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Good morning!
Here’s what we’re covering today:
Crestview City Manager Tim Bolduc announces his departure after six years of service, while Okaloosa Gas’s new headquarters progresses toward fall completion in Valparaiso. President Trump taps Eglin AFB’s Dale Marks to lead the Department of Defense’s energy and environment efforts, and Bit-Wizards marks 25 years of community impact.
- HURLBURT FIELD: Hurlburt Field will be conducting explosive demolition training between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., Feb. 6. During the training, nearby residents may hear loud noise or feel the vibrations associated with the demolition charge detonations that are planned to occur periodically throughout the day. Base officials advise if the humidity is high or if there is cloud coverage, the effects can seem louder and closer than on clear days.
GIVING BACK
Galentine’s Day Fundraiser raises $106,000 for young women in need in Northwest Florida
The Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation’s fourth annual Galentine’s Day Fundraiser generated a record-breaking $106,000 to support young women and girls across Northwest Florida through various support programs.
The February 1 gathering, hosted by DCWAF trustee Candis Wilson and board members Tiffany Edwards, Jeanne Dailey, and Lane Redding, brought together influential women from the community. Comedian Stacy Pederson delivered the keynote address at the event, which featured exclusively female-owned and operated businesses and vendors.
The funds will be distributed to support the following initiatives:
- Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast
- Caring & Sharing of South Walton
- Children in Crisis, Inc.
- Children’s Volunteer Health Network
- Emerald Coast Autism Center
- Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center
- Habitat for Humanity of Walton County
- Point Washington Medical Clinic
- Westonwood Ranch
- Youth Village
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BUSINESS
Okaloosa Gas’ headquarters in Valparaiso on track for fall completion
Construction of Okaloosa Gas District’s new headquarters in Valparaiso continues to progress, with the 160,000-square-foot complex scheduled for September completion.
- The facility will consolidate operations from multiple aging buildings – some dating back to 1953 – into a modern campus designed for both current needs and future expansion.
“Our people, our employees deserve better than what we’ve been able to provide for them,” said Gordon King, Okaloosa Gas CEO. “We’ve built a building that’s solid, strong, and it’s going to be here for a long time. We have a responsibility to our customers to make sure we’re there to provide service to them 24 hours a day, year round, and this facility will enable us to do that.”
The complex features extensive upgrades from the company’s existing facilities, incorporating modern design elements throughout. “It kind of matches who Okaloosa Gas is,” King said. “When we went through the design phase, it’s clean, it’s efficient, it’s natural. And it’s got that kind of look and touch to it.”
- A distinctive architectural feature includes exposed industrial elements throughout the building. “You’ll notice when you get into the building that it’s going to have a quasi-industrial look to it,” King explained.
The building’s design prioritizes collaboration and communication between departments that are currently separated. A central stairway connecting the second through fourth floors creates an open atmosphere that encourages employee interaction.
“Currently, our marketing department is isolated, our operations people are isolated, our engineering people don’t communicate with our service people – that will all come together with the new facility,” King said.
The facility includes numerous community-focused amenities, including a 300-person conference center and cafeteria. “There are a few other amenities to the facility that the community will be able to utilize,” King said. “All of the facilities are built for the District to utilize should we have a hurricane and we need to take care of our people or bring assistance in from the outside.”
BUSINESS
Bit-Wizards celebrates 25 years with continued focus on people, community impact
Bit-Wizards, a local managed IT services provider, marks its silver anniversary this month after growing from a two-person software engineering startup to an award-winning technology company that has served over 500 clients nationwide.
- Co-founders Vince Mayfield and Louis Erickson established the company in Austin, Texas on Feb. 1, 2000, before returning to their hometown and opening their first office in Shalimar, Florida in 2001. Both founders had previously served in active duty military and worked in the defense industry before deciding to venture into the civilian sector.
“The idea was that we wanted to create a great place to work—where engineers who loved building software would be happy and treated well,” Erickson said. “One of our greatest innovations was focusing on our engineers in order to take care of our customers.”
The early days weren’t easy. After signing a five-year lease and preparing to hire their first employees in 2001, the 9/11 attacks caused potential clients to freeze their budgets. Tax records show the founders each earned only $1,500 in 2002.
- Those early days often meant working unusual hours. “I remember one night when the Shalimar police walked in cautiously with hands over their guns, asking what we were doing in our office at 2 a.m., and we had to explain that we were entrepreneurs,” Erickson recalled.
Despite those initial challenges, the company began expanding in 2003 with its first hire, John Jackson, who remains with the company today. By 2006, the team had grown to 15 employees. In 2004, the company earned Microsoft Gold Partner status and began its longest-running client relationship with TSA Consulting Group.
In 2021, the company established the Be the Magic Foundation to formalize its charitable giving. Since returning to Northwest Florida in 2001, Bit-Wizards has contributed over $3 million to local nonprofits. Both founders have remained active in local leadership, with Mayfield serving as the 2020 Board of Directors Chair for the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce.
Today, the Fort Walton Beach-based company operates from its Ready Avenue location, focusing on providing managed IT services to clients throughout the southeast and across the country. Both founders attribute their longevity to maintaining strong relationships and learning from both successes and setbacks.
POLITICS
Trump nominates Eglin AFB’s Dale Marks to lead DOD’s energy and environment work
President Trump has nominated Dale Marks, the executive director of the 96th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, to serve as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations and Environment.
- The nomination, sent to the Senate on Feb. 3, would fill the position previously held by Brendan Owens, who resigned.
If confirmed, Marks would oversee the Defense Department’s management of military installations worldwide and its environmental, safety, and occupational health programs. His current role already involves significant installation management experience, as he directs base operations at Eglin — the Air Force’s largest installation at 726 square miles.
At Eglin, Marks manages more than 10,000 military, civilian and contractor personnel. The 96th Test Wing conducts testing of conventional munitions, command and control systems, aircraft avionics and guidance systems, and radar cross section measurement.
His responsibilities include overseeing eight groups and 32 squadrons, operating 38 modified test aircraft and managing 120,000 square miles of over-water test ranges plus facilities in six states.
- His background includes relevant environmental experience, having served as a Senior Environmental Consultant to the office of Secretary of the Air Force Energy, Installations, and Environment. Before his current role, Marks served as Deputy Director of Strategy, Plans, Programming, and Analysis for National Guard Bureau Space Operations.
His career includes military service spanning 24 years in both Active Duty and National Guard roles, during which he logged over 3,000 hours as a combat fighter pilot in multiple aircraft. His extensive experience includes a deployment to Kabul, Afghanistan, as Chief of Staff for Operational Sustainment, and service as Deputy Chief of Staff at Continental North American Aerospace Defense Command Region.
The Senate Armed Services Committee will consider Marks’ nomination.
NEWS
Crestview City Manager Tim Bolduc announces departure after six-year tenure
City Manager Tim Bolduc announced his resignation Tuesday after six years of service to the City of Crestview, setting his departure date for April 30, 2025. Bolduc is also the city’s first ever City Manager.
- In his resignation letter to the mayor and city council, Bolduc wrote that the role of city manager “should not be permanent but should instead be one of stewardship to improve the community and to establish a firm foundation for the next leader.”
Bolduc outlined a transition plan centered on three key long-term strategies: a roadmap for sustainable growth, a comprehensive facility renewal and replacement strategy, and a vision for expanded recreational amenities through a new sports complex strategy.
“Coming to Crestview has been the greatest honor of my professional career,” Bolduc wrote, highlighting achievements in employee culture, financial stability, and improved community perception during his tenure.
- The outgoing city manager will work with the Deputy City Manager and city staff to ensure continuity of ongoing projects and establish initial budget strategies for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. His plan includes maintaining relationships with external agencies and stakeholders to preserve the city’s momentum.
In his letter, Bolduc praised the mayor as “one of the most remarkable men I have had the pleasure of getting to know” and commended the city council members as “the most honorable, caring and committed” he had worked with over his six years.
Under Bolduc’s leadership, the city implemented the motto “One City, One Mission” and transitioned to a manager form of government. His administration focused on “Improving the Quality of Life by Providing Exceptional Municipal Services,” according to the letter.
- “Choosing The View was one of the best decisions of my life,” Bolduc said, referring to his time in Crestview.
The city has not yet announced plans for selecting Bolduc’s successor.
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