Military Affairs Committee

Improving the Relationship Between the Military and Civilian Communities

The purpose of the Military Affairs Committee (MAC) of the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce is to maintain and continually improve the relationship between the military and civilian communities. It serves as a vital, informal communications link among Eglin Air Force Base, Hurlburt Field, Tyndall Air Force Base, and the business community.

Mission Statement

Enhance the relationship between the community and military and to support the military mission.

Strategic Plan

Increase awareness of the impact the military has on Walton County.
Coordinate programs/projects with veterans’ organizations within the county.
Show support of area military personnel by contributing to unit community projects and assisting family services with their local projects.
Represent the Chamber and Walton County when attending military functions
Facilitate communications between community and military personnel through sponsorship of events including but not limited to: Autumn Social, Military Appreciation Day, Annual Enlisted Awards Banquet, Christmas Caroling, Spouses Tour, Business After Hours, 96 ABW Annual Awards.
Promote availability of Eglin/Hurlburt personnel as program speakers within Walton County.
Promote Walton County to incoming military personnel and civic leader groups.

Working Groups for the BRAC Families Transition

The Workforce Development Board of Okaloosa and Walton Counties are scheduling a meeting of our Co-Chairs of our Working Groups to hear directly from our Military Leaders on specific needs and how we can best plan and implement this transition. Very soon thereafter, the individual Working Groups will be meeting to begin to tackle the tasks. Thank you for your expressed interest in serving on one or more of these Working Groups. Our Workforce Board will provide administrative staffing for the working groups.

Our primary Point of Contact for the BRAC Families Transition Council will be DeAndrea Haynes, (Dede), BRAC Coordinator for our Workforce Development Board. She can be reached at the Workforce Board Administrative and Support Office at:

DeAndrea Haynes (Dede)
109 8th Avenue, Shalimar, FL 32579
Phone: 850-651-2315 ext: 210
dhaynes@jobsplus02.com

The Working Groups established are as follows:

1. Education (Pre-K through Graduate)
2. Housing
3. Spouse Employment
4. Health Care
5. Youth Programs and Services

As additional needs are determined, we may need to establish other working groups.

Please do visit the primary website of WelcometoNorthwestFlorida.com and please provide feedback. We believe we have an excellent foundation, but we also know that we need to add much more. We also want to urge use of the Blog Site for specific Questions / Answers.

Resources:

MyFloridaMilitary.com

MyFloridaMilitary.com is a new and innovative website that is free to both employers and military-related jobseekers. Through MyFloridaMilitary.com, 1) employers have a one-stop website to access the highly trained and motivated military-related labor force and 2) these job seekers have access to unique and valuable employement resources and tools that will allow them to best market their skills to employers worldwide.

MAC Meetings:

Contacts:

For more information, or to join the Military Affairs Committee, please contact

Kitty Whitney
Phone: 850-267-0683
kitty@waltonareachamber.com

Valencia Williamson
Phone: 850-892-3191
valencia@waltonareachamber.com