In Walton County, the landscape is continuously evolving, welcoming fresh faces and exciting new locations, and collecting accolades that speak to our world-class travel status. We’re pleased to greet these new and noteworthy additions to the community.
Brad Drake
Appointed to the open District 3 seat by Governor Ron DeSantis, Brad Drake was officially sworn in to the Walton County Board of County Commissioners on September 11, 2023. He is a resident of Mossy Head in Walton County, hails from the Eucheeanna community and has dedicated a significant portion of his life to public service. He previously served in the Florida House of Representatives, representing constituents from 2008 to 2012 and again from 2014 to 2022.
Steve Harmon
Steve Harmon joined the Walton County Tourism Department in August as a Visitor Information Specialist. A self- described military brat, he has lived and traveled extensively and loves tourism and meeting new people. Harmon received his associate degree from the University of Maryland in Munich, Germany, and his bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Tennessee. After a few years managing the bilingual 401K department for Aetna Financial Services in Phoenix, Arizona, Harmon returned to the Emerald Coast. For the past 15 years, Harmon worked in Rosemary Beach as a server and bartender, loving the “days free at the beach” lifestyle. His curiosity led him to discover nearly every beach, park and restaurant from Apalachicola to Pensacola. He developed knowledge of the local and regional area, which he happily shares with visitors to Walton County.
Michayla Galloway
Walton County Tourism Department
Michayla Galloway joined the Walton County Tourism Department in October and assists visitors, residents and businesses by answering questions and providing information about Walton County and our surrounding areas. She also assists with branded merchandise sales and inventory.
Originally from Milton, Galloway now calls Ponce de Leon home. She is dedicated to shaping young minds and is currently attending Pensacola State College to pursue a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Galloway is engaged to Bo Rushing of Ponce de Leon and is looking forward to her wedding in January 2024. Please stop by the Visitor Center and welcome her to our Walton County Tourism team.
Cecilia Canut
Cecilia “Cece” Canut was recently named Executive Director for Main Street DeFuniak Springs. Her responsibilities center around managing and revitalizing the downtown area, including event planning, community engagement, marketing, reporting and historic preservation. She also collaborates with the Main Street Board of Directors to promote the organization’s mission.
Canut holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and advertising from Flagler College. Originally from Miami, she has called Walton County home since elementary school. Outside her professional commitments, Canut enjoys spending time at the beach with her family, watching her nephew’s soccer games and exploring the world of movies and films.
Darrelesha Kelly
Darrelesha Kelly manages and maintains the tourism department’s databases to ensure accurate and accessible information to connect with our partners and visitors. She graduated from Hillsborough Community College with an associate degree in business administration. She has been working in customer service for 13 years, which explains her passion for helping others. Originally from Tampa, she moved to Northwest Florida in November 2022. Kelly enjoys spending time with her son, reading, traveling, meditating, going to the beach and learning new things.
Camp Creek Inn – Now Open
The St. Joe Company opened a 75-room, three-story boutique inn located near Watersound Club’s Camp Creek Golf Course in Summer 2023. The inn features two dining
venues, an outfitter shop, wellness and fitness facilities, pickleball courts, tennis courts, a resort-style pool complex, multisport fields and a golf teaching academy. Guests enjoy a “Member for the Stay” experience, which allows access to all Watersound Club amenities during their stay, including Watersound Beach Club, Shark’s Tooth Golf Course and Camp Creek Golf Course.
Hilton Sandestin in Second Phase of $35 Million Renovations
In 2022, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa announced plans to begin a $35 million renovation to the property, including updates to the guest rooms, restaurants, public spaces and pools. This past March, the team completed the first phase of renovations and is excited to embark on phase two this fall, which begins with transforming the remaining 285 guest suites and revamping Sandcastles Restaurant and Lounge. The onsite spa, Serenity by the sea, along with the 40,000 sq. ft. of indoor meeting space, will also be renovated during this transformation.
The Lodge 30A – Now Open
The Lodge 30A, located in Seagrove, is 30A’s newest boutique hotel. Adjacent to the Greenway Station development and bordered by the 15,000-acre Point Washington State Forest, The Lodge 30A provides convenient access to the state forest’s expansive network of hiking and biking trails as well as to Greenway Station’s collection of restaurants and shops. Guests can enjoy amenities such as a fitness center and outdoor pool, and will have access to the private Watersound Beach Club and two private golf courses as well as water sport rentals and beach bonfires.
Sunbright Inn – Now Taking Reservations
Located on the corner of Live Oak Avenue West and U.S. Highway 331 in DeFuniak Springs, Sunbright Inn is the newly renovated oldest house in Walton County. Once the home of Florida Governor Sidney J. Catts, the Victorian home will soon open as an inn with eight bedrooms, each featuring a fireplace, bathroom and unique historical themes.
