Lisa Jo Spencer first came to Okaloosa County in 1997 when the Air Force transferred her to Eglin Air Force Base. Originally from Speedway, Indiana, she and her husband, Gary, quickly fell in love with the area and decided to make it their permanent home.

• Today, Lisa Jo is the sole attorney at Lisa Jo Spencer, PA, where she focuses on estate planning, trust administration and probate administration. She approaches each client and family individually, recognizing that no estate plan or probate matter is ever truly “cookie cutter.”

Whether she is meeting with clients, serving through the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce or finding time for a boat ride with Gary, Lisa Jo has learned to value balance and make space for what matters most.

Are you a lifelong local? If not, where are you originally from, and how did you end up in the area?

I was born and raised in Speedway, Indiana—home of the Indianapolis 500! I still love all kinds of racing, but the Indy 500 will always be my favorite.

I went to college in Tennessee and during my last semester, my parents retired to Treasure Island, Florida. That is where Gary, my husband, and I met at church.

After Gary and I were married and had our son, Garrett, I decided to attend law school, which I could not have managed without the support and encouragement of Gary and our families.

After passing the Florida Bar, I joined the Air Force as a Judge Advocate. We were initially stationed at Cannon AFB in New Mexico, but in 1997, I was transferred to Eglin AFB.

We fell in love with the area and decided to make it our home. We love it here and are so glad we decided to stay. I would not want to live anywhere else!

What’s your current job title, and where do you work?

I have a small law firm, Lisa Jo Spencer, PA. I am the sole attorney. We focus on estate planning, trust administration and probate administration.

What’s your morning routine?

I wake up a little before 5 most mornings and spend time with the Lord in prayer and reading the Bible.

After that, I have my morning tea, and Gary and I spend time talking and catching up on what is going on in our lives, the world and our community. I head to work around 8 a.m. to get myself organized for the day.

I cherish my mornings as I need renewal from the Lord each morning, and the time with Gary is equally important since many times it feels like we are going in different directions between work, family and life, so the quiet, peaceful morning is a great time for us to just chat and hang out without the daily interruptions that happen as our days get going.

Describe what a typical workday looks like for you.

No day is the same, which is a good.

Now that my paralegal, Jessy, is in law school and working remotely, it is just Jules and I in the office, although Jessy and I communicate throughout the day making sure we are on track with the various cases and estate planning matters we have in the works.

Most days, Jules and I see several new clients, and the rest of the day is spent drafting and reviewing estate planning or probate documents, responding to emails or assisting existing clients over the phone.

Nothing we work on is “cookie cutter,” so each estate plan and each family we are assisting with probate or trust administration requires individual attention and a thoughtful assessment of how to best assist each client.

I love what I do, and many of our clients become dear friends and close acquaintances.

Additionally, I am still quite active in the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, so several times a month, I attend meetings and networking events. I am also involved with a few nonprofits, so I occasionally have meetings during the day related to those.

As I have gotten older, I’ve been able to not to spend every minute during the day at the office and sneak out for a long lunch or a boat ride with Gary as often as I can, thanks to Jessy and Jules keeping things held down at the office!

What’s the first thing you do when you start your workday?

I usually say a quick prayer and ask for wisdom as I start the workday. Then, I double-check my calendar and catch up on emails.

I am a news junky, so I read a lot of online news blogs, or at least scan the headlines, to see what other perspectives are out there that might be different from what I had seen on the news that morning.

As I check what my day looks like, I review client files and make sure I am prepared for each client meeting.

Apple or Android?

Apple.

What’s your go-to coffee or tea order?

Tea in the morning at home, but if I am at a coffee shop, I generally get a mocha (hot or cold).

What’s your go-to lunch spot or work snack?

Most days, I go home for lunch and eat with Gary and my mom (who lives with us).

What’s one local business you love supporting?

Wow, that is tough! We believe in buying local whenever possible, so we tend to shop at as many locally owned stores and eat at as many non-chain restaurants as much as we can.

We like getting to know the people who work where we shop and eat. Favorite local eateries include Buffalo’s Reef, Wood Foot, GI Jade’s, Bay Cafe and Slippery Mermaid.

If you could give your 20-year-old self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Slow down and enjoy each moment for what it is, and spend as much time with family and friends as possible!

Work/life balance is the key to staying fulfilled!

How do you unwind after a long day?

When I get home, Gary and I like to spend time catching up on the happenings of the day out on our deck with our two Basset hounds (Bonnie and Clyde).

We put on some music, watch the boats go by and try to decompress before it is time to start worrying about dinner. Anyone who really knows me, knows there is probably a glass of wine in my hand, too!

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?

Gary and I have been known to sing John Prine’s “In Spite of Ourselves” at karaoke on occasion.

There are a few Chamber friends who might have heard it a time or two!

What’s your favorite local event or tradition?

Mardi Gras season!

As a member of the Fort Walton Beach Mardi Gras Club, I love my crazy Mardi Gras sisters. During the season, we are together often rehearsing our dances for our ball (I am a terrible dancer and usually need some extra rehearsals, lol) and of course, we love parading!

Although our theme is “No Socially Redeeming Values – NSRV” these ladies are some of the most giving and supportive women in our community.

What’s inspiring you right now?

We recently got a new boat, so that is all I want to do right now!

I love being on the water, whether it is taking the family out, spending time on one of the spoil islands in the Sound with our friends, fishing with Gary or if it just he and I putting around, I’m definitely in my happy place when I am on or around the water.

Early bird or night owl?

Early bird! I would go to bed at 8 p.m. every night if I could.

Most-used emoji?

Hug or praying hands

Music while working—yes or no?

Yes! Most of the time it is contemporary Christian or Southern Gospel music, but I love all kinds of music!

What’s your favorite motivational quote?

Philippians 4:13: For I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

I love to reflect on this verse because it reminds me Who is really in control and to lean on Him, no matter what I am facing.

Are you a member of the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce?

Yes!!! I have been a member of the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce for over 20 years.

In my opinion, we have the best Chamber around because our Chamber doesn’t just cater to the larger businesses and organizations. It truly welcomes the little guys like me and allows us to have a say in the leadership and direction of the Chamber, too!

I have served on numerous committees through the years and was the chair in 2011. The highlight of my Chamber membership was when the Board of Directors selected me to be the 11th Life Director, which means I have a permanent seat on the Board!

I still love to attend as many meetings and events as I can. Through the years, I have made so many great friends through the Chamber.

Additionally, I’ve been able to directly help our community through many of the initiatives the Chamber has brought forward. The one nearest and dearest to my heart is One Hopeful Place, which I have been blessed to be part of from the beginning.

I love to mentor new members and show them that by getting involved, their businesses will just naturally grow since people do business with people they know and trust.

We truly have a special Chamber that is unlike any other. If you have not joined, you should!