Impact 100 Sees Their Impact for the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida
By Barbara Palmgren
In November, 2023, the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida received the Impact 100 grant of $100,000 to build a 1400 sq. foot addition to the museum. The room cost was an additional $80,000 raised from donations. The room included two handicapped bathrooms and a ramp connecting the room to the museum itself.
The evening of November 2023, Susan Page, trustee for the museum, gave a moving speech to the members of Impact 100, promising that the first exhibit for the new room would be to honor the upcoming 50th anniversary of Eglin Air Force creating and operating a rescue camp to house over 11,000 refugees fleeing the country after the fall of Saigon.
Joni Wallace, President of Impact 100, opened the meeting. Susan Page, Museum Development Chair, welcomed and thanked the group again. Barbara Palmgren, Exhibits Chair, discussed the design of the exhibit and how to view it. Attendees then enjoyed appetizers as they toured the exhibit and the museum itself. The room that was promised was now reality!
Ladies were encouraged to wear hats for this social gathering and museum volunteers, Deborah Edgar, Carol Schneider, and Jene McCraken, created a special “history” hat display in a large display case. If you wanted to know what a lady would wear in the 1930’s, look no further than the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida!
Attending also from California was Kim Delevett, a former refugee who helped organize a reunion for former refugees, military personnel and volunteers at the exhibit on May 3. Kim arrived on June 19 to personally thank Impact 100 and share healing stories from the May 3 event. Kim wore a hat as well – her “Mrs. Vietnam USA” pageant crown. Kim will compete for the title of “Mrs. Asia USA” later this year.
Mid-Bay Rotary Supports Tools for Schools Drive
Mid-Bay Rotary recently joined forces with Sharing and Caring to support the annual Tools for Schools drive, helping ensure local children start the school year prepared with essential supplies such as paper, pencils, pens and more. The goal of the initiative is to equip every student with the tools they need to succeed from day one. To support the effort, Mid-Bay Rotary presented two $500 checks—one to Sharing and Caring and one directly to the Tools for Schools program. Pictured: Mid-Bay Rotary President John Sallman and Rotary Partner Ashley Sallman; Rotarian Art Rosenbaum; Tools for Schools Committee Chair Nancy Nast; Sharing and Caring First Vice President Claire Robbins; and Sharing and Caring volunteers Lynda Miesch, Marilinda Beduhm, and Cheryl McDermott, who help facilitate the Tools for Schools program.
City of Niceville Welcomes New Fire Chief, Alex Kukulus
The City of Niceville has a new Fire Chief, Alex Kukulus! Chief Kukulus will be replacing the current fire chief, Tommy Mayville, who is retiring after 43 years of service with the Niceville Fire Department. Chief Kukulus’ first day was Friday, July 18th.
Chief Kukulus brings 28 years of experience in the fire service, having worked his way up through every rank in the department until his retirement in 2022 as the Deputy Fire Chief in Reno, NV (Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue). He also has 25 years of experience as a Paramedic.
Chief Kukulus has been living in Navarre for the past three years with his wife Breanne and their teenage twins, Mason and Madison. He is eager to get involved in the community and work alongside his fellow firefighters. “I am excited to begin this new endeavor and become a part of the close-knit community of Niceville,” remarks Kukulus.
Knights of Columbus Honored for Longstanding Service to Habitat for Humanity
The Knights of Columbus Council 13527 at Christ Our Redeemer Catholic Church in Niceville has been recognized with a statewide award for its outstanding service to Okaloosa County Habitat for Humanity.
The honor was presented at the Florida Knights of Columbus Annual Convention in Jacksonville, where representatives from more than 340 councils gathered. The Niceville-based council was selected from among 60,000 members across the state for its 15+ years of dedication to Habitat’s mission of building affordable housing.
Council 13527 consistently provides 12 to 20 volunteers for each workday, taking on physically demanding tasks including digging foundations, framing walls, installing drywall, flooring, siding, cabinets, and more. Their manpower has made them a go-to group for large-scale jobs like house framing.
At two recent builds in Crestview, the Knights completed full wall framing and installation in under eight hours—work that would typically take several days.
Their continued commitment has made a lasting impact on the local community and helped many families achieve the dream of homeownership.
United Fidelity Bank Names Shaun Foster New Business Development Officer
United Fidelity Bank has appointed Shaun Foster as Assistant Vice President and Business Development Officer for the Destin/FWB market. A Choctawhatchee High School graduate and longtime local, Foster brings 18 years of banking experience and a passion for building client relationships.
“We’re so excited to have Shaun’s experience and dedication here in the Fort Walton Beach area,” the bank stated. “If you’re looking for someone who is committed to understanding your individual banking needs… Shaun is your guy!”
A Fort Walton Beach native, Foster earned degrees from Northwest State College and Troy University. Currently residing in Niceville with his wife and two children, Shaun actively volunteers with A Bed 4 Me and serves on the boards of ECF and CALM.
United Fidelity Bank operates banking centers in both Fort Walton Beach and Destin.
For more info, visit www.unitedfidelity.com.
Walton Chamber Seeks Speakers for “The Next BIG Thing” Conference
The Walton Area Chamber of Commerce is now accepting speaker applications for its 2025 “The Next BIG Thing” Annual Conference, set for October 6 at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa. Presented by Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast and Eglin Federal Credit Union, the event will feature dynamic sessions focused on Leadership Development, Entrepreneurship and Women in Business. Over 200 professionals are expected to attend the one-day event, which includes TED Talk-style presentations, breakout workshops, networking, complimentary headshots, and more. Speaker applications are due by midnight August 9 at waltonareachamber.com.
To register or sponsor, visit waltonareachamber.com/the-next-big-thing or contact Gabrielle Hamilton at (850) 892-3191 or Gabrielle@WaltonAreaChamber.com.
Applications Open for Class IV of Leadership Northwest Florida
Florida’s Great Northwest is now accepting applications for Class IV of Leadership Northwest Florida, a regional leadership program designed to cultivate informed, collaborative leaders across all industries. Participants will explore key economic development topics such as business vitality, talent, infrastructure, innovation and quality of life—while building a strong network of regional changemakers. Applications are due by August 21, 2025. For details, contact Kasey Killebrew at (334) 790-4557, kkillebrew@fgnw.org or visit floridasgreatnorthwest.com/lnwfl.
CATALYST Program Ignites Tech Innovation at Hurlburt
The 1st Special Operations Wing and HSU Educational Foundation launched CATALYST—a hands-on, 7-week training program designed to equip Airmen with tech skills to solve real-world challenges within their units.
Kicking off July 8, 2025, at HSU’s campus near Hurlburt Field, the program—Critical Analysis Training Accelerator: Learning to Yield Solutions through Technology—teaches coding, data analysis, and project management using Air Force-approved tools like Python, Envision, and Microsoft Power Platform.
“This empowers Airmen to drive innovation in their own squadrons,” said Col. Patrick Dierig, 1 SOW commander. “You’re now the pathfinders.”
Led by industry experts, the course combines classroom instruction with real-world applications and a capstone project. Graduates return to their units with new tech solutions, dashboards, and certifications that save time, money, and manpower.
“This program adds skills to already talented individuals and gives them the tools to create their own solutions,” said Amy Negron, CEO of HSU Educational Foundation.
If successful, CATALYST could expand across Air Force Special Operations Command and beyond.
Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club Hosts First-Ever AJGA Tournament
Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club successfully hosted its first American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) tournament May 27–30, drawing top junior golfers from across the U.S. and beyond to Santa Rosa Beach.
Local standout Neely Kight, a rising high school sophomore, tied for second place, while Puerto Rico native Krishny Elwin—now living in Orlando—won the girls division, praising the course for its player-friendly design. The tournament featured 54 holes of championship play, a practice round, and strong community and business involvement. Santa Rosa’s grounds crew earned high marks for preparing a tournament-ready course, making the event a hit with players and spectators alike. With positive feedback from AJGA officials, the event positions Santa Rosa Beach as a rising destination for junior golf.
For more information, visit santarosaclub.com, call (850) 267-2229, or follow on Instagram and Facebook. Media inquiries: zach@santarosaclub.com.
Northeast Okaloosa County Named Rural Area of Opportunity
Northeast Okaloosa County has officially been designated a Rural Area of Opportunity (RAO) by Gov. Ron DeSantis, joining a regional network of counties poised for economic growth. The designation is designed to attract job-creating industries by offering key incentives and support for development.
“This designation strengthens our efforts to bring higher-wage jobs to residents, especially as we continue expanding infrastructure in the Shoal River Industrial Park,” said County Commission Chairman Paul Mixon.
The RAO now includes Okaloosa’s northeast quadrant—east of State Road 85 and north of I-10—including Laurel Hill and the unincorporated areas of Auburn, Deerland, and Svea. Okaloosa joins nearby counties like Holmes, Wakulla, and portions of Walton in the Northwest RAO region.
Recent RAO success stories include Probes Unlimited and Busy Bee in Holmes County, and armor manufacturer Point Blank Enterprises in Wakulla County.
“This gives us another powerful tool to attract industry and jobs,” said One Okaloosa EDC Executive Director Nathan Sparks. “We’re grateful to Gov. DeSantis for recognizing our region’s potential.”
RAO benefits include:
- Waivers for state grant match and wage requirements
- Access to rural job tax credits and incentives
- Expedited state permitting
- Representation by Opportunity Florida (opportunityflorida.com)
- Scholarships for local leaders to attend development conferences
