The Greater Pensacola Chamber held its 55th annual PACE Award banquet last night.
“Northwest Florida is home to some of the most dedicated, talented and selfless community leaders, and we want to ensure that we are recognizing the individuals who continue make our region a better place,†said Clay Ingram, the Greater Pensacola Chamber President & CEO.
The 2015 winners:
— Jonathan Griffith, the executive vice president of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and IN Rising Star 2013, named Emerging Leader of the Year.
— Former Oakcrest Elementary School principal Denny Wilson was honored as the Professional Leader of the Year for his efforts that eventually led to his school receiving an “A†rating for the first time in its history. Wilson was also named the Escambia County School District’s Principal of the Year in 2013.
— Beverly Zimmern, a former mayor of Gulf Breeze and the first female mayor in the two-county area, was named Community Leader of the Year. Zimmern oversaw a $17 million municipal budget, managed the city during several major disasters and developed a comprehensive master city plan that involves the replacement of the Pensacola Bay Bridge. She also had to sit next to me when I was on the GB City Council.
— Dr. Sunil Gupta, who is regarded as a top retinal surgeon, was named Business Leader of the Year for his research and clinical trials that have paved the way for several advancements in retina treatments and therapies worldwide.
— Eric Nickelsen was awarded the Spirit of Pensacola Award for his lifetime service to the local business and professional community. A key player in the merger between Whitney National Bank and Hancock Bank, Nickelsen is a founding partner of Sperry Van Ness–SouthLand Commercial Real Estate.
— Jerry Maygarden was awarded the 2015 Pioneer Award for his professional career and lasting impact to Northwest Florida. A former mayor of Pensacola, Maygarden served as a state legislator in the Florida House of Representatives, as well as the president & CEO of the Greater Pensacola Chamber. He was the first executive director of the Better Pensacola Forum.