Okaloosa County BOCC — April 5, 2016 — McPherson Resolution - Okaloosa County

Resolution 16-______ A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF OKALOOSA COUNTY; RECOGNIZING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF COLONEL ROCKY MCPHERSON; HONORING THOSE ACCOMPLISHMENTS; PROVIDING AND EFFECTIVE DATE. Whereas, the annual economic impact of the military and defense presence at Eglin Air Force Base, Hurlburt Field and the Naval Air Station Whiting Field host communities of Walton County, Okaloosa County and Santa Rosa County exceeds $10,000,000,000; and Whereas, the military and defense presence within these three counties accounts for more than 85,000 jobs; and Whereas, Eglin Air Force Base, Hurlburt Field and the Naval Air Station Whiting Field are critically important components and leaders in the national defense system of the United States; and Whereas, these three counties, working through the regional Tri-County Defense Support Initiatives Committee have partnered with the Florida Defense Alliance for 18 years and the Florida Defense Support Task Force since its inception 5 years ago to support, sustain and grow the military installations and their missions in the region; and Whereas, Colonel Rocky McPherson, United States Marine Corps, Retired, has provided outstanding leadership, vision and integrity for the Florida Defense Alliance and the Florida Defense Support Task Force for 9 years serving as the Vice President for Defense and Military Programs for Enterprise Florida, Inc.; and Whereas, Rocky McPherson graduated from the United States Naval Academy and retired from the United States Marine Corps as an A-6 aircraft pilot after serving his country for 29 years; and Whereas, Rocky McPherson has provided outstanding stewardship of state programs serving Florida’s 21 military installations and their local and regional community defense support organizations; and Whereas, Rocky McPherson has shown great appreciation and understanding of all matters related to the military and defense presence within Northwest Florida as well as the entire State of Florida; and Whereas, Rocky McPherson previously served 5 distinguished years as the Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs; and 1  Whereas, Rocky McPherson was inducted into the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame in 2015 for his deep support and action on behalf of Florida’s military veterans in the years since his Marine Corps retirement. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED as follows: 1. The Board of County Commissioners of Okaloosa County, Florida does hereby publicly recognize and thank Colonel Rocky McPherson, United States Marine Corps, Retired, for his long and distinguished service to the United States of America, the State of Florida and to Okaloosa County and for his unending support of Florida’s active duty and retired military members. 2. This Resolution shall become effective upon adoption. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA ________________________________ CHARLES K. WINDES, JR., CHAIRMAN ATTEST: J. D. PEACOCK, II Clerk of the Circuit Court By: __________________________ Deputy Clerk (Seal) APPROVED AS TO FORM: By: ______________________________ Gregory T. Stewart County Attorney 2