On Sept. 27, FSU Panama City announced the 2022 Notable ‘Noles as part of a more than 20-year campus homecoming tradition. The 2022 Notable 'Noles include Gulf Coast State College business and technology chair and professor Melanie Boyd, CareerSource Golf Coast deputy director of operations and programs Maria Goodwin, Bay District Schools director of communications Sharon Michalik, Real Estate agent and multi-business co-owner Zack Sanchez, and Circuit Judge Elijah Smiley.
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.
MELANIE BOYD, ’13
Melanie Boyd is the pinnacle of a Notable 'Nole. She has faced adversity and not only persevered but excelled. Her entire career has been dedicated to public service ranging from serving in the military to facilitating elections, delivering vital services to the community through public works, educating the leaders of tomorrow, and ensuring the Gulf Coast State College Advance Technology Center stays true to its name—Advanced.
She has achieved this by building an excellent team over her ten years as Division Chair, who under her leadership, have pioneered an unmanned vehicle program—the first in the State of Florida, developed and acquired cutting edge emergency communication technology and equipment through the Tempest Grant following Hurricane Michael, and ensure that the programs within the Business and Technology Division stay relevant by maintaining up-to-date equipment that meet industry standards.
While Melanie’s professional achievements are numerous, I would be remiss if I did not mention what, I think, is her proudest accomplishment, her lasting legacy, her children. From her brilliant son Joseph who was commissioned as a Naval Officer right out of college, and who just graduated from the Naval Nuclear Power Training Program, the toughest training program across all the armed forces. To her daughter—they say that imitation is the highest form of flattery, so Melanie should be quite flattered as I have it on good authority that Karen, through her mother’s example, has dedicated her career to public service.
When I think of what being a Notable Nole is, it is preserving through adversity with grace, facing the impossible head on with optimism and strength, striving to be of service by selflessly giving back to the community, and continuously developing and evolving through continuing education. Thus, when I think about who a Notable Nole is, it is Melanie Boyd, because she not only demonstrates each of these characteristics daily, but she inspires and encourages these traits in those around her, and that is what makes her extraordinary and one of this year’s Notable Noles.
MARIA GOODWIN, '02
Maria is known for her professionalism, her positive attitude, and her belief that partnerships are vital to achieve great results. She has an incredible work ethic; that was true even as a student at FSU PC, where she graduated Cum Laude with honors making the Dean's List for several semesters.
Maria's entire professional career has been in service to her community. She worked at the Bay County Chamber of Commerce, and then with the Bay County Economic Development Alliance prior to coming to work at CareerSource Gulf Coast as the very first Director of Communications in 2007.
Her degree has served her well as she put our organization on the map by developing our brand and increasing our presence in our 3-county service area. During this time she participated on the marketing committee of the Bay County Chamber and the United Way.
She was promoted to the Director of Workforce Services where she developed a team that provided thousands of services to both career seekers and employers alike. Even when her family moved for her husband's job, she continued to work in our region commuting several days a week rather than work elsewhere. She loves Bay County and this region.
Maria has been a great asset in the Economic Development projects representing CareerSource Gulf Coast. She is a huge advocate for growing and bringing and excellent jobs to our community. Maria is a great “first face” for Bay County due to her knowledge, personality, and determination to succeed. She advocates for our community understanding that great jobs provide prosperity. She has facilitated training for hundreds of low-income students and has championed training and education as the great equalizer. She is a strong believer that the talent pipeline must be full to continue to grow the prosperity not only for those obtaining the job, but for our community.
She was key in developing the "Hire a Military Spouse Campaign" and has written and received grants to provide special services for our military families. Maria was instrumental in accessing funds to develop a method to collect military retirees’ skill set data so that we could make a stronger case with Economic Development prospects and to assist existing industries in understanding the available and valuable skills of veteran military.
She visited with the head of Air Force Personnel in the Pentagon, our congressional representatives on Capitol Hill, and the Department of Economic Opportunity in Tallahassee to develop the necessary approvals and the process to retrieve the data and keep it secure.
Maria has served on many workgroups and projects locally for both chambers of commerce, Gulf Coast State College and FSU Panama City.
She was key to the development and implementation of Alignment Bay County focused on aligning community resources to remove barriers to student success.
She has volunteered on several community boards and currently serves on the Bay, Franklin, and Gulf Healthy Start Board of Directors and the Bay District Schools Oversight Committee.
Maria accomplished all of this while raising twin boys with her husband Michael. With her children's many sports activities, she has been the team mom, the coach’s wife, and has assisted with fundraising activities for school sports to provide for students who simply could not afford to play otherwise. Maria IS a Notable Nole.
“I have known Maria Goodwin for approximately 20 years and I can say without hesitation that she embodies all of the qualities of a Notable Nole.”
SHARON MICHALIK, ‘13
Sharon Michalik is an asset to Bay District Schools and to our entire community. She's a passionate advocate for those in need and has always spearheaded the district’s community outreach efforts.
After Hurricane Michael, however, she stepped into an entirely new role as she assumed leadership of our shelter operations and functioned as our "boots on the ground" at the Emergency Operations Center. She singlehandedly managed to find housing for hundreds of homeless employees, literally placing them one by one in the homes of other employees who could take them in temporarily.
She worked tirelessly with state and federal agencies to secure as many resources as possible for our employees who needed help rebuilding and replacing lost items and she even held a clothing drive to help employees find clothes for work. At the same time, she managed a HUGE international outreach for supplies and secured more than $150,000 in private funding to help teachers.
While doing all of that, she managed to secure funding and donations to provide clothing for more than 10,000 students. As soon as those operations were winding up, she turned her attention to Christmas and created a viral #SaveOurChristmas campaign that resulted in our warehouse literally being flooded with toys and gifts for children of all ages. Partnering with Salvage Santa, Sharon was dubbed "Elf Number One" and her efforts resulted in more than 25,000 Christmas gifts being provided to children in our community.
Since the hurricane, Sharon has developed shelter operation manuals and has helped train hundreds of employees to step up to serve our community if shelters are activated again. She continues to play a vital role in our community outreach efforts and was instrumental in developing our pandemic feeding plan for students that saw more than 45 buses on the road every day delivering thousands of meals to students and families in need.
As our Director of Communications, Sharon works tirelessly to ensure our stakeholders have access to as much information as possible. She has been instrumental in developing our social media outreach campaigns and in adding numerous platforms and ways that we can communicate with stakeholders AND that they with us.
On a more personal note, Sharon began her work with BDS as a teacher in 2000 during a time in her life that was very difficult. With scholarship help and student loans she was able to continue her education at FSU PC to secure a master's degree while working two jobs to support her children as a single mom. While she had many setbacks along the way, Sharon's dogged determination to get to the finish line with her master's degree never wavered.
She took on extra jobs during the summer to continue to pay her way while also being one of the few local teachers who earned the coveted National Board Designation for ELA teachers. Through her volunteer work with various agencies in our community, Sharon ensures she's giving back to her community in every way possible and she's definitely a deserving Notable ‘Nole.
ZACHARIAS SANCHEZ, ‘11
Zack Sanchez was born and raised in Panama City and is the proud son of Ruben and Iris Sanchez. His mother and father, native Puerto Ricans, are the embodiment of God-fearing, hardworking, and loving. Zack's always demonstrated an inclination towards business and entrepreneurship. His trademark character was developed watching his parents work hard and love well. They opened a restaurant in town which became a local favorite and the place where Zack would learn ins and outs of owning and operating a business. This experience laid the foundation for his passionate work ethic.
Zack began his career in real estate when he was just 15 years old, when he bought his first piece of property to build a spec home. When other kids were stressing about who to ask to prom or maybe what their moms put in their lunchboxes that day, Zack was working hard, and saving to buy more properties.
Zack was admitted to FSU Panama City after graduating from Mosley High School in 2009. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Florida State University in 2011. True to his nature, Zack graduated college with honors at the ripe old age of 19, ready to conquer the world with those values he learned growing up – working hard and loving well.
Upon graduating college, he started a job in banking, and later, insurance, where he learned management, how to effectively work with and lead a team of people, and general "how to make people happy" skills. During his time in insurance, Zack received his real estate license and began to flip houses. It didn't take long for him to realize that real estate was his true passion, and the beginnings of Think Real Estate began to take shape. As his days became longer, and nights became shorter while working a full-time job, and doing real estate on the side, he knew it was time to bring his five-year plan to fruition.
Zack is truly committed to making Bay County a great place to live, work and play. He is currently the proud co-owner of Think Real Estate, C&G Sporting Goods and Structure Painting. He also sits on the board of directors for the Bay County Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers, Big Sisters of NWFL and serves as chair of Be the Light Family Foundation. Zack is a devoted husband and father to his wife Olivia and two girls, Vivian and Violet.
JUDGE ELIJAH SMILEY, ‘99
Judge Elijah Smiley graduated with honors from Port St. Joe High School. After completing a summer program at Florida State University, he went on to obtain a bachelor’s in government, a master’s in business administration from the University of West Florida and a juris doctorate from Florida State University College of Law.
Judge Smiley has always had a love for learning and a desire to use his education in a way that would better serve his community. These factors played a significant role in his decision to further his education after he had obtained three degrees.
Hence, Judge Smiley enrolled at Florida State University Panama City and graduated Cum Laude in 1981 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He also became a certified public accountant.
Throughout Judge Smiley’s nearly 20-year history in the arena of justice, he has served as a felony and criminal judge in the 14th Judicial Circuit, which covers Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and Washington counties. As a result, his monthly caseload can range from 200 to 300 cases.
In addition to the decades of service in the area as an attorney, public defender, professor and judge, Smiley has earned several special community-based honors and awards, including Bay County Educators Outstanding Leadership Award, Advisory Committee for Urban Revitalization Equity’s Distinguished Government Service Award and Omega Psi Phi fraternity Citizen of the Year Award. He also has received several other special honors, including the Legal Services of North Florida Crump-Park Thurgood Marshal Award.
Judge Smiley has managed to dedicate time to serve the needs of the Port St. Joe community as well. For Christmas and Easter, Judge Smiley and his wife Kathy, started a tradition in which they prepare customized gift bags for babies, the elderly, and every age group in between. Gift bags for the children contain toys, books, and sweet and healthy treats. Teenagers and young adults are gifted books, games, and other age-appropriate gifts.
He has created programs to honor women, educators, and other leaders in the community. Judge Smiley established youth nights at Zion Fair which provides a safe environment for children to socialize, eat pizza, and participate in Bible Study.
He leads a committee of community leaders that focus on community improvement, community service, and community engagement.
Finally, Judge Smiley recently made history when he oversaw the creation and placement of the North Port St. Joe Veterans’ Monument. Local media covered the monument’s unveiling ceremony at Zion Fair Baptist Church, in which nearly 100 community members and supporters were in attendance.
Of all his achievements, Judge Smiley’s ability to effectively be a supportive husband, father, and member of his extended family, is the most remarkable. Therefore, in addition to being family-oriented Elijah Smiley is a judge, a scholar, a mentor, a community engager, and he is indeed the embodiment of a Notable Nole.
Click here to view past Notable 'Noles or to submit a nomination.