Catherine Card was named Specialist, Digital Media & Communications/Public Information Officer, at the November 14, 2022, School Board Meeting.
Catherine grew up in the Birmingham, Alabama area and went on to receive her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Auburn University. Afterward, she obtained her Master of Public Administration Degree from the University of West Florida. Catherine began her public service career at the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office as the Community Relations Coordinator where she developed and delivered public awareness campaigns, media interviews, oversaw all social media, and documented the agency through photography and videography while communicating key initiatives to the public.
Catherine spent two years in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, where she worked for the US State Department, serving in the US Embassy Community Liaison Office. Upon returning to the US, Catherine worked as the crisis communication specialist for the University of West Florida. Afterward, she continued her career as a law enforcement public information officer with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office as well as the policy and accreditation specialist for the Fort Walton Beach Police Department.
Catherine most recently worked for the City of Destin as their Public Information Manager and served as a member of the city’s emergency management team that works before, during, and after emergencies to coordinate and plan city operations while keeping staff and the community informed of relevant information.
Catherine has over two decades of experience in communications, media relations, and crisis communications. She has taught as an adjunct professor at Northwest Florida State College, and has volunteered at various non-profit organizations in the local area. She is currently chairwoman of Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers, which oversees the Student Crime Stoppers Program. Catherine was selected to meet with Governor DeSantis and discuss the state's progress-monitoring initiative. She previously served as the Bluewater Elementary Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) president and is currently Vice Chair of Ruckel Middle School’s School Advisory Council and is its current PTO President.
Catherine’s top priority is her family. She is married to Michael Card, a retired administration bureau chief with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. Catherine and Michael have four children and one grandchild.