Matthew Sweester was born and raised in Destin and is a descendent of one of Destin’s founding, father’s John G. Maltezo who settled in Destin from Greece. Sweester enjoys following in so many of his family members’ footsteps with his local civic duties.

“I am currently the vice-chairmen on the Parks and Recreation Committee, a board member on the Town Center CRA Committee, and the board treasurer for the Destin History & Fishing Museum,” Sweester said. And when he is not volunteering for the city or working he is relaxing at home with his cocker spaniel, Romeo, and working in the garden while Romeo chases lizards.

 

Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do? How did you get into your industry?

“I have worked in the tourism rental industry for 18 years. I truly love playing a small part in making sure our guests receive that southern hospitality while visiting the area to ensure their return. My second-grade teacher at Destin Elementary, Mrs. Cindy Abbott, and I crossed paths during my junior year of high school. We hugged and chatted like usual. Mrs. Abbott asked that I go apply for a job with Abbott Resorts at the Henderson Park Inn B&B. I immediately fell in love with the Inn as most do. I happily accepted the position which led me to where I am today.”

What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?

“Dewey Destin’s, Local Market, Harbor Docks, & Callahan’s.”

From where are you originally, long have you lived or worked in our community and how did you end up here?

“I was born and raised here in Destin, a fifth-generation descendant from one of Destin’s founding fathers, John G. Maltezo.”

Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?

“Most definitely Mrs. Willie Mae Taylor. She was my great-grandmother’s best friend. As a child, I would sit on the counter in the old Destin post office while she and my grandma Vera told me old stories about Destin.”

When you have free time, what are some of your places to go and things to do here locally? When guests visit, where are the first places you take them?

“ When I have free time I work in my garden, antiquing, thrifting, and spend as much time as possible on the water. And when guests visit we go to dinner at Dewey Destins, visit the Destin History & Fishing Museum and enjoy a sunset cruise on the Space Dancer with East Pass sailing company.”

What advice would you give to people?

“To advise them about protecting the beauty of our area with the Leave No Trace Initiative.”

Who are some of your favorite local bands?

“My cousin, Nathan Fifes dueling piano show and or wherever Nick Horton is performing.”

What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?

“Destin’s fishing fleet. Growing up fishing with my grandpa Capt. Harold Walter on the Lady Evanthia, I have a great love for all of those who have continued the true heritage of our beautiful home.”

What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?

“Clement E. Taylor ‘Calhoun Park’. It’s one of the most beautiful untouched pieces of Destin with the old live oak trees and stunning sunsets.”

Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?

“Helping to have a larger role in the Destin community to help preserve our town’s heritage and future progress.”

(Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?

“I retrieved the cross in January 1999, Greek Orthodox Epiphany Cross Dive. I dove for five years before I was blessed enough to finally retrieve the cross in those ice-cold waters. I was very determined to win that year, I practiced by jumping in and out of my grandparent’s pool to prepare myself for the cold shock from the Destin harbor.”

Who inspires you to be better?

“That would be my aunt Elizabeth Walter Perry. Elizabeth has always been my voice of reason and has inspired me to be the man I am today.”

What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?

“Family, lifelong friends, and the sweet smell of a good ole fish fry.”

Is there anything you would like to add or like people to know about you or your business?

“I would like to bring more awareness to our locals and tourists about our ‘Leave No Trace’ initiative and the Adopt a Street program. We must all do our part to keep our beautiful home as clean as possible.”