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May 2025

From the Director's Desk

By Nathan Sparks, CEcD

Well, that’s a wrap! Truly hard to believe, but the 8^th annual TeCMEN Industry Day held on May 14 at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center has now come and gone. If you were among our 370+ attendees, 46 exhibitors, 15 speakers or 18 sponsors – thank you! We certainly value your support and partnership in executing what has become one of One Okaloosa EDC’s signature annual events.

As many of you know, there is a special group of individuals known as the TeCMEN Industry Day (TID) Planning Committee. These individuals have become our “go to” group for brainstorming new and innovative additions to the annual TID agenda. In fact, new components of the program including the Speed Matchmaking with Federal Buyers segment we added last year, or the extremely well-received “Student Power Hour” (which allowed our 100+ student attendees to have dedicated time on the Expo Hall floor with our exhibitors) were borne out of conversations with the TID Planning Committee. This year’s TID Planning Committee included Nate Pierpoint, Rich Pruitt, Holly Karr, Nic Dezinski, David Haines, Laura Campbell, Caralee Gibson, Lauren Lee and Elizabeth Hayes – please join me in thanking them for their fantastic contributions! Finally, another group that I continue to be amazed by every single day is our dedicated One Okaloosa EDC team. As always, Kay Rasmussen, Cole Randall, Natalia Germany, Linda Sumblin and Monica Earley truly went above and beyond to ensure that this year’s version of TeCMEN Industry Day met the high standard that we have established over the years – thank you, team!

Of course, along with TeCMEN Industry Day, May is also graduation season. It seems that wherever you look these days – whether it be in person or on social media – people are celebrating these major milestones in the lives of their loved ones. On the personal front, my wife and I had the pleasure of attending our son Jackson’s graduation from Northwest Florida State College on May 9, and we’ll soon be attending his graduation from Collegiate High School. As one of literally thousands in an adoring audience of family and friends at the NWFSC graduation, I couldn’t help but acknowledge how blessed we are to live in a community that values education so dearly - and one that offers numerous pathways to a productive and meaningful life. Lastly, to all the graduates out there, congratulations on a job well done! If we here at One Okaloosa EDC can ever be a resource for you along your career journey, please let us know.

Tri-County Community Partnership Initiatives

By Kay Rasmussen, Associate Director

Through the EDC’s commitment to support the advancement of innovative collaborations supporting both local military installations and local communities, One Okaloosa formulated the Tri-County Community Partnership Initiative (TCPI) in 2013. The TCPI serves as an avenue to help foster parameters for enhanced partnerships across the region, while providing the opportunity to build and strengthen a community framework supporting Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field installations and missions.

The 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Section 331 provides the authority for installation commanders to partner with local governments to provide, receive or share support services for most municipal functions. The official EDC, Eglin and Hurlburt Community Partnership Program Leadership Committee was formalized in February 2015 with a charter execution amongst the three entities. This collaborative tool was re-instituted at an April 27, 2022 signing ceremony.

By working hand-in-hand with military and community leaders, a volunteer Advisory Board was developed to oversee the TCPI process which includes three lines of effort; 1) Quality of Life, 2) Infrastructure, and 3) Education and Training. Working Groups targeting specific initiatives are stood up as needed within each line of effort. These subject matter expert working groups identify challenges and opportunities and vet potential solutions to achieve mutual value and benefit.

The TCPI Advisory Board engaged in a strategic planning session September 2024 as a vector-check for current structure, focus areas and the path forward. As a result, specific workgroups were developed and/or refocused within each of the three lines of effort. In addition, a key objective is now focused predominantly on workforce development and talent creation.

John Schuliger of Delonix Professional Consulting facilitates the TCPI program as well as Advisory Board meetings. He is instrumental in navigating military mission support requirements and in fostering collaborative partnerships. To date, over 20 military-community partnership agreements support the tri-county communities while strengthening the military’s mission requirements. Additional information is available on the TCPI website.

Technology Coast Manufacturing & Engineering Network

By Nate Pierpoint, Chairman

The 8^th Annual TeCMEN Industry Day was held on May 14^th at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center. First… a BIG Shout Out and thanks to each of the TID generous sponsors, valued exhibitors, expert speakers, and to the guidance provided by TID planning committee for the successful event! Thanks also to the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center for providing such an excellent event venue.

This signature event was again SOLD OUT with a waiting list. There were 400 individuals registered with an additional 120 local students participating. The HSU Educational Foundation continued their sponsorship for the School Ambassadors representing Okaloosa County Public Schools, Rocky Bayou Christian School, Northwest Florida State College Colligate High School and HSU Educational Foundation.

This STEM focused event began with the Exhibit Hall opening at 7:30 a.m. The day was off and running with the Welcome and Opening Keynote – Building the Long-Range Weapon Kill Chain Test Infrastructure presentation by Mr. Michael Contratto, Technical Director, 96 Test Wing. New this year was the Exhibit Hall Student Power Hour, focusing on students meeting with local STEM industry leaders. A panel discussion, “Charting a Path to the Future: NWFSC/UWF Emerald Coast Campus” highlighted the way forward for the Emerald Coast campus as a regional STEM-focused educational hub.

The afternoon provided two contract matchmaking sessions hosted by the governmental contracting teams from Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field. Event participants signed up to meet with key representatives managing major acquisition and operational contracting shops from both installations sharing information of contracting timelines and the needs of our nation’s warriors.

We were honored to introduce the Luncheon Keynote speaker, Jeff Hoffman, (Founding Team Member Priceline.com & Booking.Com, Former CEO UBID.com, Chair of the Board Global Entrepreneurship Network). Jeff encouraged everyone to stay focused on solving real problems that matter to people and working at only what we do exceptionally well. Mr. Hoffman’s charity organization, World Youth Horizons, focuses on expanding and broadening youth horizons across the world.

The afternoon concluded with a workshop conducted by FloridaMakes high-lighting ways to benefit from the Best Practices learned from winners of Florida’s “Manufacturing of the Year” program.

Jeff Hoffman’s words of wisdom were best exemplified that day by the One Okaloosa team that supported every aspect of the TeCMEN Industry Day to the highest level. Linda, Kay, Cole, Monica, Natalia, and Nathan made it a resounding success. Their dedication and focus to growing our region’s economy reflects unmatched skill and deserves the highest recognition.

Business Retention & Expansion

By Cole Randall, Project Manager

Strong leadership is essential to a thriving economy, and recent events across Okaloosa County have made that clearer than ever.

I recently completed the Leadership Okaloosa 2024–2025 program through Northwest Florida State College. Led by Brenda Robinson, our class of 60 professionals visited each Chamber of Commerce in the county and engaged with key leaders on topics including economics, governance, and leadership. At graduation, NWFSC President Mel Ponder delivered a powerful message on Strategy vs. Culture, sharing what I’ve come to call Mel’s 7 Leadership Principles—a timely reminder that leadership is about influence, not just direction.

Just a day later, One Okaloosa hosted our 8th Annual TeCMEN Industry Day, featuring Jeff Hoffman, who presented on Servant Leadership – The Path to Success. His talk challenged us to lead with humility and service—an approach that builds both strong teams and strong communities.

Looking ahead, we’re pleased to announce our 4th Professional Webinar Series with LEADERSHIPTEN™, happening June 11 at 10:00 AM CDT. The session, Leadership in the Mirror – Challenging the Leader’s Mindset, will be led by Mark Noon, Robb Schiefer, and Dianne Guthmuller. Please consider joining us for this FREE professional development opportunity and register using the link below:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5746508908803701849

Leadership at all levels—public, private, and personal—continues to shape the direction of Okaloosa County. As we invest in infrastructure and workforce, we must also invest in people. That’s how communities grow stronger.

Welcome New Members

Members in the News

Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Bonnie Barlow, president and chief executive officer of Bridgeway Center, Inc., to the Florida Rehabilitation Council on May 2. The Florida Rehabilitation Council (FRC) is part of a state network established to assist in planning and developing statewide rehabilitation programs and services. All members are appointed by the governor and includes education leaders, business executives and disability advocates from across the state.

Northwest Florida State College has been named a Gold-Level Military Friendly School for the 2025-26 academic year, one of only six Florida schools to attain the distinction. The designation, awarded following an independent evaluation of more than 1,800 colleges and universities nationwide by militaryfriendly.com, recognizes institutions that excel in providing services and resources to veterans, active-duty service members and their families.