Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel Awarded Prestigious Mike Mitchell Award
Okaloosa County Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel was recently awarded the coveted Mike Mitchell Award for a second time by the Okaloosa County Republican Club. She remains the only woman to have been recognized with this distinction. “I am deeply humbled to have received this honor again,” said Okaloosa County Vice Chairman Carolyn Ketchel. “Mike Mitchell did so much for Okaloosa County in the years he served this community, and I am thankful to the Okaloosa County Republican Club for this incredible recognition.”
During the ceremony, Commissioner Ketchel was recognized for her devotion and hard work as a County Commissioner. Notable efforts over the years include the bridge-to-bridge multi-use path on Okaloosa Island, the construction of a new agriculture extension services building adjacent to the Fairgrounds, the creation of the Women Veterans Monuments adjacent to the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center and establishment of the ecumenical Lazarus Ceremony, which inters the unclaimed individuals at Beal Memorial Cemetery who have passed away in Okaloosa County each year.
The award is named after Mike Mitchell who was the longest-serving Okaloosa County Republican Commissioner. He was also the first Republican Commissioner, elected in 1976 and serving 16 years on the Commission. Many knew him as “Mr. Republican,” and was well-respected for never having a partisan argument with his Democrat counterparts and known for making the job as an elected official fun.
Commissioner Ketchel was first recognized with the prestigious award in 2018, accepting the trophy in person from Mitchell. He passed away in 2020 at the age of 91. She is one of only three people to receive the Mike Mitchell Award twice. Current Supervisor of Elections Paul Lux and current School Board Chairman Lamar White also received the award two times. Other recipients of the Mike Mitchell Award include, State Representative T. Patt Maney, Okaloosa Tax Collector Ben Anderson and Crestview Mayor J.B. Whitten.
Mitzi Henley Honored at the 2024 Spirit of Community Awards Ceremony
Recently, 14 extraordinary individuals were celebrated for their unwavering dedication to their communities at the 2024 Spirit of Community Awards Ceremony, hosted by the Florida Commission on the Status of Women.
Mitzi Henley, an exceptional honoree hailing from our area, brought pride and recognition to Okaloosa County when she was honored for her achievements. They were met with particular acclaim, as she embodies the spirit of this vibrant region.
Mitzi enjoys a career in Real Estate Development and Retail, as President/CEO of several local businesses serving the Emerald Coast. She’s passionate about her family, faith, job creation and healthy growth development in Northwest Florida. She believes in empowering women, youth, people with disabilities and career development so that all reach their best potential. In 2018 she was appointed Commissioner District 2- Okaloosa County Commission on the Status of Women by Board of County Commissioners and serves on the Board of the National Association of Commissions for Women. She led the creation of Okaloosa County’s Women’s LEAD Summits educating the community on signs of Human Trafficking and Mental Health Awareness. She’s a Rotarian and community servant to many local organizations. In 2009, Mitzi was Inducted to Okaloosa County Women’s Hall of Fame. She received N.A.P.E.W. “Women of Excellence Award,” Florida Retail Federation “Outstanding Retailer Award,” ICSC “Community Service Award,” Goodwill’s “Outstanding Company Award,” United for a Good Cause “Community Business Award,” and awarded the 2023 State of Florida Community Advocate of the Year by Attorney General of Florida, Ashley Moody, for her work on Human Trafficking awareness.
“This event was about more than just awards—it was about celebrating the collective spirit of service and the power of community,” said Rosie Paulsen, Commissioner for the Florida Commission on the Status of Women. “We are extremely proud of our honorees whose stories remind us that impactful change begins at home.”
For more information, visit https://fcsw.net/spirit-of-community-awards/.
