Spotlight on Bay County’s Best

Welcome to the “Spotlight on Bay County’s Best,” where we celebrate the unique stories and inspiring individuals that make our community a special place. Whether it’s a local entrepreneur making waves, or a resident who goes above and beyond, this series is dedicated to showcasing the heart and soul of Bay County. Join us as we highlight the people and passions that drive our community forward, making Bay County not just a destination, but a place to call home.

Irvin Clark, Associate Dean of Faculty Development and Administrative Affairs at Florida State University Panama City

1. If you could pick up one skill or hobby instantly, what would it be? Repairing motorcycles!
2. What’s something everyone should know about our community? Our Bay County Community is warm and open to every visitor and our Bay County Community continues to provide an abundance of amazing ‘southern indulgences’ for long-time residents.
3. What’s one project you’ve been a part of that people might not know about? I am a commissioner with the Housing Authority of Panama City. I have been a part of the Place at Massalina and Fletcher Black rebuilds.
4. What’s a wild idea you have for a future community project?  Invest in multi-modal transportation to develop super-connected street experiences between all cities in Bay County (Panama City Beach, Panama City, Mexico Beach, Springfield, Callaway and Parker).
5. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Treat others how you want to be treated!
6. What’s the best place you’ve ever traveled and why? Dublin Ireland! The people were super friendly and the places to go BREATH TAKING!
7. What’s something about you that might surprise people? I like eating cold bananas!
8. What’s your go-to source of inspiration when you need a boost? A motorcycle ride!
9. If you had to describe our community in three words (or one quote), what would they/it be? Mesmeric, infectious, tranquil!
10. What is one thing you have always wanted to do but haven’t yet? Drive a road scraper!

Suzan Gage, Executive Director at Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida, Inc.

1. If you could pick up one skill or hobby instantly, what would it be? To be able to read music.
2. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? “Comparison is the thief of joy, baby girl” attributed to President Theodore Roosevelt (minus the “baby girl” part), but told to me by my mom.
3. What’s the best place you’ve ever traveled and why? Lungren, Switzerland. My first trip abroad was to the Swiss Alps. Seeing the snow and mountains was breathtaking. Spending time in the small towns dotted in the Swiss Alps was mesmerizing. Everything was so picturesque and so much more than I imagined it would be.
4. What’s something about you that might surprise people? I have a secret desire to conduct an orchestra.
5. What’s your go-to source of inspiration when you need a boost? Really good music. Especially Bossa Nova or classic Jazz.
6. What is one thing you have always wanted to do but haven’t yet? Paragliding in the mountains!

Lisa Moore, Director of Foundation at Bay County Chamber of Commerce

1. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? The best piece of advice I’ve ever received is focus on what you can control, let go of what you can’t. Focusing on what I can’t control makes me less effective and potentially leads to the outcomes I fear most. The more time and energy I spend on the things I can’t control, the less time and energy I spend on the ways I can make an impact.
2. What’s the best place you’ve ever traveled and why? The best place I’ve ever traveled to is Paris, France. My parents gifted my sister and me this trip as a college graduation present. Visiting Paris had been a dream of mine since childhood. During our stay, we saw iconic landmarks such as the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre Museum, the Eiffel Tower, the Palace of Versailles, and Notre-Dame Cathedral. We also enjoyed a burlesque show at Le Moulin Rouge and took a nighttime cruise on the Seine River, where we watched the Eiffel Tower light up. The food was delicious, the shopping was fantastic, and the culture was thrilling to learn about and experience. It remains the best gift I’ve ever received, and the best place I’ve ever traveled.
3. What’s your go-to source of inspiration when you need a boost? My go-to source of inspiration is my parents. Both are retired Navy Divers after years of dedication and serving their country. We spent years moving from state to state, so the only thing that remained constant in my life growing up was my family. Our bond is SUPER strong. My parents have always been, and continue to be, two of my biggest supporters and cheerleaders. They’ve always attended every game, graduation, procedure, anything you can think of, no matter the circumstances. To this day, as a grown adult, I can call either parent, day or night, to share a problem or success, and I know the first thing out of their mouth is going to be supportive, loving and encouraging. Even now, both are dealing with their own medical issues, yet their children and grandchildren remain their number one priorities above all else. They are truly my heroes, best friends and inspiration.   
4. What is one thing you have always wanted to do but haven’t yet? One thing I’ve always wanted to do but haven’t yet is skydiving. I’ve already experienced parasailing, sky coasters, rock climbing, and zip lining. My goal is to go skydiving before my 40th birthday, I just need a willing companion to join me so I can finally check it off my bucket list!
5. What’s something everyone should know about our community? One thing everyone should know about our community is our remarkable resiliency in the face of adversity. Time and again, we’ve shown that no challenge is too great when we stand united. Our collective strength and determination to overcome both Hurricane Michael and the pandemic not only helped us recover but also made us stronger and more cohesive. They say it takes a village, and Bay County is our village.