220 Chamber members helped kick-off the Chamber's new program year at the Annual Installation Meeting. Ted Corcoran (Abbott Resorts - A ResortQuest Company) continued in his role as Master of Ceremonies for the Meeting, keeping all the guests entertained throughout the evening.

Having completed her term as President, Joyce Szilvasy (CHELCO) talked about several key accomplishments the Chamber has had during the past year: hiring a new Executive Director, identification of a site for the Chamber's new building in Santa Rosa Beach, the formation of a non-profit Foundation, creation of the 1999-2000 Program of Work, First Friday Luncheon programs, and the implementation of an Ambassador's recognition program.

The Chamber's new President Albert Butler thanked Joyce for her year of service to the organization and presented her an engraved mahogany and brass desk clock. In his comments, Butler spoke about the tremendous growth Walton County has seen over the past 10 years and what an exciting time it is for the County and the Chamber. He called upon Lane Rees (Human Resource Solutions, Inc.), Chairman of the Program Committee to present the Program of Work and Alvin Bettcher (Seaside) to brief the membership on the activities of the Foundation's Marketing and Building Committees.

1999-2000 Officers were installed by Judge David Green. (left to right) Vice President of the Lake/Bay Area Diane Huggins (ERA Great South Realty), President Albert Butler (30-A Realty), Vice President of the Beach Area Pete Knowles (First American Bank), Executive Director/Secretary Pamela A. Tedesco and Past President Joyce Szilvasy (CHELCO). Not pictured are President Elect Al Ward (Florida Transformer) and Treasurer Brad Beauchamp (Emerald Coast Bank).

Also installed were 1999-2000 Directors: Sylvia Hanks (Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort), Jim Jarvis (The Walton Sun), Albert Paris (Palmetto Property & Realty, Inc.), Lane Rees (Human Resource Solutions, Inc.), Tom Dodson (ARVIDA / A St. Joe Company) and Kriss Titus (South Walton Tourist Development Council). Not pictured are Greg Lathinghouse (Triangle Chevy- Olds-Buick-Geo), Don Carter (Perdue Farms, Inc.) and Tom Powell (Walton County Economic Development Council).

Members enjoyed bidding on the forty auction items that were contributed by the membership for the Silent Auction. Alice Forrester (30-A Realty) and husband Carl take a spin in their new ATV Radio Flyer Wagon which was contributed by Hodges Cash & Carry. The Silent Auction raised over $2500 to help underwrite the Chamber's programs for the upcoming year. Special thanks go to our members for contributing auction items: Abbott Resorts - A ResortQuest Company, Badcock Home Furnishings Center, Barnacles, Bayou Arts & Antiques, Blue Luna Cafe, Capappie's Boutique, CHELCO, Coastal Business Products, Dallas Cowboy, Destin / Walton Log, Discovery Cruises/Snorkel Destin, Inc., Dolphin Cruises, Inc., Firestone Tire Service, Goatfeathers, Grand Casino, Hilton Sandestin Beach & Golf Resort, Hilton Sandestin Beach & Golf Resort, Hodges Cash & Carry, Karen Pflieger Salon, Lovelace Interiors, Inc., Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, Moody's Deep Sea Fishing, Morgan's, Nathaniel Bowditch Sailing, Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club, Silver Sands Factory Stores, South Walton Ace Hardware, South Walton Directory, Sugar Beach Interiors, Superior Computer Technology, Inc., The Walton Sun, Thomas Kinkade Destin Gallery, Tib's Seafood Cafe, Vortex Springs, Inc., and Wal-Mart.