Candidate: Steven Menchel

As I introduce myself to the citizens of Destin, I frequently get asked why Destin; what have you done in the community and what is your previous background. I would like to answer those questions and invite each of you to call me to learn more about myself and my campaign.

+ Why Destin?

My wife Vivian and I grew up in New Orleans and as a Federal Agent for thirty-eight years I lived and worked in many areas of our great nation. I can remember as a young child traveling through Destin on vacation and telling my parents one day I am going to live here. As frequent visitors to Destin on vacations over the years and for two people who enjoy all water sports, especially fishing and diving Vivian and I decided a long time ago that once we retire Destin was the perfect place for us. We are so blessed to have realized our dream – to live in Destin – and to this day we sometimes find ourselves saying I have to pinch myself to make sure I am not dreaming.

+ How long have you lived in Destin?

My wife and I have lived here for 11 years.

+ Once you arrived in Destin what have you done for the community?

Since moving to Destin, my love for Destin and my desire to give back has resulted in me becoming deeply invested in a wide range of activities.

I routinely attend Destin City Council meetings, budget workshops, Okaloosa-Walton Transportation Planning Organization meetings and The Envision Destin Workshops. I have made presentations on numerous occasions at Destin City Council Meetings which resulted in enhancements and improvements in our City. I was previously the Chairman of the City of Destin Public Works/Public Safety Committee. I was previously the Vice Chairman of the Local Planning Agency.  I was a member of the City of Destin Bicycle Sub-Committee.

[NOTE – As a result of me being a current Councilman I had to resign from the committees according to City policy]

I participate in the City of Destin Adopt-A-Street program. I participate yearly in the Destin Junior Lifeguard Polar Bear fundraiser. I am an active volunteer with Emerald Coast Hospice. I have appeared on radio and participated in numerous public functions in support of Hospice. I am a member of the Okaloosa County Republican Executive Committee. I am on the Board of Directors of the Okaloosa Citizens Alliance currently serving as the Vice President. I am the President of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Chapter #1428 Fort Walton Beach. I am a member of the Okaloosa County Citizens Emergency Response Team (CERT). I served on the Okaloosa County Time Capsule Committee as part of the Viva 500 Florida program.

+ What is your previous background?

I am a lifelong law enforcement officer and manager with over 38 years of experience. My professional background includes 24 years of executive level managerial experience with the U.S. Customs Service Office of Investigation, The Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Army detailed to the White House Protective Operations. I proudly served three years in the U.S. Army and received an honorable discharge. I commanded a broad range of high-level assignments to include serving as the Assistant to the Special Agent In Charge, Homeland Security in Houston, TX responsible for sensitive and classified operations, management of a large number of employees; the National Program Manager for Covert/Undercover Operations for the U.S. Customs Service at Headquarters in Washington, D.C. responsible for the management of 100+ million dollars and oversight of undercover operations worldwide; the U.S. Customs Chief of Regional Intelligence in New Orleans, LA responsible for real time law enforcement operations in a five state area; and the U.S. Customs Deputy Assistant Regional Commissioner, New Orleans, LA. I supervised the National Management Inspection program and traveled throughout the nation conducting office inspections to insure compliance with policies and procedures. I received numerous honors, awards, and commendations including the Department of Treasury Albert Gallatin Award for Integrity (the Department of Treasury’s highest career service award), the U.S. Customs Service Supervisor of the Year, and the New Orleans Metropolitan Crime Commission Excellence in Supervisory Law Enforcement Award.