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Author: Joe Public

Introducing Gordy Fornell, Board of Directors Vice President

Written by Joe Public on . Posted in Articles.

Gordy Fornell 2016Lieutenant General Fornell, USAF, (Ret) retired from active duty in the USAF in 1993 with over 35 years of service. He served in senior acquisition leadership positions in AF Systems Command and AF Materiel Command. The general is a command pilot with more than 7,000 flying hours in more than 40 types of aircraft.  His military decorations and awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with 11 oak leaf clusters and Air Force Commendation Medal.  He also wears the Basic Parachutist Badge and the Missile Crew Member Badge.
He has been a private consultant since retiring and lives in Niceville, FL. He is also a member of the Defense Support Initiative of the Okaloosa County Economic Development Council, Chairman of the Air Force Armament Museum Foundation, member of both the Niceville Chamber of Commerce and Emerald Coast Military Affairs Committee, and member of the Mid-Bay Bridge Authority. He is a graduate of the AF Test Pilot School, holds an MBA from the Wharton School and an engineering degree from Michigan State University.

Destin Spring Lacrosse Invitational nets $1,000 for Fisher House

Written by Joe Public on . Posted in Event Photos.

Destin Lightning Lacrosse May 2016Duke Pope, event organizer for the Destin Spring Lacrosse Invitational, recently presented a $1,000 donation to Fisher House of the Coast, Inc. from their two-day club tournament held in April at the Morgan Sports Complex in Destin.

The check was presented to board members Jim Yurack, Katy Mitchell, Shirley Pigott and President, Teresa Halverson, along with House Manager Ron Gribble and Administrative Director, Mia Hughes. The tournament continues to gain momentum each year and event organizers hope increased interest translates to local schools establishing lacrosse at the high school level.   Duke Pope, Destin Rockets high school division coach said, “We want to get more visibility from the local area.  Someone told me, “Lacrosse is the best sport you’re not currently watching.”  Approximately 40 club teams from Louisiana to Tallahassee participated at the inaugural Destin Spring Lacrosse invitational and this year, a second day was added and included a championship.

“We appreciate Duke’s commitment to sports programs for area youth, many of whom move every few years with their military parents.” said Teresa Halverson, board of director’s president.  “Partnering with Fisher House as our cause champion serves two-fold, to raise awareness for both our mission and the increasingly popular sport of lacrosse. “

 

O’Connors 6th Annual Pub Crawl donates $2500

Written by Joe Public on . Posted in Event Photos.

O'Connors 2016Rob Reyes, owner of O’Connor’s Pub & Grill in Navarre, Florida, recently presented a $2,500 donation to Fisher House of the Emerald Coast, Inc. through their 6th Annual Pub Crawl, t-shirt sales.  Donations made to Fisher House enable the organization to continue supporting military families during medical needs with lodging and transportation.   Fisher House, located on Eglin AFB opened in September of 2010, and has saved military families over $1,000,000 in lodging and transportation. The geographic footprint offers services to residents from Pensacola to Panama City.

The check was presented to board members Bob Lynn and Mark Stogsdill, along with Administrative Director, Mia Hughes.

“We appreciate Rob’s military service and his devotion to our mission,” said Teresa Halverson, board of director’s president.  “The annual Pub Crawl continues to gain momentum, both in popularity and prosperity for our organization, year after year. “

 

Meet Teresa Halverson, Board of Directors President

Written by Joe Public on . Posted in Articles.

Teresa at Duke 2
In addition to her responsibilities as the Director of Marketing & Admissions at The Manor at Blue Water Bay in Niceville, Florida, Teresa Halverson serves as the President of the Fisher House of the Emerald Coast, Inc. She has been with the Manor for 12 years and joined the FHEC board in January of 2012.
Teresa and her husband Bob relocated to the area after Bob’s retirement from the Air Force in 2000.     She has a degree from the University of Las Vegas, NV in Social Work and is a graduate of the Okaloosa Leadership Program.  She is a Niceville/Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce board member, serving on  various committees, including Military Affairs, and is presently the Vice President of Membership Development.  Teresa is also a member of the Emerald Coast Military Affairs Council, the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce and was recently selected as an honorary with the 53rd Wing at Eglin Air Force Base.
Teresa and her husband have one son, Garret, who is serving as an officer in the Marine Corp. When not volunteering or working, Teresa and Bob participate in local art shows as glass and jewelry artists.

Eglin Federal Credit Union donates $1,000 in gift cards to Fisher House

Written by Joe Public on . Posted in Event Photos.

EFCU donates gift cards.

 

Eglin Federal Credit Union President Jerry Williams presents $1,000 in gift cards to Fisher House of the Emerald Coast house manager Ron Gribble, Board Administrative Director Mia Hughes, and Board President Teresa Halverson.  The Armed Forces Financial Network partners with federal credit unions to provide the gift cards as a way of saying “Thank You” for the service and sacrifices made by military families. Jerry remarked, “EFCU strives to make a difference in the lives of our US Service members and their families and appreciates AFFN’s support with the gift cards.” In addition to the gift cards, EFCU provides no‐surcharge access with the AFFN ATM network at its base locations for military personnel.

Costa Enterprises – McDonalds supports FHEC with $1,500 donation

Written by Joe Public on . Posted in Articles.

FHEC Costa 3-31-2016Costa Enterprises, which operates 19 McDonald’s locations in Northwest Florida, recently presented a $1,500 donation to Fisher House of the Emerald Coast, Inc. through their Coffee for a Cause campaign.  The Costa family donated 50 percent of net proceeds from Monday coffee sales in the month of January to a local non-profit agency.  Donations made to Fisher House enable the organization to continue supporting military families during medical needs with lodging and transportation.   Fisher House, located on Eglin AFB opened in September of 2010, and has saved military families over $1,000,000 in lodging and transportation. The geographic footprint offers services to residents from Pensacola to Panama City.

The check was presented to board members Gordon Fornell and Katy Mitchell, along with board president, Teresa Halverson.  Representatives of Costa Enterprises – McDonalds included Roslyn Snyder, Steven Killebrew, David Costa, Jr., Jackie Wells, Dennis Ealy and Jesse Bell.

“David and his family have always made giving back to the communities they serve a top priority,” said Teresa Halverson, board of director’s president.  “The program that they created has become a trendsetter for other operators and we were honored to be selected again. “

Fisher House of the Emerald Coast hires Administrative Director

Written by Joe Public on . Posted in Articles.

Hughes 2016

The Board of Directors for the Fisher House of the Emerald Coast (FHEC) welcomes Mia Hughes as their new Administrative Director. Her responsibilities will include raising funds to support the House, event planning and educating the community about what the Fisher House provides for the military in the panhandle. Fisher House, located on Eglin AFB opened in September of 2010, and began serving its first guests in October of that same year.  The geographic footprint offers services to residents from Pensacola to Panama City.  To date, it has saved military families over $1,000,000 in lodging and transportation.

With more than thirty years of business management and non-profit experience, Mia has been involved with local military families as a community supporter since 2008.  This new opportunity brings that passion and commitment full circle in a formal capacity as she takes the leadership role as the sole staff person.  She was previously Assistant Vice President of the Greater Pensacola Chamber and recently served with the Navarre Area Board of Realtors.  Originally from Panama City, she now calls Navarre home with her spouse, Tony.  Together they have six children, four grandchildren, two horses and a classified number of cats.  They are members of Community Life Methodist Church and enjoy cycling, horseback riding, boating and classic cars.

“Mia brings a tremendous background in non-profit management, fund raising and public relations,” said Teresa Halverson, Board of Directors President.  “As the demand for our services increase, we believe that having someone on board with Mia’s energy and organizational detail is critical to fulfilling our mission, which is to serve those who serve us. “