Meeting Bobby Wagner

Introducing Destin’s newest — and youngest — mayor

BY NICK COREY

Despite comparative youth, 28-yearold Bobby Wagner has launched, overseen and been actively involved in a number of businesses and philanthropic projects. At 19, along with a partner, he opened his first business, Beachfront Productions, before going onto his other business ventures to include 30A Wedding Videography and Land Air Sea Productions.

He’d eventually take on environmental efforts, too, becoming executive director of Trees on the Coast, a nonprofit organization involved in enhancing and preserving Destin’s natural, environmental beauty. And, along with two other friends, Wagner led the Divers Down Pollution Project, dedicated to removing man-made debris from Destin’s waters. One excursion hauled in over 200 pounds of fishing line, lures and hooks off the Okaloosa Island Pier.

Once quipped by Benjamin Franklin, “If you want something done, ask a busy person,” Wagner defines this truism in spades.

And if he wasn’t busy enough, Wagner decided to run in Destin’s recent mayoral election, winning with 60% of the votes.

Wagner said he’s been fortunate. Originally from upstate New York, his family moved from the Northeast to Destin when he was 11.

Wagner described his childhood as “amazing.”

“My parents provided great examples to me throughout my childhood,” Wagner said. “When I joined the school band, Mom became one of the band moms. Dad was president of the little league. Growing up, volunteering and being involved in something bigger than yourself was modeled for me.”

Previously serving a year on Destin’s city council, Wagner became engaged in local government while working on environmental projects, planting trees throughout Destin or cleaning out harbors. He observed the connection between politics and local government — and the possibilities of making true, actual strides in protecting Destin’s natural resources, its environment and improving quality of life for residents.

After his first year on council, Wagner felt he could most productively tap into his talents by being directly involved in deciding factors.

“The role council serves is necessary, but most often, our only impact is on what’s brought before us, voting on which projects are presented to us,” he said. “We’re the back-end votes necessary to decide if something moves forward or not.”

Call it a heightened sense of duty, altruism or simply a nagging feeling he could do more — Wagner felt compelled to run for mayor.

“We had a grassroots campaign,” Wagner said. “I think I was elected because of the ground game we had. Important to us was making it clear that, even though we are a traveldestination paradise — something we’re obviously proud of — putting locals first needs to be a priority.”

It doesn’t take much time to perceive the belief in taking care of Destin and its residents to be ventures compatible with Wagner’s nature. He steadfastly feels that decisions regarding Destin’s vacation industry should always have full-time residents in mind.

Then, becoming a deciding factor on what comes before council appealed to him. As mayor, Wagner imagines projects with Destin residents as a priority becoming a reality.

“Having the ability to be involved at the local level, its impact on residents, the parks, the waterways — that’s important to me,” Wagner said. “As mayor, I’ll be keeping in mind the primary reasons my past projects were successful: The people of Destin and local agencies stepped up, their collaborative willingness was incredible.”

To Wagner, the people of Destin are its greatest resource.

“Local residents and small business owners offered their time and resources to many of our projects, whether with Trees on the Coast or Divers Down.

Whatever I needed, locals and local agencies were amazing. And volunteers for our projects came from all walks of life. Whether they were successful business people or those with little means, they all wanted to help their community. It’s heartwarming.

“The Destin Fire Department assisted us on dives, using their boat to set up a safety perimeter. The sheriff’s department worked with us. Emerald Coast Scuba supplied us with air and people.”

Just one, snapshot-example of local benevolence?

“Divers Down started with around nine to 10 people on our clean-up dives; we’re now up to over 100 diver-volunteers willing to assist,” Wagner said.

“The investment and willingness of Destin locals — that’s the reason