Walton County Tourism is proud to spotlight the newest members of the Tourist Development Council (TDC), who join a diverse group of hospitality and business professionals with a shared commitment to enhancing the local community and promoting sustainable tourism.
The TDC is a nine-member advisory council established by county ordinance and appointed by the Walton County Board of County Commissioners. They’re tasked with reviewing expenditures of Tourist Development Tax revenue and making recommendations on uses in line with Florida Statute 125.0104.
Simply put, this tax is collected from hotels, condos and any other types of short-term rental stays of six months or less. Currently, Walton County collects a 5 percent bed tax south of the Choctawhatchee Bay and a 3 percent bed tax north of Choctawhatchee Bay. This tax is almost exclusively paid by visitors; residents don’t pay unless they are taking a “staycation” and renting short-term accommodations.
TDC member seats are filled with a balance of bed tax collectors and other business professionals with an interest in the tourism economy. Terms are staggered every four years.
WELCOME NEW TDC COUNCIL MEMBERS
Brad Drake, Seat 1, Chairperson
Walton County District 3 Commissioner Brad Drake represents the BCC on the TDC, which voted him as chairperson at its December 2024 meeting. Drake, a resident of the Mossy Head community, has dedicated a significant portion of his life to public service. He was elected to the Florida House of Representatives, serving his constituents from 2008 to 2012 and again from 2014 to 2022. In 2023, he was appointed as the director of Rural & Community Affairs in the Executive Office of Governor Ron DeSantis, who appointed him to the Walton County Board of County Commissioners in the same year.
Throughout his career, Drake has been actively involved in various organizations and affiliations. He served on the Northwest Florida State College Board of Trustees from 2013 to 2014 and held the position of chairman for CrimeStoppers of Walton County in 2007. Drake also participated in foreign missions through Athletes-in-Action Baseball in 1994 and has been recognized for his contributions by receiving the Florida Small County Coalition award in both 2022 and 2023. His TDC term expires in December 2025.
Elizabeth Haffner, Seat 2
Freeport City Council Member Seat 5 Elizabeth Haffner represents the growing municipality on the TDC. She has been a resident of Walton County since 2013, and moved with her family to Freeport in 2015 because “it is a small town with a big heart.”
Haffner is a graduate of Houston Baptist University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus on Human Resources. An HR professional for more than 17 years, she currently works (virtually) as a recruiter for an HR firm based in Chicago.
Haffner believes her business background – with a focus on policy, procedure and budget process – is a benefit to the city and community. Haffner also serves as treasurer on the board of the Freeport Christmas Angels, a 501c3 charity that benefits children of Freeport during the holiday season by assisting in gifts for families in need. Her TDC term expires December 2028.
Josh Sconiers, Seat 3
Josh Sconiers has over a decade of experience in information technology and public safety management in Walton County. He is a veteran of the United States armed forces after having served in both the Florida Army National Guard and United States Air Force Reserve – further demonstrating his commitment to public service and national defense. Sconiers is also Council member Seat 2 for the City of DeFuniak Springs, representing this municipality on the TDC.
In addition to his professional career, Sconiers and wife Amanda Sconiers are co-owners of The Tutor Team, a local educational service dedicated to helping students achieve academic success. Together, they have two amazing children who inspire him daily. Passionate about community growth, Sconiers uses his leadership skills to work toward improving local government and public services for the residents of DeFuniak Springs, always emphasizing integrity and transparency in his role as a Council member. His TDC term expires December 2028.
Brian Moffatt, Seat 5
Brian Moffatt was re-appointed by the BCC to serve on this TDC position. Moffatt moved his family to 30A from Jacksonville, FL, for what was supposed to be a brief diversion from the world of corporate finance. After settling here, they got hooked on the 30A lifestyle. Moffat has since served as a portfolio manager for a large, privately held development group and as a hospitality consultant on several development projects. He also helped launch The Pearl Hotel in Rosemary Beach. This background cultivated a passion for raising service expectations along 30A, and he has spent the last six years dedicated to Royal Destinations with that as his primary goal. His TDC term expires December 2028.
Amy Wise-Coble, Seat 6
Amy Wise-Coble was re-appointed to a full-term on this seat after filling the position when it opened last year. Wise-Coble, who is general manager of the Homeowner’s Collection Vacation Rentals, has previously served on the TDC and is the 2025 Van Ness Butler, Jr. Hospitality Award winner.
Wise-Coble has been in the vacation rental industry in South Walton for more than 30 years, building her hospitality career from the ground up with stops at Cottage Rental Agency in Seaside, Tops’l Beach & Racquet Resort and Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Wise-Coble is an active board member on South Walton High School’s Men’s and Ladies’ Basketball Booster Clubs. She is president of the board of directors for Northwest Florida Dream, a nonprofit organization furthering the game of basketball in our area. And she also serves on South Walton High School’s Parents with Purpose organization and School Improvement Committee. Her TDC term expires in December 2028.
Tiffany Edwards, Seat 8
Tiffany Edwards was selected by the BCC to fill this open seat on the TDC. Edwards specializes in legislative and strategic consulting for vacation rental management companies across Florida and nationwide. She has worked with an international vacation rental trade association, leading advocacy fundraising and strategic projects in collaboration with industry leaders such as Airbnb, Expedia Group and Oxford Economics
One of her key projects was a housing affordability study with Oxford Economics, analyzing tourism’s impact on housing in the post-COVID era. Edwards’ lobbying efforts during the COVID-19 shutdown earned her the Vacation Rental Manager’s Association President’s Award.
As executive director of the Florida Professional Vacation Rental Coalition, she advocates for responsible tourism legislation. A longtime resident of Walton County, Edwards is committed to balancing tourism growth with community preservation. She serves on the Advisory Board for Ascension Sacred Heart on the Emerald Coast and has been a board member of the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation for 11 years. In 2023 and 2024, Edwards was honored as DCWAF’s Board Member of the Year for launching a local event that has raised close to $300,000 for youth charities. Her TDC term expires December 2026.
Robert LaCasse, Seat 9
Robert LaCasse is the general manager/managing director of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, a 2,400-acre complex that includes multiple business units. Previously, he was the managing director of Tradewinds Island Resorts in St. Pete Beach, FL. A seasoned hotel and hospitality management professional, LaCasse has enjoyed over 25 years of successful experience with a proven track record, having facilitated national programs and initiatives throughout the United States. He holds great passion and respect for the tourism and hospitality industry and has extensive experience in emergency and recovery management. He has also successfully led organizations through the ups and downs of the industry with a positive, forward- thinking outlook. His TDC term expires December 2028.