ô
September:
Eli Caison, President and CEO of
Grey Aviation Advisers & Solutions. In the
interview, Eli shares how he and his team
of veterans have formed a unique new
business that utilizes their former
Special Operations pilot skills and
experiences; Special Mission Activities,
Aviation Instruction, Safety, and
Development of Tactics, Techniques and
Procedures. His team uses these special
skills around the world in their new
venture in the private business world
making their home base in the EDC’s
Innovation Center
located on the UWF Combs Campus.
ôAugust: Dr. Rick Harper, Director
of the
UWF Haas Center
for Business Research and Economic
Development. The topics of discussion on
this month’s TV show are centered on the
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and
Unemployment for Northwest Florida.
ôJuly:
Mayor Sam Seevers,
City of Destin.
Mayor Seevers has focused heavily on the
current Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill issue
and serves on the Oil Spill Task Force
assembled by Governor Crist. Mayor
Seevers is passionate about her efforts to
preserve Destin’s quality of life and for
its residents and visitors to know that
the City is doing everything it can to
help lessen any negative economic impact
from this man-made disaster.
ô
June:
Mark Bellinger, Executive Director
Tourist Development
Council. Mr. Bellinger
has hit the road running in his new
position with the Deepwater Horizon
disaster. The TDC recently hosted
the Emergency Marketing Strategy
meeting to develop strategies in response
to this incident.
ô
April:
Nicole Gislason, Director of the
Unviersity of West Florida IT Academy.
Mrs. Gislason highlights the partnership
among the EDC, UWF and the Workforce
Development Board on an incumbent worker
training program offered to
TeCMEN
members.
ô
March:
Darrel Jones, Executive Director
Tourist Development Council. Mr.
Jones has been committed to serving our
area for the last 20 years.
ô
February:
Rick Harper, University of West
Florida Haas Center. Dr. Harper
provided an overview of the local economy,
the recovery acts initiated, and the
outlook for our near future.
ô
January:
J.R. McDonald, Vice President Lockheed
Martin, Northwest Florida Operation.
Mr. McDonald provided an overview of the
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Initial Training
Center locating at Eglin AFB.
ô
December: Alan Baggett, Executive Vice President of the
Building Industry Association (BIA) of Okaloosa & Walton
Counties. Alan addresses BIA’s Building Stronger
efforts, the extended $8,000 credit for first-time home
buyers, the $6,500 tax credit for existing home owners, and
the federal government's interest in establishing appraisal
guidelines that will minimize the effect of distressed sales
and foreclosures on property appraisals. On January 12, 2010
BIA is sponsoring a “2010 Economic & Housing Forecast” at the
Northwest Florida Fair Grounds.
ô
November:
Tim McDonald, President of Fort
Walton Machining and EAS Doors. In this
episode, Tim shares information about his
new manufacturing growth operation for
Fort Walton Machining and his development
of EAS Doors and Windows, Inc.; a high
quality door and window system designed
for the Florida market. EAS Doors has been
the recipient of two very distinguished
awards: Boeing Supplier of the Year and
the NASA Small Business Supplier of the
Year Award.
ô
October:
Michael
Saucier, Regional Supervisor of Field Operations, MMS Gulf
of Mexico Region; and Gary Goeke, Chief of the
Environmental Assessment Section in the MMS Gulf of Mexico
Region Office of Leasing and Environment. Mr. Saucier
and Mr. Goeke were the EDC's keynote
speakers at our
Alternative Energy
Forum.
