Annual Awards Celebration

The annual award ceremony for Niceville Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce was bustling with well-dressed local businesspeople on February 9, at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center. Niceville area chamber members mingled over heavy tapas and drinks waiting to hear which businesses would be awarded top prize from the Chamber.

In addition to the food, celebrants also had the opportunity to have a photo taken at the photo booth, bid on silent auction items, and network before entering the Mattie Kelly Arts Center’s Grand Theater for the main event.

“I think it’s the first full year our local businesses have really been moving forward after Covid, so it’s exciting to see that,” said Niceville Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce CEO Tricia Brunson. “Everybody is excited to get out and go.”

The 2023 Awards went to:

Small Business of the Year – Eyewear Unlimited

Young Professional of the Year – Natalie Davis, Niceville Insurance Agency

Large Business of the Year – Eglin Federal Credit Union

Volunteer of the Year – Debbie Elliott, Synovus

You Rock – Marion Riley Taylor, Crosspoint

Community Enrichment – Niceville-Valparaiso Kiwanis Club

Dennis Brown Servant Leader Award – Lannie Corbin, City of Niceville

Chair of the Board’s Award – Lee Lewis, AVCON Engineering & Planning

For the past 50 years, Rhodes Auto Repairs has been a staple in the Destin Community. The repair shop was founded by Luther and Donna Rhodes in March of 1973 at its present location, 327 Mountain Drive. Eventually, their son Scott took the reins and together with the help of his father, continued the family legacy.

In 1994, at the age of 16, Ben Causton started working at Rhodes. It all started with a broom, cleaning shop oors, packing bearings on boat trailers, changing oil, and nally making his way up the ladder to work on cars. He told Mr. Rhodes he was going to buy the business one day. Luther laughed and said, “Get to work, boy.” In 1999, Ben’s father told him it was his last chance to attend college, or he would not be paying for it. Ben’s mentor, Luther, encouraged him to go to college and said, “You will always have a job here, but you need to go to college,” and with that reassurance, Ben went to college. During his school breaks and summers, Ben continued his work at Rhodes Auto Repairs part-time. After receiving a degree in business administration in 2003 and meeting his future wife Nichole, he went to work for the corporate side of NAPA Auto Parts. For the next 15 years, Ben and his family moved around parts of Tennessee and Texas, living the corporate dream before deciding it was time to move back home to Destin. But even during the years Ben Causton and his family were away, they weren’t far from the Rhodes’ thoughts, and through the years the families remained close. When the Rhodes were off on one of their adventures in their RV, they made it a point to stop by and have dinner with Ben and his family. The same was true for Ben, returning during the holidays to visit family, he would go and see Luther to catch up and talk through life’s journeys and dreams.

After moving back to Destin, Ben went to work for the Porsche dealership until 2018 when he received the call from Luther he’d been waiting for his whole life. The Rhodes had decided it was time to settle down and nally enjoy retirement. After careful thought, they decided it was time to pass the torch and Luther’s rst call, of course, was to Ben. After a few months of negotiations, Ben made his dream a reality and took over ownership of Rhodes Auto Repairs in October of 2018. The following year, Ben’s wife, Nichole obtained her real estate brokerage license and founded Go Coastal Realty. Together they operate two businesses at 327 Mountain Drive where ONE family with BIG dreams helps other families with the biggest investments they make; automotive and real property!

Here’s to 50 more years and an awesome legacy of dedication to family, dedication to the community, and a steadfast promise of quality automotive care that you can depend on.