Gulf Chamber of Commerce hosts annual dinner

The Gulf County Chamber of Commerce honored its own last Thursday during its 74th annual dinner, held in Port St. Joe's historic Centennial building.

The night's three guest speakers shared their vision for the new Sacred Heart Hospital on the Gulf, slated for a March 15 opening.

President and CEO Roger Hall, COO/CNO Sandra Todd-Atkinson and medical director James Ward delivered their remarks after the hospital earned the Chamber's "Member of the Year" honor.

Charlie Norton received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his many years of participation with the Chamber.

Jeremy Novak of Novak Law Offices/GCPS replaced the outgoing Ralph Roberson as Chamber president.

Other new officers include: vice-president Bobby Pickels of Progress Energy; secretary Michael Hammond, the assistant county administrator and treasurer Melissa Farrell of Joseph's Cottage.

Board directors include Randy Raffield of Raffield Fisheries, Guerry Madgison of GPM Financial, Dave Ashbrook of MainStay Suites, Steve Newman of Big Fish Construction and Johanna White of Vision Bank.