Okaloosa County Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel becomes the first woman to win the Mike Mitchell Award twice
Okaloosa County, Florida – Okaloosa County Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel achieved a significant milestone by receiving the prestigious Mike Mitchell Award for the second time, an honor bestowed by the Okaloosa County Republican Club. She is notably the only woman to have twice earned this recognition, highlighting her exceptional contributions to the community.
Commissioner Ketchel expressed her gratitude during the award ceremony, emphasizing her respect for Mike Mitchell’s legacy and the importance of the recognition.
“I am deeply humbled to have received this honor again,” said Okaloosa County Vice Chairman Carolyn Ketchel in a news release. “Mike Mitchell did so much for Okaloosa County in the years he served this community, and I am thankful to the Okaloosa County Republican Club for this incredible recognition.”
Named for the longest-serving Republican Commissioner from the county, the Mike Mitchell Award honors noteworthy accomplishments and community service dedication. Known popularly as “Mr. Republican,” Mitchell was also the first Republican Commissioner and served from 1976 until 1992. Often adding humor to his position, he was appreciated for his collegiality and willingness to participate in politics without partisanship.
Commissioner Ketchel has driven many significant initiatives over her career. Her work includes establishing a new agriculture extension services building close to the Fairgrounds, creating the bridge-to-bridge multi-use trail on Okaloosa Island, and establishing the Women Veterans Monuments adjacent to the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center. She also started the yearly ecumenical Lazarus Ceremony at Beal Memorial Cemetery, which offers a respectful interment for unclaimed county residents.
Read also: Veteran-owned PMI secures $509,000 grant to expand operations in Okaloosa County
This is the second time Ketchel has been recognized with this award; her first was in 2018 when she personally accepted the award from Mike Mitchell, who passed away at age 91 in 2020. Her repeated recognition places her among a small group of powerful Okaloosa County leaders who have twice earned the Mike Mitchell Award: School Board Chairman Lamar White and Supervisor of Elections Paul Lux.
Former notable award recipients include Crestview Mayor J.B. Whitten, Okaloosa Tax Collector Ben Anderson, and State Representative T. Patt Maney. Like Ketchel, these awardees have significantly helped Okaloosa County flourish and show leadership and dedication evocative of Mike Mitchell’s legendary career.
Following in the footsteps of one of the most revered political leaders in the county, Commissioner Ketchel’s repeated recognition with the Mike Mitchell Award highlights her continuous dedication to serve her community with excellence and distinction.
