October-December 2015 Bay Biz by Bay County Chamber of Commerce

20 Departments 8 POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE

Triumph Gulf Coast Aims to Bring New Industry to the Area

FSU Panama City Welcomes First Female Dean

16 EDUCATION 18 20

24 26 30 34

ECONOMIC PROFILE DEFENSE INTEL

NSWC Panama City Celebrates 70 Years in the Community

36 37 38

NEW MEMBERS MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES OUT & ABOUT

Features 10 COVER STORY

Gulf World Marine Institute: A Hidden Gem

INDUSTRY APPRECIATION CELEBRATION AWARD WINNERS

WORKFORCE CONNECTION BIZ LIST BYP MEMBERS TO KNOW CHAMBER EVENTS CALENDAR

BAY BIZ | OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2015

PUBLISHER Carol Roberts EXECUTIVE EDITOR Brittany Cole CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Carol Roberts Brittany Cole Sam Tuno Stephanie Nagle Brandi DeRuiter Elizabeth Smith Kim Bodine Ed Stewart (SES) LAYOUT & DESIGN Sean Brosnan GORGEOUS - strategic branding + design getgorgeo.us | 850-888-8GRG COVER Gulf World Marine Institute and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission help rescue a stranded dolphin.

New branch opening this fall at 4295 Highway 231

If you live, work or attend school in the greater Bay, Holmes, Washington or Jackson County area, YOU can join us! Member

769-3306 • PEFCU.org

NCUA

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Desiree Gardner Photography, Brittany Cole, CREO (Center for Research and Economic Opportunity), Spinnaker Beach Club, Tyndall Air Force Base, FSU Panama City, Gulf World Marine Institute. BAY BIZ MAGAZINE c/o Bay County Chamber of Commerce 235 W. 5th Street Panama City, FL 32401 850.785.5206 information@baychamberfl.com Online: www.panamacity.org facebook.com/baychamberfl twitter.com/baychamberfl

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We have to pause from time to time and realize that we do truly live in paradise. I had the chance earlier this summer to go to the beach with my best friend, Paula Cox. We went for a long walk from the Legacy to the Russell-Fields Pier, walking by thousands of visitors. I looked at her and said, “you know, we really don’t appreciate that we live in paradise…look at all of these people spending thousands of dollars to come and visit the place we get to call home, every day.” From the Gulf of Mexico to Econfina, I enjoyed our county from one end to the other this summer.

Sears (Merrill Lynch), has really stepped up to the plate to fill the void for the balance of the year. In the meantime, we are preparing Robert Carroll (McNeil Carroll Engineering) to take the reins come January 1st. On July 16th, I had the pleasure of attending an event where Governor Rick Scott did a ceremonial signing of HB 225, the “All-American Flag Act,” requiring all United States and state flags purchased by the State of Florida to be made entirely from domestically grown materials beginning on January 1, 2016. The ceremony was held at the National Guard Armory.

As we talk about the many visitors that come, I would like to encourage property owners, whether it’s vacant land or an active business, to take pride in our community and their visual image. Step outside, walk around your building and take a look at what your customers and our visitors see. Is it simple fixes, i.e. mowing the grass, pressure washing the building or painting? Are we using a store front for storage that could be put somewhere else? Is our business sign in disrepair/letters falling off? We have code enforcement laws in place to prevent such, but I would encourage owners to keep their property up and keep government out. The visitor that passes by your business or vacant land may be a potential customer or a new industry looking to move to our area and create jobs for Bay County citizens. Each and every one of us is responsible for economic development, and this is a small way we can all do our part. We are starting the 2016 transition with the election of six new board members to our team and preparing for our annual planning session with the Board of Directors to develop our 2016 Business Plan. With the unexpected departure of our Chairman of the Board, Andrew Levy (who has moved to Chicago), Mike

It makes me smile every month when I see the City of Panama City bed tax revenue pouring in. I made mention of those dollars at our board meeting last month, and reminded those in attendance without hesitancy that it was the efforts of this organization, the Bay County Chamber of Commerce, that made this opportunity a reality. We had the vision, saw the opportunity, engaged the City Commission and many other organizations and individuals and we made it happen. These funds can now be used to brand and market Panama City. Make us proud CDC! It isn’t too often that I get to help a local business celebrate its 50th anniversary, let alone celebrate being a member of this organization for 50 years too, but I did this summer. I was so honored to speak and reminisce with the Cramer family at their celebration for Bill Cramer Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC. I hold fond memories of Tommy Thomas, and seeing his family carry on his legacy of being iconic corporate citizens in our community is certainly gratifying. In this issue, be sure to check out our cover story on the Gulf World Marine Institute, Triumph Gulf Coast, and the many other topics that will keep you up to date on the latest happenings in Bay County.

Carol Roberts 6

BAY BIZ | OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2015

President/CEO

BAY BIZ | OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2015

Triumph Gulf Coast Aims to Bring New Industry to the Area by: Brandi DeRuiter, VP of Governmental Affairs

he Panhandle can expect to see $1.5 billion directed towards drawing new industry to the Gulf Coast with the sole purpose of creating new jobs, thanks to Triumph Gulf Coast. The organization was created as a non-profit within the Department of Economic Opportunity, and will operate in compliance with Chapter 617 to receive, hold, invest and administer the Recovery Fund. The five-member board of directors is appointed from the private sector by the Senate President, the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, and each of the trustees of the State Board of Administration.

Triumph Gulf Coast Chairman, Allan Bense, says “If we promote it right, site selectors (for high paying employers) will put us on their agenda. Once a company knows we have money and can move quickly, they will come here.”

According to Florida Legislature, “Triumph Gulf Coast Inc. shall be governed by a five-person Board of Directors to each serve 4 years, except with initial appointments by the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House to serve 2 years to achieve staggered terms. Initial 2-year term officials may be reappointed for an additional term of 4 years.” The initial Board of Directors selected to serve are Chairman Allan Bense from Panama City, Stan Connally of Gulf Breeze, and Destin residents Bob Bonezzi, Pam Dana, and Stephen Riggs.

The Attorney General’s Office filed a lawsuit against BP and Halliburton in April 2013 to recover damages for the State of Florida’s economic losses due to the oil spill. Florida Attorney General, Pam Bondi, announced on July 2, 2015 that this lawsuit was effectively settled at $2 billion, with 75% or $1.5 billion, to go directly to the eight-disproportionately affected counties spanning the Emerald Coast from Escambia to Wakulla County. “Triumph was established as a corporation so as not to be subject to political pressure. We’re all business people on board; our

BAY BIZ | OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2015

While we don’t know exactly how much money is coming to Bay County, it is clear that the purpose of the funding is to attract and work with incoming employers who will bring new industry and employ residents. “This is all about jobs generated and to stimulate future economy,” commented Bense.

job is to create jobs, to spend the money wisely,” noted Bense. “I’ve chosen to serve on this board because it’s a lot of money, and it needs to have good representation.” Facilitated by the University of West Florida staff, Triumph Gulf Coast held its first meeting in Sandestin in August 2015. This five-member corporation will make decisions on how $1.5 billion concentrated to the eight disproportionately-affected coun-

There will be accountability standards and performance provisions in place by asking two major questions. 1. 2.

If we do this, how many jobs will it generate? Will it stimulate future economy?

Projects will require matching funds, and funds will not all be awarded in one year. They must be spread out. TDC’s, EDA’s, and counties can also submit proposals; Bottom line, every project has to be accountable for how many jobs it creates. Florida Legislature contains provisions to hire or contract four staff necessary to implement this act, “The Corporation is required to retain an independent certified public accountant to inspect the records, an independent financial advisor to assist in the strategic plan, an economic advisor who will assist in the award process, including development and priorities, allocation decisions, and a legal advisor with expertise in not-for-profit investing and contracting who is a member of the Florida Bar.” Communities are encouraged to get involved to help bring economic wealth to our region.

ties should be spent. These funds are designated for economic recovery and diversification, essentially to deepen and broaden economic opportunities in Northwest Florida. These economic damage funds are to be utilized as a living endowment and administered over a 30-year period. “These funds are not geared to individuals; we’re looking to get a corporation that spawns development of other companies.” Bense added. The State should receive the first check for $400 million in early 2016. $300 million will then be appropriated to Triumph, which expects to become officially constituted around April 2016. Until then, the board will meet every 4-6 weeks to lay the groundwork to provide for a solid foundation. After the initial $300 million disbursement, Triumph will receive $100 million per year beginning in 2019 and continuing for 12 years, to be used to bring high-paying jobs to the eight-disproportionately affected counties.

Bense believed this to be “a great opportunity from a generational standpoint to span generations,” and added they must be “thoughtful, deliberate, and careful at how they spend this money.”

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BAY BIZ | OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2015

ulf World Marine Park (GWMP) has been a staple family destination in Panama City Beach, Florida since it was established in 1969. From the beginning, the owners and staff of Gulf World have been dedicated to providing exceptional care to the animals that call it home. Over the years, millions of visitors have been able to witness this first hand, as they enjoy walking the Gulf World grounds that have expanded and continue to do so. Gulf World’s first priority has always been, and will continue to be, the animals. What makes Gulf World exceptionally remarkable is the care the staff provides to animals that are in need of rehabilitation along the Panhandle of Florida. Gulf World has responded to strandings since the 1980’s, but never had a separate entity for this until 2012. Gulf World Marine Institute, a 501c3 non-profit (GWMI), was established to fill this void. Gulf World Marine Park became the largest contributor to the institute. All history, data and records were transferred, and the expertise was carried on by staff members that have been working with this ongoing rehabilitation effort. The staff members include: Ron Hardy, GWMI Board President, with over 25 years of working with strandings and participating in stranding workshops; Secret Holmes-Douglas, GWMI Director, with over 20 years of stranding experience and Zoological Director of Gulf World Marine Park; Dr. Lydia Staggs, resident veterinarian for Gulf World Marine Park and Gulf World Marine Institute; also world renowned marine mammal veterinarian for stranded marine mammals is Dr. Forrest Townsend, who is also on the GWMI Board of Directors. There are many individual staff members and volunteers working with GWMI that bring years of stranding experience with them. The amount of expertise amongst its board of directors and staff is enormous.

Gulf World is considered one of the leading rehabilitation facilities in the Southeast Marine Mammal Stranding Network and the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network. Cetaceans (dolphins and whales) and sea turtles periodically strand themselves along our coasts. Marine animals strand for various reasons including injuries from marine debris, sickness or even loud acoustics in our oceans. The GWMI team is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond to these troubled animals. The goal for each live stranding is to rehabilitate these species with hopes to release them back into the Gulf of Mexico. The decision to release the individual sea turtle, dolphin or whale is determined by the National Marine Fisheries Service or Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. When an animal is determined to be non-releasable, an accredited marine facility, sometimes Gulf World Marine Park, is selected as its home. The majority of GWMI’s patients are sea turtles. In fact, Gulf World has rehabilitated thousands of these species over the past several decades. While sea turtles strand year round, a large portion of these numbers came from events such as cold stunning and oceanic disasters. A cold stunning event occurs when frigid temperatures shock the turtle’s system, which can lead to secondary illness like pneumonia, which can be fatal to the turtle. Since sea turtles are cold blooded animals, they cannot regulate their body temperature like mammals. Once found in this state, these cold stunned sea turtles are transported to Gulf World Marine Institute for rehabilitation, which includes gradually warming their body temperature or treating secondary illnesses. The severity of our winter determines the amount of sea turtles we receive for rehabilitation. Gulf World received 1,801 cold stunned turtles in the winter of 2010. Several months after the cold stunned event in 2010, Gulf World received

BAY BIZ | OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2015

another 148 sea turtles to be treated for oil contamination from the Deep Water Horizon oil spill. Gulf World became the only primary intake facility in Florida for the Deep Water Horizon oil spill incident.

Front runners of GMWI

Dr. Staggs is a well-respected veterinarian who received her degree from Auburn University College of Medicine, and has been working as Veterinarian for Gulf World since 2006. Dr. Staggs’ counterpart is Secret Holmes-Douglas, Director of the Institute. Together, they plan out the day-to-day functions of rehabilitation and work as a unit when any animal comes into GWMI. Secret and Dr. Staggs both enjoy being able to give animals a second chance they wouldn’t normally have. The use of both traditional and non-traditional medical practices are performed by the staff. Unique treatments are used to heal the animals, including the use of beeswax or honey to heal a sea turtle’s injured flipper caused by monofilament injuries. GWMI works with other organizations such as Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center when a sea turtle is in need of an MRI or CT scan. The Cutting Edge MLS Laser – (class 4 therapy laser) is used on animals in rehabilitation daily. It promotes healing by increasing the blood flow to the area and increasing lymphatic drainage, which in turn promotes healing and decreases inflammation. GWMI also has a few key volunteers who are there to help in any way possible. Lynda Yates became involved in 2010 because of cold stunned turtles. “I said to Secret many times, if you ever need anything over at Gulf World please call me.” She helped by making floating turtle containers because it was necessary to keep the turtles separated. She continued to be trained in various husbandry tasks with sea turtles and dolphins. Betsy and Roger Straley came on board at the same time after spending seven years prior working with St. Andrews Sea Turtle Watch. Betsy is a sucker for animals. “If I fostered children I couldn’t release them to a new family, so helping heal and release animals fills that void.” She also added the love and passion she has for the animals she helps care for. Our most recent volunteer, Beckie Johnson, just assisted the Institute with a sea turtle release, and it was her first time releasing these endangered species. She states, “I have to say that volunteering with GWMI is an opportunity that I absolutely love! Getting to participate in the healing process of all these beautiful animals is a huge blessing! It never gets old!” Volunteers work with GWMI from stranding calls all the way to a final release. “To be able to help stranded animals through rehabilitation is very satisfying” says Yates.

Education:

Gulf World Marine Institute is dedicated to sharing important information with the public on matters that affect dolphins and sea turtles, whether it be through a public ser-

BAY BIZ | OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2015

vice announcement, news story or a social media post. Dr. Staggs believes that “being involved with GWMI gives me a fantastic platform to be able to share important information with locals and tourists that come to our area.” With the help of local support from both visitors, locals, and the media, GWMI has had a wonderful following and outpouring of support from the community. It is our goal to continue sharing as much information as possible about these matters with the public.

How Can You Help:

• If you see a stranded or deceased dolphin or sea turtle, please immediately report to Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission: 1-888-404-3922 and/or call 24 hour Gulf World Hotline: 850-258-6968 • Donate: Gulf World Marine Institute asks that you donate if possible; every little bit counts. Every dime that is donated to the institute goes directly back to the animals through rehabilitation and research to help improve the quality of life for these animals. • Share: Gulf World Marine Institute information with friends and family. Share our PSA and other educational Facebook posts on your social media channels • Attend Turtle Releases – these are always posted to our Facebook page. • Leave the beaches and waters clean and safe

Planning for the future:

Gulf World Marine Institute is working on raising funds for a state of the art facility that will help us move to the next phase with rehabilitation, research, and education/community outreach. Our goal is to have an institution the public can visit at no charge, while providing education about marine animal stranding efforts, and show how people can get involved to conserve these species. Also, with a new facility, we hope to expand the number of volunteers we can accept by developing a formalized volunteer program. We are excited for what the future holds for Gulf World Marine Institute! Please stay tuned for what’s yet to come!

sponsored by

The Bay County Chamber hosted their annual Industry Appreciation Celebration during the month of September shining a spotlight on companies that help diversify Bay Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy, as well as acknowledging existing businesses in appreciation for their involvement in the community and their contributions to economic development. During the month long celebration, an awards breakfast was held on September 24th at FSU Panama City, where the Chamber recognized four local industries for Business Expansion, Innovation, Newcomer and Entrepreneurship. Please help us congratulate all of our award winners.

Business Expansion Award Maritech Machine

Innovation Award Edge Aerodynamix

With the growth of Port Panama City USA and other key, local manufacturing industries, it was necessary for Maritech Machine to expand their business to a 12,000 square foot facility, effectively doubling the size to increase the supply of â&#x20AC;&#x153;mission criticalâ&#x20AC;? components for the undersea oil and gas industry, marine industries, military bases and various local and regional manufacturing facilities. The expansion allowed for additional employees to be hired, as well as the purchase of additional machining equipment and specialized material handling/preparation equipment, along with expanded storage of job critical materials. Our award winner manufactures components using multiple grades of steel, bronze, aluminum, titanium, as well as industrial grade plastics and other exotic materials.

Edge Aerodynamix has developed a patented Conformal Vortex Generator (CVG) that reduces drag on aircraft wings. The drag reduction translates directly into significant fuel and emission savings. The Edge CVG offers a significant environmental and economic advantage to our airline customers. The fuel savings to a larger airline carrier alone could exceed $2M per day and eliminate hundreds of thousands of pounds of hydrocarbon emissions.

The Bay County Chamber of Commerce would like to thank Gulf Coast State College for designing and printing the awards for our IAC Awards Breakfast. It took over nine hours to design the awards, and twelve hours each to print them on the collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 3D printer.

Thank you to those who have sponsored the various events for our Industry Appreciation Celebration: Gulf Power Trustmark Bank Berg Pipe Port Panama City Gulf Coast State College Spinnaker The News Herald Florida Architects Friends of Neal Dunn

Newcomer Award Roberts and Roberts, Inc.

Entrepreneurship Award Jellyfish Health

Opening in 2014 with only 41 employees, Roberts and Roberts has now grown to 124 full-time employees. This heavy highway construction business focuses on new road/highway construction and resurfacing for the Florida Department of Transportation. The company has recently purchased the building that was originally leased for the start-up, purchased trucks, heavy equipment, tools, and more with a total investment of $10M. The owner, George Roberts, moved to Bay County in 2002 as he saw opportunities not only for his family, but a great place to do business. The potential of the community and its business friendly environment played a major role in the decision. With the purchase of the new facility, an expansion is currently underway that will double the size of the office space to include nine new offices, while also expanding the shop space. The expansion will include the hiring of 25 additional employees. Roberts and Roberts headquarters is located in Bay County with offices in Tallahassee and Hosford.

Jellyfish Health was launched to resolve wait times in the healthcare industry. Serial entrepreneurs, Dave Dyell and Patrick Leonpacher, recognized the frustration all patients felt when waiting for their doctor. Bringing transparency of wait times improves patient satisfaction, and helps clinics remain competitive in the changing healthcare environment. As a new business, Jellyfish Healthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest hurdle for the growing company was to get the brand and solutions in front of their target market. As such, they invested in marketing and sales to ensure their name is in the front of the buyers and decision makers. Jellyfish Health uses a subscription based sales model that grows with our clients as they grow. Ultimately, Jellyfish Health aims to see recurring revenues in excess of $20M within 5 years.

BAY BIZ | OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2015

FSU Panama City Welcomes First Female Dean by: Erica Howard, FSU Panama City Marketing & Special Events Coordinator

Florida State alumna has come home, making history as the first female Dean of FSU Panama City. Carol Edwards, who taught at FSU Panama City while earning her Ph.D. in the early ’90s, began serving as Dean of FSU Panama City and Florida State’s College of Applied Studies on Aug. 10. She had served as Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts and Professor of Art Education at Texas Tech University since 2007. “I have an alumna’s love for FSU, but equally important, I have a passion and commitment to providing quality educational experiences for students,” said Edwards, who earned a Doctorate in Art Education from Florida State’s Tallahassee campus in 1992. “I look forward to building community relationships, securing resources to support the work of the faculty, and using my administrative experiences and skills to further the educational mission of this campus.” “Dr. Edwards arrived on our campus as a Seminole,” said Dr. Steve Leach, who served as Interim Dean of FSU Panama City from July 2014 to August 2015. “She has jumped in with both feet, and is ready to do great things.” In her new role, Edwards said she hopes to showcase the vitality and possibilities for the

BAY BIZ | OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2015

Panama City campus. “There is so much potential that exists on this campus,” she said. “I see that as a first task: working with the community so people understand what a jewel this place is.” Edwards said she hopes to continue the campus’ forward momentum as plans for dorms are developed to draw more freshmen, sophomores and out-of-area students. “A residence hall is absolutely going to be a game-changer,” she said. “I think we are going to play that to our greatest strength.” As FSU Panama City continues its initiative to grow its underclassmen population, Edwards said her focus will be on retention and enhancing the student experience past the freshman year. She said she sees the FSU Panama City community as a family learning from each other’s different backgrounds, experiences and skills. “There’s such a wide range of people here,” Edwards said. “You put together freshmen with lifelong learners and you have a powerful combination.” She also plans to expand FSU Panama City’s involvement with the arts through collaboration with schools, musicians and artists. “Her fresh approach to our traditions, and her seasoned

from the Mississippi University for Women in 1970. Since 1995, she has helped facilitate about $25 million in education grants. “We are very pleased that Dr. Carol Edwards, with her outstanding record of success in university administration and community leadership, will join us as the new Dean of FSU Panama City,” said Sally McRorie, Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at FSU. “She is an accomplished builder of programs and an exceptional fundraiser, and she will build upon the great work already underway on this beautiful campus.” Edwards with Scott Clemons and Becca Hardin

Edwards lives in a Panama City Beach condo with her husband, Joe. She has a daughter, Angela, and three grandchildren. She succeeds Ken Shaw, who served as Dean of FSU Panama City from 2008, until his departure in June 2014 to become President of Southwestern Adventist University in Keene, Texas.

vision for our future, will no doubt be a winning combination for us all,” said Director of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Missy Conner, who chaired the dean’s search committee. Prior to her tenure at Texas Tech, Edwards served as a Professor of Art and Dean of the College of Fine and Performing Arts at Western Washington University from 2004 to 2007. She held numerous teaching and administrative positions at Kennesaw State University from 1994 to 2004, including that of Assistant Dean of the College of the Arts from 2002 to 2004. She served as Director of the North Georgia Institute for Education in the Arts, a professional development institute for teachers and administrators, from 1994 to 2004. She also held teaching positions at the University of Alabama and in the public school system of Columbus, Mississippi. In addition to her doctorate, Edwards earned a Master of Arts degree in Art Education from the University of Alabama in 1984, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Commercial Art

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BAY BIZ | OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2015

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

LABOR FORCE

EMPLOYED

UNEMPLOYED

UNEMPLOYED RATE

JUN 15

87,846

83,247

4,599

5.2%

JUL 15

88,761

84,038

4,723

5.3%

AUG 15

87,564

83,039

4,525

5.2%

JUN 14

89,848

84,132

5,716

6.4%

JUL 14

91,210

85,480

5,730

6.3%

AUG 14

89,848

84,132

5,716

6.4%

REALTOR SALES

MEDIAN PRICE

REALTOR SALES

MEDIAN PRICE

JUN 15

302

$165,000

27,729

$203,500

JUL 15

298

$171,000

26,916

$199,900

AUG 15

254

$177,750

23,651

$199,900

JUN 14

229

$173,000

23,181

$185,000

JUL 14

236

$178,950

20,099

$185,000

AUG 14

248

$165,000

21,742

$180,000

real estate sales EXISTING SINGLE FAMILY HOMES

CONDO - TOWNHOME SALES JUN 15

137

$196,000

10,991

$152,076

JUL 15

105

$160,000

10,235

$150,000

AUG 15

103

$195,500

9,277

$150,000

JUN 14

137

$190,000

9,594

$141,000

JUL 14

141

$180,000

8,984

$137,500

AUG 14

138

$181,000

8,900

$136,000

Bay County building permits

RESIDENTIAL

COMMERCIAL

JUN 15

JUL 15

AUG 15

JUN 14

JUL 14

AUG 14

GROSS SALES

TAXABLE SALES

TAX COLLECTIONS

JUN 15

$583,108,930

$351,982,850

$21,981,358

JUL 15

$778,609,823

$417,335,776

$25,895,315

AUG 15

$727,593,540

$438,602,802

$26,370,045

JUN 14

$565,454,503

$320,583,358

$19,831,992

JUL 14

$778,156,531

$395,836,976

$24,145,855

AUG 14

$659,843,189

$409,405,057

$24,981,751

BAY BIZ | OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2015

Our population in the U.S. is aging and it’s no secret that this industry is on the rise. According to Ulmer, “10 of the 20 fastest growing jobs are in health care. There is a 3.1 % growth rate for jobs at hospitals, requiring 91,000 more physicals and about 260,000 more nurses. Home health aids and other positions are growing as much as 70 %.” All over the country hospitals and medical offices struggle to find qualified personnel and that pressure is felt in Bay County as well. Both Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center and Bay Medical Sacred Heart have 40-50 open clinical positions at any given time. Typically, medical positons offer wages higher than our local average, currently $16.24 an hour. Ulmer shared that when it comes to nurses, “those positions start at $21, $23 an hour. That’s great for Bay County.”

Bay County sales tax collections

Did you know that over 9,000 people are employed in the health care industry in Bay County? Did you know that this industry has a $2B economic impact in our community? We didn’t either until Carlton Ulmer, CEO of Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center’s recent presentation to the Bay EDA Investors.

With the rising demand in the industry, local leaders are looking for ways to meet the workforce needs and to capitalize on this growth. “We have the opportunity as a county to provide regional care. We need to grow the potential and grow health care,” stated Ulmer.

July - September 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

PANAMA CITY

MAY 15

$1,842,628.00

$12,435

$146,220.00

MAY 14

$1,600,701.00

$10,546

% CHANGE

15.11%

17.91%

JUN 15

$3,379,852.00

$22,277

$201,906.00

JUN 14

$3,171,472.00

$19,976

% CHANGE

6.57%

11.52%

JUL 15

$3,960,944.00

$23,015

$238,143.00

JUL 14

$3,463,301.00

$21,662

% CHANGE

14.37%

6.25%

Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport passenger traffic

TOTAL PASSENGERS

COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS

JUN 15

96,496

1,584

JUL 15

99,148

1,587

AUG 15

86,622

1,387

JUN 14

88,940

1,422

JUL 14

90,923

1,369

AUG 14

79,778

1,268

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

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BAY BIZ | OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2015

NSWC-PC Celebrates 70 Years In The Community by: Ed Stewart (SES), Technical Director, NSWC Panama City Division

his year marks the 70th anniversary for the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City (NSWC-PC). In 1945, then Secretary of the Navy, James Forrestal, established the U.S. Navy Mine Countermeasures Station in Panama City, Florida, with a mission area focused on mines and mine countermeasures.

While NSWC-PC has remained firmly rooted in Mine Warfare, several mission areas have been added along the way, namely: Diving & Life Support Systems, Naval Special Warfare Systems and Amphibious/Expeditionary Maneuver Warfare Systems, which are all among the most relevant missions conducted by the Navy, Marine Corps, and Department of Defense today. From its humble beginnings in July 1945 with ten officers and three civilians, it has been the community’s dedication, all of us working as a team, which has enabled the Warfare Center to ensure the United States Navy maintains its supremacy of the seas.

BAY BIZ | OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2015

Physicist Harold A. Johnson was the first civilian aboard the U.S. Mine Countermeasures Station, arriving on August 10th, 1945. This excerpt from the archives recounts Johnson’s early days. “After a war, the economy tends to shrink rather than expand, so CDR. Frost, the driving force behind the mine countermeasures effort, had a tough time in Washington convincing people to come here. Panama City was isolated from towns of any size, and commuting back and forth to Washington would be an ordeal. There were no educational facilities past Bay High, no hospital except the Adams Clinic. In fact, the biggest thing Panama City had to offer was recreation – fishing and the beach. People were afraid if they came down here, they’d be caught when places closed and they’d have to head back to Washington to hunt for jobs that might not be there. The Depression was etched in history, and their memories. But Frost did a masterful selling job. He said we knew from history that mine warfare was here to stay. He did such a good job of selling, that I packed up my wife and kids - one in the first grade and one in the fifth - and came here. I was sold. We arrived on Sunday, August 9th, 1945, and I started to work August 10. Frost told me to get the first significant

Base gate in 1945

In 2015, the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center joined in celebrating the Year of the Military Diver (YOTMD). Representative Gwen Graham visited during our YOTMD event in June, and she came to appreciate Panama City as the home of the military diving. Recently, the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Jonathan Greenert, and Representative Jeff Miller visited Pensacola to inspect our preparations of the Mine Countermeasures Mission Package (MCM MP) equipment. CNO Greenert noted the MCM MP is one of the Navy’s top priorities, and testing is underway aboard the USS Independence. On his Facebook page, the CNO remarked, “We were both very impressed with the high-caliber crew and civilians who are focused on introducing this enhanced capability to our Fleet.” More recently, Sean Stackley, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition, made a personal visit accompanied by many senior flag level sponsors to assess and encourage our progress.

1965 Aerial

1970 Aerial

NSWC-PC is the Navy’s Technical Center of Excellence for Littoral Warfare and Coastal Defense! Its work is relevant and business is strong, which means the base is hiring. In fiscal year 2015, over 210 people were hired and 41 Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) students interned this past summer, including eight students from FSU Panama City and six students from Gulf Coast State College. Our hiring forecast for 2016 looks very positive. The economic forecast looks promising as well. The Warfare Center business base for FY15 will be over $550 Million, and the forecast for FY 16 is projected to be very strong again.

project going, get the gear streamed, the closed loop sweep, so that people in Washington would know that Panama City was serious business, and the experiments underway were proof. He said, “Johnson, I want you to go down there and make this thing work.”

For 70 years, NSWC-PC has been providing a technical advantage to our men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line to defend our country.

Well, some things haven’t changed, like interactions with Washington! But seriously, what hasn’t changed is the quality of the people and the desire to do their very best each and every day. The base is serious about its business. NSWC Panama City ended the fiscal year on September 30th with over 1,400 government service civilians, a military complement of 45 and over 700 defense industry partners on the team, a workforce complement that will ensure Panama City remains the recognized leader in the littoral missions of our Navy.

Everyone should all be exceedingly proud of the contributions Bay County makes to the Department of Defense and to our Nation.

Many high level visitors are received at the base, and that is important because it tells the work we do is relevant. This year, the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral James Winnefeld, was so impressed with the work at the base that he invited a friend to visit, Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Work. It is a testament to the work that is being conducted.

BAY BIZ | OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2015

You Only Have One Heart . . . Only One Hospital Has the Area’s Best Survival Rates Bay Medical Sacred Heart 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.

Only Available at Bay Medical Sacred Heart • A comprehensive program including open-heart surgery – When time counts it’s important to have surgical back-up on-site so you don’t lose valuable time being transferred to another facility. • The area’s best survival rates for heart attack and heart failure. • Electrophysiology services, such as cardiac ablations, to treat patients with heart rhythm disorders. • Minimally invasive repair of holes in the heart from congenital heart defects. • Specialized technology for complex and high-risk patients, such as a tiny heart pump that can be inserted into the coronary arteries to ensure continuous blood flow during complex procedures. • Less-invasive robotic heart surgery – a service offered only at a handful of hospitals in the entire Southeast. • A team of more than 200 caregivers devoted specifically to heart care.

You Only Have One Heart -Only Trust it to One Hospital

615 N. Bonita Avenue Panama City, FL 32401 (850) 769-1511 w w w. b a y m ed i ca l. org

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Deborah Edgeworth, MD

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25 Doctors Drive Panama City , FL 32405 www.coastalobgynpc.com

ABC: Developing Workforce through Youth Success by: Kim Bodine, Executive Director CareerSource Gulf Coast

e all know that to have strong, vibrant businesses, we need an educated and trained workforce. What some may not know is that workforce development begins with our youth – and at a very early age.

For this reason and so many more, I am excited that folks are rolling up their sleeves to join a movement aimed at building a more sustainable community. A new non-profit organization, Alignment Bay County (ABC), is setting into motion a process through which businesses, civic organizations, churches and folks from all walks of life will join together to creatively solve strategically targeted issues our youth face. Ensuring the success of our community’s children requires creative approaches to complex problems. This is not an overnight fix; the work is generational, and it will take many of us to see this through. ABC, known as a collective impact organization, will guide the process. The overall goal of the work is to align community organizations and resources in coordinated support of student success in Bay County. Some of you may have already heard about our organizational work. For the record, ABC is not a service provider, nor does it exist to create new programs. Instead, it is a “backbone” organization designed to work directly in partnership with Bay District Schools, committed community volunteers and organizations. The model provides a structure and a process to educate community members about issues preventing student success. By harnessing existing resources in Bay County, creative student-centered solutions can be implemented. Fortunately, we are not creating a new idea. The collective impact model exists in the form of Alignment Nashville (www.alignmentnashville.org). Nashville leaders have

BAY BIZ | OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2015

guided the Bay County development process. Over past months, the organizational pieces have been firmly laid locally. We have a clear mission “…to align community organizations and resources so their coordinated support of Bay County’s youth has a positive impact on public school success, children’s health, and the success of our community as a whole.” We have in place today a 25-member Governing Board, and a nearly 40-member Operating Board. The team is incredibly strong. Those serving on the ABC Governing and Operating Boards are presidents and vice presidents of corporations and organizations, chief executive and financial officers, lawyers, medical doctors and PhD’s, retired physicists, local governmental leaders and top-tier educational leaders. There is no question that we need all Bay County stakeholders to get involved – and here’s why: Approximately 59% of all children in Bay District Schools are eligible for free or reduced lunches; Over 3,000 children miss more than 21 days of school annually; Approximately 30 languages are spoken in our schools; More than 1,400 students are homeless. All told, approximately 26% of district students live in poverty. Statistics show the higher the percentage of a school’s students living in poverty, the higher the dropout rate. The solutions won’t evolve overnight. It’s going to take a dedicated and extended team effort to achieve desired goals. We hope the entire Bay County business community chooses to support this important work. Visit the ABC website at AlignmentBayCounty.org, and feel free to contact any of the Governing Board members. You’ll find a full list of our leadership on the website.

NURSE ANESTHESIA MASTER OF SCIENCE AT FSU PANAMA CITY

 experience hands-on learning through classroom and on-site clinical instruction  begin a one-on-one clinical practicum within the first week  offer quality patient care before, during and after surgical procedures  acquire the skills to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

pc.fsu.edu The Florida State University Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia Program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), 222 S. Prospect Avenue., Park Ridge, IL 60068-4001; (847) 655-1160.

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

Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) More than 1,600 college students applied for the National Research Enterprise Internship Program (NREIP) last year. Of the 592 students selected for the prestigious

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math internship program, the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) welcomed 41 students and embarked on a 10-week journey. NSWC PCD has the NREIP’s fourth largest amount of interns for fiscal year 2015, and the largest number in the program they have ever had. Hancock Bank Hancock Bank announces Gina Mann will serve as the new Mortgage Loan Originator overseeing mortgage loans at the Edgewater branch. With more than 15 years in Panama City’s financial indus-

try, Mann offers strategic options and recommendations for her clients, and has a passion for banking, trade associations and non-profits in the local area. As a mortgage 26

loan originator, she will assist in originating all types of residential mortgages including construction permanent, renovation, portfolio, Jumbo, conventional, VA, FHA, and RD. Mann is a life-long resident of Bay County, and a graduate of Gulf Coast State College. PCB Entertainment The third annual Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam drew fans from across the country and the globe to Panama City Beach over Labor Day Weekend with superstar headliners Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum. At the end of

the event, the producers (PCB Entertainment), announced a brand new festival called SpringJam that will be coming to Aaron Bessant Park April 7-9, 2016. Headlining one of the days will be Grammy award-winning country trio, Rascal Flatts. Additional performers and information will be available on springjam.com closer to the event. Burg Management Group Sherry Hill of Burg Management Company of Panama City Beach recently joined the elite group of Community Association Managers who have earned the Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM®) credential from Community Associations Institute (CAI). Hill is one of more than 2,200 managers worldwide who have earned the highest level of pro-

BAY BIZ | OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2015

fessional recognition in the community association field. Hill has been a Florida licensed Community Association Manager for eight years, and has worked for Burg

Management Company for the past five years. She has also earned the Certified Manager of Community Associations and Association Management Specialist designations. Bay Medical Sacred Heart The Bay Medical Sacred Heart Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the selection of their new President and Chief Executive Officer, Steve Grubbs. Grubbs joins Bay Medical Sacred Heart with more than 28 years of hospital management experience. A native of

Kentucky, Grubbs began his career with Humana serving as a financial

specialist in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Since that time, he has worked with several major health systems as Chief Financial Officer, and then transitioned to the position of CEO in 2005. During his tenure as CEO, Steve has led three hospitals to new heights in quality, safety and patient satisfaction. He most recently served as CEO of Paris Regional Medical Center in Paris, Texas, a two-campus regional referral center in northeast Texas with 368 licensed beds. Grubbs holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of Kentucky and an Masters of Business Administration from Bethel University. Bay Medical Sacred Heart also recently named Ron Patrick as the new Chief Financial Officer. He joins the Bay Medical team from Northwest Medical Center, a 300-

bed hospital in Tucson, Ariz., where he served as CFO for the past 25 years. Patrick began his healthcare career at West Florida Regional Medical Center in Pensacola, his home town. He later worked in Mobile, first at Knollwood Park Hospital and then at Doctorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital, before joining Northwest Medical Center in Tucson. Patrick received a Master of Science in Administration at Central Michigan University and a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from the University of West Florida. Panhandle Engineering Jim and Rosemary Slonina, along with Chris Forehand of Panhandle Engineering, presented a check

for $3,000 to Girls Inc. to sponsor the Ashley Slonina Golf Tournament, and help support the programs of Girls Inc. of Bay County. The program inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold, providing more than 400 girls a year with life-changing experiences and real solutions to the unique issues girls face. Girls Inc. provides a holistic, in-depth approach that combines mentorship, programming, and a positive space. Bay County Transportation Planning Organization A new chairman is at the helm of the Bay County Transportation Planning Organization (TPO). The chairmanship transitioned from

Lynn Haven City Commissioner Rodney Friend, who served the TPO for two years, to the vice chairman, Panama City Commissioner Mike Nichols, who will serve for fiscal year 2015-2016. Eye Center of North Florida The Eye Center of North Florida is pleased to announce that Kristina Mizell Williams has been appointed as Director of Marketing. With more than 12 years marketing and sales experience, she was previously the Marketing Director for Superior Residences, Hospice Specialist

at Emerald Coast Hospice and Marketing Coordinator at Gulf Coast Medical Center and Aculab. Bay County Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is pleased to announce that Elizabeth Smith, VP of Events/Foundation of the Bay County Chamber of

Commerce has recently completed her first year at Institute for Organization Management, a four-year nonprofit leadership training program at University of Georgia in Athens, GA.

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

BAY BIZ | OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2015

The Region’s Top-Rated Cardiac Care The physicians of The Cardiovascular Institute provide Northwest Florida's top-rated heart care to patients from the nine counties surrounding Panama City and beyond. Our team has played a critical role in developing the nationally recognized program at Bay Medical Sacred Heart and launched the heart program at Gulf Coast Medical Center. With new offices in Panama City Beach and in Marianna, we are expanding to provide both quality and convenience for our patients.

Our physicians offer the very latest in diagnosis and treatment options to care for: y

Coronary Artery Disease

Heart Failure

Cardiomyopathy

Valvular Disease

Rhythm Disorders

Peripheral Vascular Disease

Carotid Disease

Hypertension

Congenital Heart Disease

For diagnosis of heart and vascular conditions, we offer the area's only accredited echocardiography lab and nuclear stress lab and we are nationally certified in vascular ultrasound studies. We provide a full spectrum of cardiac monitoring services and stress testing in our main office. With an in-house research department, our physicians stay on the forefront of cardiac care and offer specialized therapies that are otherwise only available in a university setting.

The only cardiology group seeing patients at both Panama City hospitals.

M e e t O u r P hys i c i a n s Hari K.R. Baddigam, MD

Thompson C. Maner, MD

Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease and Electrophysiology.

Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease and Interventional Cardiology.

M.S. Ramaiah Medical College

Bussie A. Evans, MD

University of Florida School of Medicine Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease.

Amir R. Haghighat, MD Univ. of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, Interventional Cardiology, Endovascular Medicine and Nuclear Cardiology.

Medical College of Georgia

Michael F. Morrow, MD Medical College of Georgia

Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease.

Hashem A. Mubarak MD Damascus University School of Medicine

Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease.

Samir N. Patel, MD

Medical College of Rush University Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, Interventional Cardiology, Endovascular Medicine and Nuclear Cardiology. Registered physician in Vascular Interpretation.

Michael J. Stokes, MD University of Miami School of Medicine

Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease and Interventional Cardiology.

Joe Trantham, MD

Duke University School of Medicine Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, Electrophysiology, Interventional Cardiology and Adult Transthoracic Echocardiography.

Accepting New Patients Most Major Insurances Accepted ( 8 5 0 ) 7 6 9 - 0 3 2 9 • w w w. c a rd i ova s c u l a r i n s t i t u te. co m

Main Office: 801 E. 6th St., Floors 4&5, Panama CIty, FL • Beach Office: 11111 Panama City Beach Pkwy, Panama CIty Bch, FL

N PE

HIS SUM ING T ME R

A new-home community in Panama City, Florida

It’s beautiful outside. Perfect for a bayfront morning run, or a poolside brunch and mimosas with friends. Maybe some sweet tea on the porch with neighbors at sunset—sounds like the perfect way to end the day. Welcome to the SweetBay life. SweetBay is a new master-planned community at the water’s edge in Panama City, Florida. A place to get in touch with nature and neighbors. There are pathways, waterways, parks and pools to connect the community as well as an award-winning free public charter school, University Academy. Down the line, a future shopping district is planned to serve as the heart of the community. The best part? Everything is just a short walk from your front door. Our bayfront village is intelligently designed to foster a mindful, healthy, and relaxed lifestyle full of natural beauty and wellness.

Won’t you join us?

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

Jacob Mann Jake Mann, a Bay County native, is proud to work and serve in his hometown as a Loan Officer with Community Bank, where he enjoys building working relationships and helping people achieve their financial goals. Mann holds his Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida State University. Son of a police officer and a school teacher, Mann attributes his tenacious work ethic and spirit of service to his parents and a strong, supportive family. He considers patience and perseverance among his best qualities, and believes that “if something is worth doing, it’s worth doing right.” Mann is thankful for the opportunity to have been mentored by a number of accomplished leaders in the banking community over the last eight years. He continues to push himself to learn and grow, and seeks to support others in their development. 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. He also works with the United Way of Northwest Florida as an active member of the Dollar Smart Coalition and serves as a Beach Chamber Ambassador. In his free time, Mann enjoys discovering new music, having weekend brunch with friends and all things Star Wars.

BAY BIZ | OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2015

• KBB’s 2015 “Best Buy Award” • Motor Trend’s “Talk of The Town Award” • U.S. News & World Report 2014 “Best Cars For The Money” Five Decades.....Three Generations.....One Tradition! 2251 W. 23rd Street - Panama City, FL 32405 850-250-4737 - BillCramerGM.com

The Villages of Mill Bayou

Planned Pool Center & Marina* Fishing Docks | Boat Ramp & Kayak Launch | John B. Lynch Park Oak Point Park & Nature Trails Benâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lake, a Naturally-Stocked Fishing Area

Located off State Road 390 behind North Bay Haven Charter Academy 103 Shoreview Drive || Panama City, Florida 32404 || Sales Office: 850-252-6215

+Pricing effective 10/06/2015 and subject to change at any time. Home and community information including pricing, included features, terms, availability and amenities are subject to change and prior sale at any time without notice or obligation. *Amenities at The Villages of Mill Bayou are not yet constructed or under construction as of 10/06/2015. D.R. Horton is not the developer of this subdivision and is not responsible for construction of the amenities. D.R. Horton OPPORTUNITY cannot and does not guarantee construction or completion of any community amenities by the developer. Pictures, photographs, colors, features, and sizes are for illustration purposes only and will vary from the homes as built. For a list of all D.R. Horton communities near you, visit www.DRHorton.com. ÂŠ2015 D.R. Horton, Inc. EQUAL HOUSING

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

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FSU Panama City Holley Academic Center (4750 Collegiate Drive)

First Friday*

Program: Northwest Florida Regional Planning Council Networking: 7:15 a.m. / Program 8:00 a.m. Sponsored by: Bay Medical Sacred Heart

22nd

Bay Young Professionals Golfing Clinic and Social Event Bay Point Resort Golf Club Time: 5:00 p.m. Sponsored by: Bay Point Resort Golf Club

29th

First Responders Appreciation Luncheon FSU Panama City Holley Academic Center (4750 Collegiate Drive)

First Friday*

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