On Nov. 9, FSU Panama City announced the 2021 Notable ‘Noles as part of a more than 20-year campus homecoming tradition. The 2021 Notable 'Noles include marketing consultant Nancy Luther, healthcare liaison Heather Kretzer and emergency services officer Brooke Powell.

The award is given to FSU Panama City alumni who demonstrated excellence as students and have made outstanding contributions to the community and within their careers. Since the award’s inception in 1996, FSU Panama City has recognized 80 Notable ’Noles, accounting for less than 1 percent of the campus’ alumni.

NANCY LUTHER, ’91

Since Nancy Luther made Bay County her home 35 years ago, she has been serving this community. She has worked in the marketing and media industry since 1997, including 18 years as a senior marketing consultant for iHeartMedia Inc. After six years as the branch manager of Adecco Staffing, Luther returned to iHeartMedia in summer 2021, bringing a fresh perspective to broadcast and digital media.

“Nancy represents the best of FSU PC and our community as a motivated, compassionate and enthusiastic alumna. Her heart is in her service and so many people in Bay County have benefited from it,” wrote Tanya Deal, HR director, Bay County Clerk of Court and 2016 Notable 'Nole.

Luther serves on the Innovations Federal Credit Union Board of Directors, United Way of Northwest Florida Executive Board, Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center’s Women’s Advisory Board and the Bay County Chamber Governmental Affairs Committee. She's involved in the Emerald Coast Business Women's Association’s Death by Chocolate, raising funds for Bay County women to pursue higher education at FSU PC and other local institutions. Luther also has volunteered and served on the boards of Bay Arts Alliance and the Bay County Society for Human Resource Management.

“She is someone you want on your team. She is achievement oriented to successfully accomplish the goal or objective of any project. Most importantly, she is a wonderful human being full of integrity with a heart full of compassion,” wrote Karen Hurst, senior VP/CMO Innovations FCU and 2018 Notable ‘Nole.

After graduating from Gulf Coast State College, Luther studied in FSU’s School of Criminology, earning an Academic Leadership Award. She graduated from FSU PC in '91 with a bachelor's in criminology, then life redirected her path.

“I got into criminology because I wanted to make a difference, but working within the media industry allowed me to be able to do that, to get involved in so many different organizations,” Luther said. “I love this community."

HEATHER KRETZER, ’00

When the first cases of the COVID-19 pandemic hit Bay County in 2020, Heather Kretzer was the liaison disseminating information from the Florida Department of Health Bay County to the public. As the public information officer, she remained the constant calming voice during the pandemic after helping the county navigate through Hurricane Michael.

“My education at FSU PC was the foundation that prepared me for the pandemic and Hurricane Michael. I was better equipped for when I took the FEMA course, Advanced Public Information Officer,” said Kretzer, who graduated from FSU PC in 2000 with her bachelor's in communications.

The Wewahitchka native graduated from Gulf Coast State College, then transferred to FSU Tallahassee before coming home to FSU Panama City.

“There were more scholarship opportunities and the communication program at FSU PC had more options,” Kretzer said. “I think the program better prepared me to be able to work in the community.”

Kretzer enjoyed opportunities for hands-on learning at FSU PC, from advertising campaigns and copywriting to Photoshop, and still utilizes her communication skills.

Kretzer served as producer, assignment editor and news director for WMBB News 13 before working for the health department. In April, she switched career paths to become a physician liaison at Northwest Florida Wound Care & Hyperbaric Centers, helping make patient referrals and potentially saving lives.

"As I grew as a person, my interest in communications became more of a passion to help the community," Kretzer said. “I think our community’s biggest asset is its people. Ever since Hurricane Michael, there is a shared experience we all have, and it has made for an even greater bond than before."

Her passion for the community has led to chairing committees such as Breastfeeding Bay, Bay County's Breastfeeding Task Force; Early Education and Care’s Health Advisory Committee; and Bay County's Recovery Oriented System of Care Communications and Education Committee.

BROOKE POWELL, ’00, ‘01

Emergency Services Chief Administrative Officer and nationally-certified Public Information Officer for Bay County Emergency Services, Brooke Powell (’00, '01) has more than 20 years of experience in training and safety. She also works with numerous local organizations, including Girls Inc. and Elevate Bay.
Powell began her career as a public and government relations representative at Bay Solutions while attending FSU Panama City, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Communication followed by her Master of Science in Communication in 2001. 

Powell continued her career at Progress Energy, a Fortune 500 company. She was office manager and staff safety coordinator at Gator Power at the University of Florida. She also was actively involved with the Gainesville Chamber and University Affairs, and she served as the regional safety representative. 

Powell returned home to Panama City in 2006 and entered the public sector as training and development coordinator for the Bay County Board of Commissioners. During her time at human resources, she developed and implemented programs to further the education and careers of county employees. Powell also worked in risk management as administrator of the Wellness Program and coordinated the County Safety Committee until transferring to Emergency Services in 2010.

Powell is an administrator for the social media platforms for Bay County Emergency Services, using the platform to ensure public outreach regarding such items as hurricane preparedness, beach flag safety, and wildfire awareness. She also started a campaign to showcase hometown heroes, ensuring Emergency Services staff are showcased for their community contributions.

Powell served as one of the lead PIOs for Hurricane Michael response in Bay County and was asked to come to the Florida Association of PIOs and share best practices and lessons learned from the hurricane. She was awarded a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Congressman Neal Dunn for her work with the hurricane response and recovery. Powell is a two-time winner for the State Emergency Response Commission Thomas Yatabe Award.

She recently entered the Gulf Coast State College Fire Academy and is the oldest female to graduate from the program, obtaining her Florida Firefighter certification in July 2021.

Click here to view past Notable 'Noles or to submit a nomination.