Tom Moody named Crestview 2025 Citizen of the Year

Tom Moody, a longtime volunteer with the Crestview Chamber of Commerce, was presented the City of Crestview’s 2025 Citizen of the Year award during a special ceremony on Jan. 13, 2025, the mayor announced.

The award recognizes Moody’s years of visible volunteer work: he has been a chamber member since 2006, has been named the chamber’s member/volunteer of the year in 2021 and 2024, and routinely hosts community events — from fundraisers and graduations to military appreciation and parade gatherings — on his private ranch, officials said.

The mayor described the selection process as a committee review of submissions that produces a recommendation the City Council approves. Several past winners and council members attended the ceremony and offered remarks praising Moody’s long record of service to the chamber and the city.

Councilwoman Allison said, “Mister Moody, thank you so much for your service to our city and this what you've done for us, and I look forward to what you're gonna do for us in the year to come.” Other elected officials and chamber leaders echoed that view, noting Moody’s steady presence at ribbon‑cuttings, breakfasts and parades.

Moody told attendees he felt “overwhelmed” and proud to follow previous winners. He spoke about Crestview’s growth and singled out local officials and staff for credit in recent changes. During his remarks Moody offered a short motto he said reflected his approach to community work: “The difficult we do immediately. The impossible we take a little bit of longer to accomplish.”

Organizers presented Moody with a plaque dated Jan. 13, 2025, a branded ball cap and a commemorative coin from the Florida League of Mayors. The mayor and chamber leaders also outlined community events where Moody will be invited to represent the city this year, including the community walk with the Crestview Police Department, the Memorial Day Parade, the Veterans Parade, the Chamber of Commerce breakfast and other scheduled parades and festivals.

Speakers at the ceremony included past recipients and local officials who recounted instances of Moody’s involvement — mounted posse activities with the Okaloosa County sheriff’s office, leadership of the Panhandle Saddle Club, and fundraising efforts described at the event as supporting horses and veteran‑related causes. A number of residents offered brief public comments thanking Moody for invitations to bring children to his ranch and for other community gestures.

The special ceremony concluded with brief administrative remarks that the meeting was adjourned and the City Council would reconvene at 6:00 p.m. for the regularly scheduled council meeting.