The Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce recently held its 135th Annual Meeting last week at the Sanders Beach-Corrine Jones Resource Center. The evening included the installation of a new Board of Directors and Executive Committee that will serve for the next two years. Ildi Hosman, Director of Public Relations at Landrum, will serve as chair of the Board of Directors.
“I am excited to embark on the next two years with this outstanding group of leaders who comprise the Board of Directors of the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce,” said Ildi Hosman, newly inducted Chairman of the Board. “Their diverse expertise and commitment to our community will be invaluable as we work to strengthen local businesses, connect people and opportunities, and ensure Pensacola continues to thrive as a vibrant place to live, work, and play.”
Background: The late Gwen Appelquist was selected as the first female board chair of the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce in 1993. When I asked her about it for a 2008 interview, Gwen said, “It was a real challenge. People asked, ‘How do you get along with all those men?’ I told them, ‘I treat them with respect and expect to be treated with respect in return.’”
- She added, “I never had a problem.”
Hosman’s fellow officers are: Jordan Conti, Vice-Chair, Navy Federal Credit Union; Lloyd Reshard, Secretary, Kukua Institute; Doug Rehm, Treasurer, ServisFirst Bank; and David Deliman, Immediate Past Chair, Cox
The Board of Directors for the 2025-27 term includes:
Health Care: KC Gartman, Baptist Health Care; Adrienne Maygarden, Ascension Sacred Heart; Ebony Cornish, Amergis Healthcare Staffing
Education: Ruthie Noel, Pensacola State College; Alex Smith, University of West Florida
Finance/Insurance: Derrick Aguilar, Pen-Air Credit Union; Hong Potomski, Florida Blue
Hospitality: Ron Schier, Another Broken Egg; Dr. Lusharon Wiley, Innisfree Hotels
Nonprofits: Anna Lochas, Pensacola Young Professionals; Sam Young, Pensacola Habitat for Humanity
Armed Services: RADM Don Quinn, US Navy (Retired)
Utility: Rick Byars, Florida Power and Light
Government: Dr. Marcus McBride, CareerSource Escarosa
The Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce also recognized its annual award winners at the event:
Ambassador of the Year: Elden Scott
Non-Profit of the Year: Ministry Village at Olive
Small Business of the Year: Evergreen Printing
Service Member of the Year: Petty Officer Second Class Zachery Stephens
Board Member of the Year: Dave Hoxeng
Gwen Appelquist
-My 2008 Interview
When Gwen Appelquist was five years old, her father took her and her older brother and sister out of class to see their mother one last time. Gwen’s mother was dying. She had been suffering from an illness that left her paralyzed on her left side and bedridden for six months.
“She told me that the Lord was taking her home,” Gwen, now 83, says with a slight tremble in her voice and tears in her eyes. “She wanted me to always do the right thing, even when it was difficult. She told me to live a good life and be a good girl.”
Those words have stayed with Gwen Appelquist and have guided her to be an inspiration to generations in this community.
“I once read somewhere that motivation was self-focused, whereas inspiration was other-focused,” says Debbie Ritchie, who works with Gwen at the Studer Group. “That would certainly explain why Gwen is inspirational. It’s Gwen’s spirit that inspires. What she does is done from the soul, out of love and generosity. She lives her life in service to others, and her passion and desire to make a difference is contagious.”
When the Independent News asked its readers to submit names of people who inspire them, Gwen’s name was submitted more than any other. The paper was looking for men and women who are not only visionaries but also doers. Over 65 names were sent in to the paper. The nominees came in all ages, races and backgrounds, but they each have a knack for seeing solutions, not just problems. They motivate others to be the best that they can possibly be.
Gwen Appelquist stood out because at age 80 she chose to leave real estate, a career in which she had much success, not to retire, but to become the director of charitable giving for Rishy and Quint Studer and the Studer Group.
As a realtor, Gwen was a super star for nearly 40 years. She was president of the Pensacola Board of Realtors, president of the Florida Association of Realtors’ Women’s Council and a governor of the National Association of Realtors’ Women’s Council.
For the IN interview, Gwen dressed impeccably in a navy blue dress with a white linen jacket. “When I first became a realtor in 1966, I saw a need for someone to take newcomers by the hand,” she shares. “I helped my clients get acquainted with Pensacola. I would take them to the schools that their kids would be attending. I paid their utility deposits and brought them lunch on moving day. I made sure that they invested in a good home in a good location.”
In a community so dominated by male leaders, Gwen was selected to be the first female board chairman of the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce in 1993.
“It was a real challenge,” she says. “People asked, How do you get along with all those men?’ I told them, I treat them with respect and expect to be treated with respect in return.’
“I never had a problem.”
As the director of charitable giving for the Studers and the Studer Group, Gwen handles a budget of $650,000. She deals each month with dozens of fund requests that she analyzes and reviews.
“I love this company,” Gwen says with a smile. “I am constantly learning new things and growing. There are so many sharp young people here in the Studer Group. I feel like I have to work extra hard to do what’s expected.”
“But I’m a bit of a perfectionist,” she adds.
When asked what advice that she has for young people today, Gwen is very direct.
“Have compassion for other people.”
And it is Gwen Appelquist’s compassion for others that has placed her at the top of the 2008 Most Inspirational People. It’s similar compassion that has set apart the other 14 finalists on this first-ever list for the Pensacola area.
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