were 110,390 shipbuilding jobs, but the total impact on the economy was 399,420 jobs. This includes shipbuilding jobs, ancillary jobs and induced capital investment jobs. Shipbuilding contributed to the economy in Florida with 20,500 jobs. There were 4,890 direct jobs, 6,890 indirect, and 8,720 induced capital investment jobs. Besides employment, ESG also gives back to the community. OneBlood conducts two annual blood drives, and ESG employees donated 754 units of blood during the two drives. In the spring, ESG holds the annual Charity Fishing Tournament, with proceeds benefiting the Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, and also the annual Golf Tournament, with proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.

SENATOR BILL NELSON AND ADMIRAL PAUL ZUKUNFT RECENTLY VISITED ESG TO TOUR THEIR OPERATIONS FIRSTHAND.

FLORIDA GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT STOPPED BY TO CONGRATULATE EASTERN SHIPBUILDING STAFF.

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ALERT BAY BY: VALERIE SALE, BAY COUNTY PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER

Hurricane evacuation, an active shooter, an out-of-control wildfire – these are just a few examples of situations that may warrant the activation of the county’s new Alert Bay emergency notification system. Bay County officials, along with representatives from several of the county’s municipalities and the Sheriff ’s Office (BCSO), announced the new software late last year, and encouraged all Bay County residents to go online and enroll. Only two days after the initial rollout, a roughly 100-acre wildfire in Callaway prompted the evacuation of more than 40 residents in the area. The event also provided an unexpected opportunity to try out the new system. “To me, the most important aspect of Alert Bay is the ability for us to target a specific area for notification during an emergency,” said Joby Smith, Bay County Emergency Management Chief. During the fire, several dozen people living nearby were kept current on the status of the blaze via the system’s geo-graphing capabilities. “Notifications can be so prevalent these days that people become sort of immune to them,” Smith said. “We don’t want to just blast out information to everyone if only those in specific areas are the ones who need it. But, if people don’t sign up, we can’t do that.” Currently, the system has access to publicly listed landlines in the county, but the number of households using those continues to decline,

engendering the need for users to provide additional information to ensure they get notified. Visitors to www.alertbay.org can designate several other means by which they may be reached, including cell numbers, personal or work emails or work phone numbers. Users can also opt-in to weather notifications, although flood and tornado warnings are required. These notifications can target specific locations based on data provided by the citizen when they sign up. Multiple locations, including a user’s home, work, children’s school, relatives’ and friends’ addresses may be entered. All information provided to the system is private and cannot be shared. The system also provides citizens with a free downloadable app called “ContactBridge” whereby users may receive alerts and provide information pictures and reports to the Emergency Operations Center. The app may also be used to change contact information or update the types of notifications received, though the app may not be used for the initial registration to Alert Bay. Alert Bay is a partnership between Bay County Emergency Services, the BCSO and the municipalities. The state of Florida Emergency Management Division funded the program entirely through 2019 with plans to extend it further. It’s value would reach several hundreds of thousands of dollars had it been purchased by each individual entity in Bay County. When signing up, users can select cities from which they wish to receive alerts along with the countywide emergency notifications. “This system is only as good as the number of users we have signed up,” Smith said. Since the rollout, several thousand people have signed up for Alert Bay notifications, but Smith said he hopes that number grows significantly in the coming months. “If you don’t sign up, you might miss important information, and it could literally be the difference between life and death,” Smith said.

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education Connecting Students to Employment Opportunities by: Will Cramer, Bill Cramer Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC and Chairman, BCCC Education Committee

he thought of life after high school graduation, while exciting, can also be overwhelming and daunting at best for many students. So often, these young people who are nearing completion of their high school career are presented with few options for success outside of pursuing a higher education. In comes the Bay Chamber Foundation's Annual Career Connections event. “We know there are many students who are simply not interested in traditional college, and there is no shame in that,” said Elizabeth Smith, VP of Events/Foundation for the Bay County Chamber of Commerce. Every year, the Chamber Foundation's Education Committee in conjunction with Bay District Schools, organizes and hosts the annual event for high schoolers from Bay County. This event gives these stu-

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dents the chance to explore career opportunities of interest to them by putting them in front of various individuals from a variety of different career fields. The careers highlighted were specifically chosen because they do not require a four-year degree from a traditional college. Instead, many require abbreviated training by way of certification, licensure, or technical training. The goal of this event is to educate these students on the variety of careers available to them right here in Bay County; careers they could make successful for themselves shortly after high school. “There are many students who have no idea about the opportunities right here in Bay County,” said one student in attendance. The goal of this event is to inform, educate, and prepare these students as they stare down the barrel of their future.

In order to prepare for this event, the Education Committee and Chamber staff worked for several months alongside Bay District Schools to identify students who might be interested in pursuing careers after high school not requiring a four-year degree. After those students were identified, they were asked to complete a survey so we could better understand their particular interests. Once the ranges of interest were identified, the Education Committee began recruiting individuals from the fields of social services, professional services, arts, industry and medical. “Our goal was to ensure each career field had speakers who would engage the students based on their interests,” said Smith. The medical group heard from individuals in the fields of massage therapy, surgical technology, imaging, physical therapy, nursing and dental. The social services room heard from a variety of law enforcement officers and first responders to include fish and wildlife, fire, and police as well as a teacher, social worker and child care professional. The arts group heard from a photographer, graphic designer, chef, interior designer, and individuals from the fields of performing arts, cosmetology, and advertising/marketing, while the professional services group heard from a banking/loan officer, real estate professional, computer networker, administrative assistant, paralegal, entrepreneur, as well as individuals specializing in restaurant management and engineering/surveying. The industry group heard presentations from the fields of aircraft mechanic/technician, automotive repair/service, construction, manufacturing, welding, electrical/HVAC, and project management/road construction. “I learned a lot and feel a lot more confident,” said one student as he completed our participation evaluation. Beyond the insight and knowledge the students gained by having small group interaction with these career professionals, the students also heard from Dr. John Holdnak, President of Gulf Coast State College, to welcome the students to campus; Isi Og-

wude, School and Community Relations Coordinator, for tips on how to properly dress for success in the workplace; Jennifer Gray from CareerSource on filling out an application and resume; Maria Goodwin and Sharon Whatley from CareerSource on tips for successful interviewing; as well as military recruiters who shared information on how to serve our nation. As one student in attendance put it, “some students need guidance and push to pursue their desired career”, while another said, “[Career Connections] offers insight that most websites cannot.” We would like to thank our sponsors who made this event possible: Innovations Federal Credit Union, Coldwell Banker Carroll Realty, Reliant South Construction Group, Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Troy University, Gulf Coast State College, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Bay District Schools.

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Emplo

Position

defense intel 2017 Gulf Coast Salute by: Colonel Michael F. Hernandez, Commander, 325th Fighter Wing

n behalf of the more than 5,000 Airmen of Team Tyndall, it is my pleasure to invite you to the 2017 Gulf Coast Salute Open House and Air Show on April 2223, 2017. The base gates will open at 9 a.m. each day; Admission and parking are both absolutely free. Tyndall is the “Home of Air Dominance,” and after watching the air show, you will know exactly how and why we got our name. For this year’s show, we have pulled out all the stops, and will feature performances by the Thunderbirds, the F-22 demonstration team, WWII Japanese Tora Tora Tora reenactments, B-40’s, P-51’s, B-25’s, Jelly Bellies, and many more. The Thunderbirds are the premier air demonstration squadron of the United States Air Force (USAF) and are based at Nellis AFB, Nevada. The squadron tours the United States and much

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of the world, performing aerobatic formation and solo flying in 6 specially marked F-16C Fighting Falcons. The name is taken from the legendary creature that appears in the mythology of several indigenous North American cultures. The demonstration team was founded in 1953, and continues to inspire young men and women nationwide to serve in the armed forces. Our goal for the Gulf Coast Salute is that you and your families leave with an experience of a lifetime and with a better understanding of Tyndall, our mission and the Airmen who make it happen every day. We look forward to showing you, and all our community partners, how much we appreciate your friendship and support. Without you, we could not accomplish our mission to “Train and Project Unrivaled Combat Air Power.”

Time and Entry Info Admission is FREE and gates open at 9:00 a.m. Air Show begins at 11:00 a.m. Thunderbird perform Approximately 3:30 p.m. Visitors will be directed to parking areas. Shuttle bus transportation will be provided from the parking areas to the flight line. Please pay attention to all signs and announcements.

Prohibited Items All bags will be briefly inspected and all individuals are subject to search. The following items are not permitted: •

Backpacks, ice chests and coolers

•

Any bags larger than a small purse or fanny pack this includes duffel bags, briefcases and large camera bags.

•

ALL weapons

•

Alcoholic beverages

•

Pets (other than service animals)

•

Glass containers

•

Bicycles, roller skates, roller blades or skateboards

•

Illegal drugs

Allowed Items The following items are allowed: •

Cell phones

•

Small fanny packs and purses

•

Cameras and video recorders

•

Folding chairs and lawn chairs (chairs in bags are subject to search)

•

Umbrellas and sunshades

• Wheelchairs •

Baby bags and strollers, if attending with an infant or small child.

Helpful tips: Unaccompanied children will be taken to a “lost parent” area. If anyone in your party requires medical attention, notify security or air show workers. They will be able to contact on-call medical personnel. Food, beverages, and souvenirs will be available for purchase at the show. Smoking will be in designated areas only. Wear comfortable footwear, the flight line is paved and may require long walking distances. For further information, visit www.gulfcoastsalute.com. Written material and photo credit: USAF. B AY B I Z

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economic profile

EDA INSIGHTS

an update from Bay EDA by Becca Hardin, President

current labor statistics for Bay County

LABOR FORCE

EMPLOYED

UNEMPLOYED

UNEMPLOYED RATE

SEP 16

88,345

84,131

4,214

4.8%

OCT 16

87,059

82,829

4,230

4.9%

NOV 16

86,363

82,024

4,339

5.0%

SEPT 15

86,884

82,560

4,324

5.0%

OCT 15

86,695

82,445

4,250

4.9%

NOV 15

85,081

80,654

4,427

5.2%

real estate sales EXISTING SINGLE FAMILY HOMES

REALTOR SALES

MEDIAN PRICE

REALTOR SALES

MEDIAN PRICE

SEP 16

286

$189,000

22,704

$222,500

OCT 16

272

$182,000

20,194

$220,000

NOV 16

SEPT 15

281

$180,000

22,813

$199,900

OCT 15

254

$185,000

21,328

$197,000

NOV 15

223

$177,000

17,523

$199,990

CONDO - TOWNHOME SALES SEP 16

100

$215,000

8,818

$160,000

OCT 16

121

$206,000

7,955

$161,000

NOV 16

SEPT 15

117

$192,500

9,179

$150,000

OCT 15

120

$207,000

9,067

$149,000

NOV 15

114

$227,750

7,487

$150,000

Bay County building permits

RESIDENTIAL

COMMERCIAL

SEP 16

OCT 16

NOV 16

JUN 15

JUL 15

AUG 15

Bay County sales tax collections

GROSS SALES

TAXABLE SALES

TAX COLLECTIONS

SEP 16

$721,256,235

$479,604,426

$28,577,762

OCT 16

$617,356,098

$376,580,569

$22,710,348

NOV 16

$684,771,905

$354,937,925

$19,867,787

SEPT 15

$727,492,654

$438,584,370

$26,369,954

OCT 15

$586,335,772

$321,940,227

$19,442,732

NOV 15

$599,352,102

$299,611,599

$18,481,229

B AY B I Z

JA N UA RY - M A RC H 2017

2016 was an exciting year for the leadership and staff of the Bay Economic Development Alliance! Here are a few notable items from this past year: Three of our existing companies announced plans for positive growth. This great news for our local economy means our public and private sector leaders have created a business climate that fosters success for our companies. In August, Dave Dyell, CEO and Founder of Jellyfish Health announced the company will be adding 100 new jobs over the next three years. These are high tech jobs that have an average annual wage of $70,000 which is double the current average wage in Bay County. In September, it was announced that Eastern Shipbuilding won a contract with the U.S. Coast Guard spanning multiple years to construct the next generation of Offshore Patrol Cutters. Simon Nield, President of Jensen USA, announced an expansion of their Lynn Haven operations. The company committed to creating 25 new jobs over the next two years and has already created 26 new jobs in this year alone! Aside from helping existing industry with their expansion plans, the Bay EDA team marketed to businesses around the globe by participating in trade shows, site selection consultant missions, and other marketing missions with Enterprise Florida, our state economic development organization, and Floridaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Great Northwest, our regional economic development organization. As a direct result, the Bay EDA team submitted 25 formal proposals to site selection consultants and companies looking for a new operating location. More than 15 of those proposals were submitted to prospects generated by the EDA, through our own efforts. We also hosted 11 site visits by company executives, site selection consultants and foreign dignitaries to show them what Bay County has to offer. Once we get someone to Bay County, Bay County sells itself! We wish you a prosperous New Year and we are excited for what is to come in 2017!

October - December 2016 Demographic Snapshot Bay County Population: 181,635 Median Age: 40 Labor Force: 87,575 Average Wage: $34,776

Households: 67,388 Household Income: $47,274 Per Capita Income: $24,937

Bay County bed tax collections

PANAMA CITY BEACH

MEXICO BEACH

PANAMA CITY

AUG 16

$1,671,868

$48,664

$108,223

AUG 15

$1,745,766

$49,692

$118,071

% CHANGE

-4.23

-2.07

-8.34

SEPT 16

$1,422,161

$48,348

$99,494

SEPT 15

$1,323,524

$55,250

$95,908

% CHANGE

7.45

-12.49

3.74

OCT 16

$1,312,929

$42,846

$112,754

OCT 15

$1,043,944

$34,987

$94,571

% CHANGE

25.77

22.46

19.23

Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport passenger traffic

TOTAL PASSENGERS

COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS

AUG 16

78,629

1,134

SEPT 16

73,080

1,241

OCT 16

82,078

1,159

AUG 15

86,622

1,387

SEPT 15

74,677

1,063

OCT 15

78,887

1,286

National, state & local unemployment rate (Jan 1990 to Jan 2016) 16.0

14.0

12.0

10.0

8.0

Florida US Bay County

6.0

4.0

2.0

Jan-16

Jan-15

Jan-14

Jan-13

Jan-12

Jan-11

Jan-10

Jan-09

Jan-08

Jan-07

Jan-06

Jan-05

Jan-04

Jan-03

Jan-02

Jan-01

Jan-00

Jan-99

Jan-98

Jan-97

Jan-96

Jan-95

Jan-94

Jan-93

Jan-92

Jan-91

Jan-90

0.0

B AY B I Z

JA N UA RY - M A RC H 2017

On October 28th, the Bay County Chamber of Commerce and Tyndall Federal Credit Union held the 6th Annual First Responders Appreciation Luncheon. Local Law Enforcement, Fire, EMS, and Dispatch personnel were honored at FSU Panama City. Chief Marc Bashoor served as the Keynote Speaker for the event. Chief Bashoor’s fire service and emergency management background spans 35 years, from the Fire Service in Prince George’s County Maryland to County Director for Emergency Management, Homeland Security/911 in Mineral County West Virginia, and then back to be appointed to the position of Chief of Department for the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department (PGFD). Marc served as an adjunct instructor, then Observer/Controller with the Texas A&M, National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center from 2004 to 2009. He is currently an adjunct instructor with the Regional Education Service Agency in Martinsburg, West Virginia, where he has been providing Incident Command System training to the United States Veterans Administration.

Awards were given in the categories of First Responder of the Year for Fire, Law Enforcement, Dispatch, and EMS.

Firefighter Paul Hagen, First Responder of the Year - Fire receipient

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JA N UA RY - M A RC H 2017

LT. Mitch Pitts, Cpl. Paul Atwell, Officer Tyler Hill, Officer Donald Thomason, and Detective Ray Perkins, First Responder of the Year Law Enforcement recipients

Communications Specialist Dana Hebner, First Responder of the Year - Dispatch receipient

Firefighter Paul Hagen, received the First Responder of the Year for Fire. LT. Mitch Pitts, Cpl. Paul Atwell, Officer Tyler Hill, Officer Donald Thomason, and Detective Ray Perkins were all awarded with First Responder of the Year for Law Enforcement. First Responder of the Year for Dispatch went to Communication Specialist Dana Hebner. Medic Bridgette Whatley was awarded with First Responder of the Year for EMS. Congratulations to all the First Responders who were nominated for the awards by their departments or family members.

Medic Bridgette Whatley, First Responder of the Year EMS receipient

A special appreciation video was shown produced by the Bay County Chamber of Commerce and WMBB-TV. The video features local officials and First Responders. To view the project, visit PanamaCity.org. Thank you to Perry & Young for your sponsorship of this piece. A challenge coin was placed at the seat of everyone in attendance, and boxes were sent to each department in Bay County to thank First Responders for their service. The donation of coins was made possible by Gulf Coast State College and Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center. Special thanks to our sponsors: Presenting Sponsor: Tyndall Federal Credit Union; Keynote Speaker Sponsor: Bay Medical Sacred Heart; Lasik For Heroes Sponsor: The Eye Center of North Florida; Award Sponsor: Emerald Coast Hospice; Coin Sponsors: Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center and Gulf Coast State College and Video Sponsor: Perry and Young and WMBB. Gold Sponsor: Superior Residences.

The LASIK for Local Heroes contest was announced at the event and sponsored by the Eye Center of North Florida. Corporal Dustin Patterson with the Panama City Police Department won free eye surgery, courtesy of Dr. Bret Fisher.

B AY B I Z

JA N UA RY - M A RC H 2017

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

Gene Wong was born and raised in Newport News, Virginia. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, his Master of Business Administration from Texas A&M in Corpus Christi, Texas, and his Doctorate of Optometry degree from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. He completed his fellowship with the American Academy of Optometry in 2013 and became board certified as a diplomat through the American Board of Optometry in 2015. Gene relocated to Panama City in early 2015 for itsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; beautiful beaches and southern hospitality. Prior to his relocation, he practiced optometry in Winchester, Virginia, Fort Worth, Texas, and Brownsville, Texas. He currently serves as an associate optometrist with The Eye Center of North Florida splitting his time between the offices in Panama City, Port Saint Joe, and Chipley. He is proud to be part of a clinic that is on the forefront of the newest advancements in technology and services. Gene is active in the community through the Bay County Chamber of Commerce and Bay Young Professional Committee. He is a member of the American Optometric Association, American Academy of Optometry, West Florida Optometric Association, and Florida Optometric Association. Gene was recently elected to the Board of Trustees for the West Florida Optometric Association.

Gene Wong Eye Center of North Florida

B AY B I Z

JA N UA RY - M A RC H 2017

During his spare time, Gene likes to travel and explore Northwest Florida with his dog, Apple, a rescued Texas Heeler.

WE ARE

PEOPLE OF VISION We utilize the latest technology for family eye care including routine eye exams, dry eye treatment, contact lens ttings and diagnose and treat eye diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and cataracts.

OPTICAL & CONTACTS Our surgeons oﬀer the area’s only Laser Cataract Surgery- the LenSx Custom Cataract Laser is 10x more accurate than traditional methods performed with a blade.

If you’re frustrated with the hassle of glasses or contacts, we oﬀer vision correction options like Blade-Free LASIK and the new Raindrop Near Vision Inlay which can eliminate or reduce the need for reading glasses.

We oﬀer a full-service contact lens and optical department which features a wide selection of designer and value frames to t every style, personality and budget.

COSMETIC SERVICES

Cosmetic eye procedures can actually improve how you see. We oﬀer eyebrow and eyelid lifts to repair droopy eyes and non-surgical treatments like Botox and cosmetic llers.

workforce connection Employers: We’ll Help You Staff Up! by: Kim Bodine, Executive Director, CareerSource Gulf Coast

the number of work hours saved on recruitment. Imagine the time and effort involved to individually meet the same number of job seekers you will shake hands with at a hiring event.

Hiring the best employees starts with us. We offer a full menu of comprehensive services including job postings, meeting space, complete support for hiring events, publicity, industry-leading candidate screening services and much more - all at no cost.

• Be on time, fully present, and well-practiced.

ith the spring tourism season just around the corner, businesses along the coast will be gearing up to welcome thousands of visitors. As you make preparations for your business, don’t forget CareerSource Gulf Coast.

Among our most popular services are on-site job fairs targeted to your audience. On a regular basis, our Panama City Job Center becomes a hub of activity as local employers host a job fair, and candidates visit the center in search of a new opportunity. Hiring events at our Job Center are offered to you free of charge. We take care of promoting your positions, providing the necessary space for interviews, and offering the support and assistance of our trained workforce professionals. There’s an excellent opportunity for you to meet a larger group of candidates by joining the 30th Annual Bay County Job Fair on Friday, Feb. 10, at Haney Technical Center. Employer registrations are now open – and this event fills fast. The event is offered through a partnership of Haney Technical Center, the Naval Support Activity Center Panama City, the Tyndall AFB Airman and Family Readiness Center, and CareerSource Gulf Coast. Get all the details now at BayCountyJobFair.com. All registration forms must be received by Feb. 3. This event, and others like it, offers unmatched benefits – including the rare opportunity to get in front of hundreds of job seekers. Business owners/managers can meet personally with candidates, discuss employment opportunities, schedule firstround interviews and more. Larger-scale job fairs are excellent opportunities for networking with other local companies, and they certainly offer employers a chance to promote their own brand. The cost for a business to participate in a hiring event is low when compared to the cost of advertising, not to mention 28

B AY B I Z

JA N UA RY - M A RC H 2017

Whether you plan to hire at a targeted fair in our Job Center or be a part of a larger community hiring event, remember to leverage your opportunity. You want to be the place where the best candidates want to work! You’ll be talking to many job seekers, so preparation counts!

• Make your company memorable. Use pro-

fessional brochures, vibrant graphics, and a branded look. Fun, company-based giveaways make a positive impression as well, particularly at larger community job fairs.

• Be engaged: Stand rather than sit, shake hands with eye contact.

• Plan for follow up. Be ready to explain the ap-

plication/hiring path to candidates of interest, and be prepared to share information about next steps.

CareerSource Gulf Coast stands ready to assist you. Stop in, call us, or visit our website. No matter how you choose to connect, we'll be here to serve you. The Career Source Gulf Coast Job Center in Panama City is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and you can reach us via email at customerservice@careersourcegc.com or by phone at 850-872-4340, ext. 100.

BILL CRAMER CHEVROLET CADILLAC BUICK GMC

WE’VE GOT YOUR SUV

2017 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE

2017 BUICK ENCLAVE

2017 GMC ACADIA DENALI

2017 CHEVROLET EQUINOX

2017 BUICK ENVISION

2017 GMC TERRAIN DENALI

2251 West 23rd St. Panama City, FL

850-250-5489 • 877-361-1815 BillCramerGM.com

B AY B I Z

JA N UA RY - M A RC H 2017

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: taylor@baychamberfl.com.

The Bay County Chamber of Commerce

The Bay County Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce its 2017 Officers and Directors.

Board of Directors

Term Expires Dec 2017 Lisa Barnes Eastern Shipbuilding Group Steve Grubbs Bay Medical Sacred Heart

Officers Chair of the Board

Chairman Elect

Vice-Chairman

Ben Lee Hancock Bank Jimmy Patronis Captain Andersonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Restaurant Waylon Thompson Manuel & Thompson P.A.

Board of Directors

Term Expires Dec 2018 Claire Sherman Lamar Advertising Co.

Doug Moore Ameris Bank

Will Cramer Bill Cramer Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC

Treasurer

Past Chairman/Military Affairs Committee

Vice Chairman of Communications

Garrett Anderson Anderson Construction Company Ross Clemons The Clemons Company John Meyer ReliantSouth Construction Group Joe Sorci Florida Architects Bryan Taylor United Way of NWF

Andrew Rowell GAC Contractors

Robert Carroll McNeil Carroll Engineering Inc.

Ed Phelan Maritech Machine

Greg Wilson Greg Wilson Law

Board of Directors

Term Expires Dec 2019 Board of Directors

Terry Cole WMBB-TV

Stacie Galbreath Glass Ventures, Inc.

Amy Myers Harrison Sale McCloy

One Year Chair Appointment

Joel Schubert City of Lynn Haven David Southall Innovations Federal Credit Union 30

B AY B I Z

JA N UA RY - M A RC H 2017

Chris Moore General Dynamics Information Technology Elizabeth Moore Anchor Consulting Engineering Sandy Sims Gulf Power Company Brad Thomas MidSouth Bank

Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center has announced the appointment of Brad Griffin as Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2017. He most recently served as Chief Executive Officer at Colleton Medical Center in Waterboro, SC. Over the past three years, Brad has led the Colleton team in the expansion of services, facility renovations and technological advancements. Under his leadership, the hospital re-

role, Swatts will oversee all media partnerships including the firm’s growing digital advertising services though Google Adwords, Pandora and Spotify radio, and all HULU, cable and broadcast TV. Gulf Coast State College

Gulf Coast State College has been ranked 23rd out of the 112 accredited colleges and universities in Florida, according to Online Colleges “Top Colleges 2016” report with an overall score of 83.18. The list is based on a variety of factors including affordability, student services and the availability of online programs. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University ceived an “A” rating for hospital safety from The Leapfrog Group, achieved Chest Pain Center certification by The Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care, was named Top Performer on Key Quality Measures by the Joint Commission five years in a row and launched Neurology and Critical Care telemedicine programs. Prior to this position, he was the Chief Operating Officer for Ocala Health System and Chief Operating Officer at Fairview Park Hospital in Dublin, GA. Kerigan Marketing Associates, Inc. Kerigan Marketing Associates, Inc., a Mexico Beach-based marketing and advertising agency, has announced that Dana K. Swatts, C.P.M. has joined the firm as Agency Partner and VP, Media Planning & Procurement. In her new

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide and Haney Technical Center have teamed up to provide new aviation opportunities for Bay County students. Qualified graduates of Haney’s aviation maintenance technology program with a Federal Aviation Administration Airframe & Powerplant Certificate will receive advance standing credit toward Embry-Riddle Worldwide’s bachelor’s degree programs in aeronautics and aviation maintenance. Students will enjoy a seamless academic transition from Haney to Embry-Riddle. Vistage Florida Vistage Florida has appointed Art Kimbrough to lead the group in the Panama City area, which encompasses the Central Panhandle Area including Dothan, Alabama. Kimbrough assumed leadership of the area’s long standing group on January 1st, and is in the process of hand-picking additional qualified business leaders to participate in this select forum. Members are made up of presidents and CEOs from top companies throughout the region. As a Vistage Florida Chair, Kimbrough serves as a mentor to the group members, facilitates group meetings, and B AY B I Z

meets one-on-one with each member to surface issues, solve problems and foster accountability in achieving goals. BAYSOULTIONS BAYSOLUTIONS recently promoted Ray Dubuque to Senior Consultant. Ray has an extensive background in planning, organizing and leadership. During his 39 year career with Southern Bell, BellSouth and AT&T, he served in numerous managerial positions throughout the Southeast. He is skilled in project management,

including liaison between BellSouth and the American Red Cross, for nine Southeastern states. This included vital telecommunications coordination for many agencies’ disaster preparedness. He received an Associate of Science in Design Technology from Gulf Coast Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology from the University of West Florida. He is also involved in multiple community and civic organizations.

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

JA N UA RY - M A RC H 2017

Congratulations Eastern Shipbuilding We salute you for being awarded the contract to build U.S. Coast Guard cutters.

For 40 years, Eastern Shipbuilding has been an anchor in the region. We commend the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to growth and investment. This project will create jobs and increase economic development in Bay County and Northwest Florida for decades to come.

gulfpower.com

NOW SERVICING PANAMA CITY!

423.677.8022 Jim Cash, Sales Jcash@dluxprinting.com 850.457.8494 Darrell Jensen, General Manager Darrell@dluxprinting.com B AY B I Z

JA N UA RY - M A RC H 2017

calendar of events Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

13th

3rd

FSU Panama City Holley Academic Center (4750 Collegiate Drive)

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

Program: Veterans Florida