Volunteers
Michelle Crocker is the HR Manager at First Nation Group. She has served in volunteer leadership positions for the SHRM Emerald Coast Chapter, HR Florida State Council, and has served as a volunteer for the Panhandle Job Fair Foundation since 1998.
LaVonne Vasquez holds a Master’s Degree in Management and a Bachelor’s Degree in Resource Management both from Troy University. She is an active member of the SHRM Emerald Coast Chapter holding various board positions throughout the years and has been a volunteer for the Panhandle Job Fair Foundation since 1993.
Andrea Rymer is an Administrative & Student Support Specialist at the University of West Florida’s Fort Walton Beach campus. She volunteers her time in the local community which includes serving on the Panhandle Job Fair Foundation since 2004.
Eleanor Hypes is the Human Resource Director for The Legacy Cabinet Company located in Niceville, FL. She holds a Master’s Degree in Management, Organizational Leadership, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing. She has served as a volunteer for the Panhandle Job Fair Foundation since 2014.
Al Smith SPHR, SHRM-SCP, retired as the Deputy Director of the Fort Walton Beach Housing Authority. He is a senior executive who has held numerous positions in the Human Resources field, including Corporate Vice President for Human Resources. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Technical Management and a Master of Arts Degree with a dual major in Human Relations and Management. He has served in several volunteer leadership positions for the SHRM Emerald Coast Chapter and the HR Florida State Council. He joined the Panhandle Job Fair Foundation in 2016.
Thomas Tucker is a Veterans Outreach Program Specialist for the Okaloosa Vet Center, serving the local veteran community since 2012. He holds a Master of Divinity and BS in Workforce Education and Development. He is a 20-year veteran of the United States Air Force and has served as a volunteer for the Panhandle Job Fair Foundation since 2016.
Mary Travis is the Jobs & Benefits Administrator for the Department of Florida Commerce with CareerSource Okaloosa Walton, serving as a workforce development professional since 2017. She is the VP of Membership for the SHRM Emerald Coast Chapter. She has served as a volunteer for the Panhandle Job Fair Foundation since 2018.
Megan Reagin is the Employment Program Manager for the Airman & Family Readiness Center (A&FRC) at Eglin Air Force Base (AFB). Megan’s main role is to support service members, military spouses and dependents, retired members, and Department of Defense (DoD) civilians to achieve their short and long-term employment, education/training, and career goals. Before starting at A&FRC, she worked for CareerSource Okaloosa Walton and Soldier for Life-Transitioning Assistance Program (Army). Megan holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Sociology/Criminal Justice from the University of Dubuque and the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. She has served as a volunteer for the Panhandle Job Fair Foundation since 2022.
Emmy Epperson is the Business Services Program Manager with CareerSource Okaloosa/Walton. Emmy’s key role is to oversee the full spectrum of activities of the Business Services department and team members. Provide guidance to all CSOW programs regarding the job market and industry trends. Promote CareerSource Okaloosa Walton’s mission among job seekers, businesses, and industry partners and connect local employers with qualified talent. Prior to CSOW, Emmy lived all over Europe, Asia, and the Middle East and worked in a multitude of industries including public relations, sales, marketing, advertising, tourism, business development, and education management. Emmy holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature from Cairo University – Egypt, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix, AZ. Emmy appreciates working with people from diverse backgrounds and enjoys bringing them together, driving success, and making it happen for our local community. She has served as a volunteer for the Panhandle Job Fair Foundation since 2022.
Mikiko Tucker is the Public Relations Manager for the City of Fort Walton Beach, Florida. She provides the overall direction of the city’s branding, public relations, and communication strategy and directs all media relations and public outreach activities for the city’s 300 employees. The voice of the city, Mikiko is responsible for developing and maintaining strategic partnerships with the military, business community, and industry stakeholders. She manages the city’s website and 15 social media pages and provides the same to the Panhandle Job Fair Foundation. She is a trained Department of Defense Public Affairs Officer with advanced training in Strategic Communications and Human Relations Counseling. Mikiko holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication from Monmouth University, N.J., and an MBA from the University of Phoenix, Aviano, Italy. She is the former Director of Communications and Business Services for CareerSource Okaloosa Walton and is certified by the state of Florida as a Workforce Development Professional. She manages the City’s recruiting efforts and provides professional development and work-based training to city employees, military spouses, and other career professionals. She has served as a volunteer for the Panhandle Job Fair Foundation since 2023.
