NICEVILLE — Dr. David Goetsch, Northwest Florida State College’s vice president emeritus, is the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame’s newest inductee.
The Hall of Fame recognizes Florida veterans who made significant contributions to the state after their service in the military. Goetsch, a Marine Corps veteran, was among a class of 11 inductees recognized by Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs.
The induction ceremony took place in the Cabinet Room of the capitol and was followed by a reception at the governor’s mansion.
During his acceptance speech, Goetsch said, “Each of us being inducted here today served in uniform. We served in different branches of the military, but all have one thing in common. When we hung up our uniforms, we did not stop serving. For that I commend you, I salute you, and I thank you.”
Goetsch still spends much of his time at the college supporting efforts in workforce development, institutional advancement, strategic development, as an adjunct faculty member and speaker for the Costa Leadership Institute. He also served as founding chairman of the Florida Defense Support Task Force.
“It goes without saying that Dr. Goetsch has touched and helped to shape the lives of many students and members of the NWF State College community,” said Dr. Sasha Jarrell, NWFSC’s interim president. “The college is proud of his many accomplishments during his tenure and is excited to see him and his family recognized with this honorable distinction.”
Other inductees included: late Gov. Reubin O’Donovan Askew, late Gov. LeRoy Collins, Sgt. Jordon J. “J.J.” Corbett, Rear Adm. Kevin F. Delaney, Lt. Col. Dennis O. Freytes, late Gov. Spessard L. Holland, Dr. William Proctor, Col. Washington J. Sanchez Jr., Chief Master Sgt. Johnny E. Stewart and Frederick A. Taylor Jr.
- Dr. David Goetsch is Emeritus Vice-President of Northwest Florida State College, where he served for 36 years. His administrative responsibilities included the college’s six branch campuses/centers, business and industry relations, military relations, local government relations and legislative relations.
- Goetsch taught in Business/ Management, Political Science and technical education. He also served as the college’s lead corporate trainer.
- He is the author of more than 70 books on topics including leadership, management, quality, supervision, organizational excellence, occupational safety, project management and economic development. Several of his books are bestsellers in the collegiate market and have been translated into foreign languages.
- Goetsch holds a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership, four master’s degrees (Management, Human Development and Counseling, International Relations, and Educational Leadership), a baccalaureate degree in Business/Technical Education, and an associate degree in Engineering Technology.
- Goetsch is vice-chairman of the Florida Defense Task Force, a group of community leaders from across the state (including the lieutenant governor and members of the Florida House of Representatives and Senate) established to ensure that Florida is a military-friendly state.
- He is co-founder, past chairman of the board, and life board member of the Okaloosa Economic Development Council, founding board member of the Walton Economic Development Alliance, past president of the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, past president (twice) and life director of the Niceville-Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce, board member of the Crestview Chamber of Commerce, and past foundation board member of the Walton Chamber of Commerce.
- Goetsch has been Northwest Florida’s “Economic Development Volunteer of the Year” three times (1992, 1996 and 2008). He was America’s Outstanding Technical Educator of the Year in 1984, Florida’s Outstanding Technical Educator of the Year in 1986, Instructor of the Year at the University of West Florida’s Fort Walton Beach Campus in 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1985, and Instructor of the Year at Northwest Florida State College (then Okaloosa-Walton Junior College) in 1976.
- In 2003, Goetsch was selected as a Distinguished Alumnus of the University of West Florida and in 2007 as one of the university’s top 40 alumni during its first 40 years of operation.
- In 2005, he received the James Campbell Community Service Award from the Niceville-Valparaiso- Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and the Spirit of Freedom Award from the Northwest Florida Daily News and its parent company at the time, Freedom Communications Inc.
- In 2009, the Carnegie Foundation recognized him for “Outstanding Community Engagement.”
- Goetsch was inducted into the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame in 2016. Goetsch, a Marine Corps veteran, was selected in recognition of his contributions in the areas of civic activities, economic development, and education.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Past Crestview chamber board member among Veterans Hall of Fame inductees