She remains the only woman to have been recognized with this distinction.
“I am deeply humbled to have received this honor again,” Ketchel, who serves as the commission’s vice chairman, said in a statement. “Mike Mitchell did so much for Okaloosa County in the years he served this community, and I am thankful to the Okaloosa County Republican Club for this incredible recognition.”
During the ceremony, Ketchel was recognized for her devotion and hard work as a commissioner. Her notable efforts over the years include the bridge-to-bridge multi-use path on Okaloosa Island, the construction of a new agriculture extension services building adjacent to the county fairgrounds, the creation of the Women Veterans Monuments adjacent to the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center, and the establishment of the ecumenical Lazarus Ceremony, which inters at Beal Memorial Cemetery the unclaimed individuals who have died in Okaloosa County each year.
The award is named after Mike Mitchell, who was the longest-serving Okaloosa County Republican commissioner. He was elected in1976, was the first Republican commissioner, and served 16 years on the commission.
Many knew Mitchell as “Mr. Republican.” He was well-respected for never having a partisan argument with his Democrat counterparts and was known for making the job as an elected official fun.
Ketchel was first recognized with the award in 2018, accepting the trophy in person from Mitchell. He died in 2020 at the age of 91.
Ketchel is one of only three people to receive the Mike Mitchell Award twice. Current county Supervisor of Elections Paul Lux and current School Board Chairman Lamar White also received the award two times.
Other recipients of the award include state Rep. Patt Maney, county Tax Collector Ben Anderson and Crestview Mayor J.B. Whitten.
