- January 25, 2025
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Erick Palacios, 2025 chairman of the Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce. Photo by Brian McMillan
Julia Truilo and Judith Stein
Claire McCarthy, Sarah Anderson and Andrew Van der Burgt
Keith and Ormond Beach City Commissioner Kristin Deaton
Alexandra Zachos, Lauren Mitchell, Nicolas Urzua and Agny Urzua
Billie Jo Kaler, Jessica Nelson and Harlyn Kaler
Mark Figenscher, Carlene Despard and Deidra Whittenberger
Arnold Kolozsvari and Judit Glant
Jamie Strickland and Aaron Manning, of Vystar
The 2025 Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce Board
Jeff Strcula
The Dave Walls Legacy Ambassador of the Year: Madeline Carduner, of Atlantic Communications Team.
Debbie Cotton congratulates the Orthopedic Clinic. Photo by Brian McMillan
Eva McMullins, Debbie Cotton and Advocate of the Year Don Young
Volunteer of the Year Denise de La Chapelle
Jamie and Krista Robison, of Beach House Graphics, the 2024 Ormond Beach Chamber Business of the Year. Photo by Brian McMillan
Becky Parker and Ormond Beach Chamber President Debbie Cotton. Photo by Brian McMillan
Becky Parker, executive director of Ormond Beach Mainstreet. Photo by Brian McMillan
Celebrating its 80th year, the Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce swore in its new board, including Chairman Erick Palacios, on Jan. 23, at the Hard Rock Hotel in Daytona Beach.
To summarize his approach, Palacios quoted Winston Churchill: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
Palacios grew up in Miami, the oldest of three sons, raised by a single mom, who taught him the value of community, he said. “I am still committed to giving back. … My goal is to strengthen the bonds that tie us together, not only within our community but also with the wider network of chambers in our region.”
He said he hopes to reach out to Holly Hill businesses as well, and to take advantage of strong state representatives in Sen. Tom Leek and Rep. Bill Partington.
Palacios hopes that chamber events, led by President Debbie Cotton and her staff, give members actionable items to implement in their businesses.
“By investing in the development of our members, we’re not just creating better businesses; we’re also creating a stronger and more resilient community,” he said.
Eva McMullin, who was the chairwoman for 2024, also addressed the ballroom crowd, giving an emotional recap of her tenure as chairwoman, thanking the chamber board members.
“You have been the backbone of our progress,” she said. “ … I would also like my family and friends for allowing me to be me.”
CHAMBER AWARDS
McMullin also introduced the winners of several chamber awards.
The first was the Dave Walls Legacy Ambassador of the Year: Madeline Carduner, Atlantic Communications Team.
The award was named after Dave Walls, a chamber advocate who died Feb. 11, 2024, at age 67.
“If you knew Dave, you know he is watching over us and grinning ear to hear know thing that we named this award after him,” McMullin said.
The Partington Award, New Member of the Year, went to The Orthopedic Clinic.
That award is named in honor of Bill Partington, who has been a member of the chamber longer than anyone else — since 1963. Partington owns AHC Safe and Lock
The Advocate of the Year: Don Young, of Raposa Perry, Young.
Volunteer of the Year: Denise de La Chapelle, of Morgan Stanley
Business of the Year: Jamie Beach House Graphics
Leadership Award: Becky Parker, Executive Director of Ormond Beach Mainstreet
PARKER ON LEADERSHIP
Parker has served at Ormond Beach Mainstreet for 10 years, including the last three as executive director. In those three years, OMS events — including the annual Granada Grand, Celtic Festival and Riverfest — have attracted 40,000 people to the downtown area.
“She as worked tirelessly to promote the business in the downtown district,” McMullin said. “ … Becky, we are so proud of what you do for our community. It does not go unnoticed.”
Parker thanked her family and board members — especially Nancy Cortez. She described her journey in leadership: “I always thought that leadership was reserved for those who were smarter and worked harder and had more experience than I have. … It takes someone who believes in you, to lift you up, to hold you over until you believe in yourself, and that’s Julia Truilo for me.”
Truilo was Parker’s predecessor and mentor at the helm of OMS.
BY THE NUMBERs
652 members
148 new member
81% retention rate
23 ribbon cuttings
2025 EXECUTIVE BOARD
Chairman Erick Palacios, Chairman Elect Jeff Serle, Eva Connors McMullin, James Jiloty, Robert Macklin, Vinod Sagrani, Jeff Strcula and Michelle Tisdale
2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dr. Huda Aljonaidy, Liz Berger, Dennis Casey, Jami Gallegos, Walker Grindle, Joni Hunt, Sal Passalaqua, Casey Epton Roush, Jake Stehr, Ashley Wohlford and Sherryl Weems
