Board of Directors
Kara Chilcutt
President
Kara Chilcutt is a native of Walton County, growing up in Freeport and settling with her husband in DeFuniak Springs. Kara attended University of West Florida and graduated with a B.A. in English Liberal Arts and an M.A. in English Literature. During her time at UWF, she taught English and co-organized a first-year composition conference for English students. Since graduating, Kara worked as a grant coordinator for the City of DeFuniak Springs, writing grants to preserve and restore the historic buildings around Lake DeFuniak. Kara now works at Northwest Florida State College as its grant management coordinator and is the owner of KC Grant Services.
Tyler Noble
Vice President
Mary Catherine Disney, CPA, CGMA
Treasurer
For more than 35 years, Cathy has been providing accounting, bookkeeping, payroll and tax return preparation services for individuals and small businesses. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Campbellsville College in Campbellsville, Kentucky in 1977 with majors in mathematics and sociology. in 1980, she added a major in accounting from the University of Alabama-Birmingham. Since obtaining her CPA license in 1984, Cathy has continuously worked in either public accounting or industry (or both) giving her a wide diversity of experience to offer her clients. Cathy is a licensed CPA in both Florida and Kentucky and has also achieved CGMA (Chartered Global Management Accountant) designation. She is an active member of the AICP (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) and the FICPA (Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants). In November of 2012, Cathy relocated from Corbin, Kentucky to DeFuniak Springs, Florida and opened her office on Circle Drive where she serves clients in several states in addition to those in Florida and Kentucky. She and her husband Glenn live in Mossy Head, Florida. They have four grown children and two grandchildren.
Brooke Hoke
Secretary
Brooke Hoke, a native of Northwest Florida, was raised in the Niceville area prior to relocating to DeFuniak Springs 10 years ago. Brooke is a graduate of Northwest Florida State College, where she received a BAS degree in Project Management/Quality Improvement. For the past 18 years, Brooke has held a career at Trustmark National Bank where she currently holds the officer level position of Commercial Loan Portfolio Manager. She is an active member of the DeFuniak Springs Planning Board Committee and leader of the local Girl Scout Troop. Brooke’s prior community involvement includes various volunteer positions with the Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Kiwanis Club, the Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast, the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, and Referral Leaders International. Brooke’s passions include exploring nature with her daughter, assisting animal rescues, and volunteering in her community.
Ryan Chilcutt
2025 Assembly Program Chair
Ryan Chilcutt is a longtime resident of Walton County, FL, his family having originally settled in the County in the 1860s. He has been an active community volunteer, assisting United Way, former Florida Chautauquas, and the Walton County Fair. He specializes in Fur Trade Era historical reenactments and has participated in the Florida Frontiersman Settlement Camp for many years. His love of history stretches to many other time periods, particularly wartime eras.
Thomas Cloud, Esquire
Board Member
Mr. Thomas Cloud is an attorney and historian, has practiced law in Florida for four decades primarily handling utilities, environmental, state and local government, land use and administrative matters. He has been Chairman of the Florida Environmental and Land Use Law Section and President of the Florida Municipal Attorneys Association. He is Board-certified by the Florida Bar in City, County, and Local Government Law. He has served as general and special counsel to over 100 cities and counties throughout Florida, the Florida League of Cities, the Space Coast League of Cities, and is City Attorney to the City of Wauchula, Polk City, and the City of Fort Meade, as well as General Counsel to the Utilities Commission of New Smyrna Beach. He has authored numerous articles and made presentations on Florida legal and historical topics to a variety of audiences around the country.