James D. Neilson, Jr.
MBBA Board Chair
Mr. Neilson of Destin is originally from Alexandria, Louisiana where he retired after a 23-year career in the Insurance Industry. Upon moving to Destin in 1983, he served as President and General Manager of Sandpiper Cove Condominium Association until retiring in 2000. He is active in the community and currently serves his community with the Mid-Bay Bridge Authority, Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast, and Destin Water Users, Inc. He has previously served as a Director with Regions Bank, Commissioner and Chairman of the Destin Fire Control District, Director of Kelly Arts, Chairman of the Destin Harbor Partnership, Chairman of the Destin Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Destin Military Affairs Committee, and Commander’s Community Liaison for Air Force Materiel Command. He is a previous recipient of the Eglin AFB Community Ambassador Award, Destin Outstanding Senior Citizen Award, Destin Volunteer of the Year Award, and Destin Business Person of the Year Award.
Gordon E. Fornell
MBBA Board Vice-Chair
Lieutenant General Fornell, USAF, (Ret) retired from active duty in the USAF in 1993 with over 35 years of service. 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 served in senior acquisition leadership positions in AF Systems Command and AF Materiel Command. 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.
Dewey “Parker” Destin
MBBA Board Member
Dewey “Parker” Destin is a lifelong resident of Destin, Florida. Parker grew up commercial fishing and operating restaurants with his family before receiving his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Tampa in 2007. Parker graduated from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2012 and is admitted to the Bar in the State of Florida. Parker is a former member of the Destin City Council. Parker currently owns and operates restaurants in Northwest Florida.
Kim M. Wintner
MBBA Board Member
Colonel Kim Wintner retired from active duty in the USAF in 2000 after 30 years of service. During his military career, he held a variety of positions in the services career field and commanded six times at the wing, group, or squadron levels; culminating in command positions at Hurlburt Field, Florida, and Eglin AFB, Florida. Kim transitioned to the private sector and owned/operated the Alliance Association Management Company in Destin, Florida, before retiring in 2019. He serves numerous community and nonprofit organizations as a board member and/or chairman; including the Okaloosa County Economic Development Council and its Defense Support Initiative Committee and the Destin Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and its Military Affairs Council. Kim earned a Master of Arts degree in Human Resources Development from Webster University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Police Administration from Indiana University.
James T. Wood Jr.
MBBA Board Member
Jim is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel with twenty years of experience in Air Defense Artillery specializing in the PATRIOT System and Space Operations, including a combat tour in Israel in 1991 during Operation DESERT STORM. Jim moved to Destin in 2004 and has served in numerous volunteer, governmental, and civic positions. He currently serves as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Destin Water Users Board of Directors, Chairman of the Destin Local Planning Agency (Planning and Zoning Board), and Vice Chairman of the Destin Public Safety and Public Works Committee. Jim is also President of the Active Retired Men of Destin and is a Destin Chamber of Commerce member. Jim previously served on the Destin City Council for eight years. During this time, he chaired the Okaloosa/Walton Transportation Planning Organization and the Northwest Florida Regional Transportation Planning Organization. He also served as Vice Chair of the Florida State Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Council. Jim’s education includes a BA from Mississippi State University in Political Science and a Master’s in Public Administration from Auburn University.