The Destin Chamber marked the graduation of 16 business professionals from the 18th Destin Forward class on May 7, capping an eight-month program designed to develop future city and business leaders.
- Kyle Davis of Integrity Financial Group received the Destin Forward Leadership Award, which is chosen by a vote of the class.
Destin Forward is a community education and leadership program created to find and educate future leaders in the city. Following a retreat in August, the class spent the program touring and learning about Destin’s waterways, tourism industry, arts and culture, nonprofits, environment, city programs and services, economic development and the military.
Class requirements include attendance at several Chamber and civic functions, as well as a group project that creates a lasting impact on the city. This year’s class is restoring the tank in front of American Legion Post 296 in Destin.
With this class, the program’s alumni total has reached 283.
Graduates of the Destin Forward Class of 2026 are:
- Graduates of the Destin Forward Class of 2026 are:
- Chris Wade, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast
- Wendy Baggett, First National Bank
- Lesley Brown, First Security Bank
- Kyle Davis, Integrity Financial Group
- Shannon Davis, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast
- Amber Feliz, Greystar Property Management
- Dan Feliz, Raymond James and Associates
- Megan Gehlbach, Gypsea Pool and Spa
- Ed Hart, BluePoint Financial LLC
- Jessica Jullian, Destin Water Users
- Jolie Kremser, Community Bank
- Evangeline Mercado, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Destin
- Beatriz Miller, City of Destin
- Davis Parrish, Renasant Financial Services
- Andrew Rowe, NexTech Business Solutions, LLC
- Brand Thaggard, Warren Averett
Four class members, also chosen by class vote, will join the Destin Forward Advisory Board for three-year terms to help guide the program for future classes. Those selected are Wendy Baggett, Megan Gehlbach, Jessica Jullian and Beatriz Miller.
Applications are now available for the Destin Forward Class of 2027. For more information, call 850-837-6241 or email mail@DestinChamber.com.
