Attorney Dana C. “DC” Matthews II on ECCAC Board of Directors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Attorney Dana C. “DC” Matthews II on ECCAC Board of Directors
Niceville FL (February 21, 2026)…The Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center (ECCAC) recently welcomed their newest member to their Board of Directors, Attorney Dana C. “DC” Matthews II.
A native of Northwest Florida, Matthews was born and raised in Santa Rosa Beach, Walton County, FL. After attending Florida State University and then Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School, he returned to Santa Rosa Beach in 2013, and joined his father’s law firm, Matthews & Jones, LLP, n/k/a Matthews & Matthews, LLP, one of the largest attorney offices located on the Emerald Coast, established in 1983.
In law school, Matthews interned for two summers with the State Attorney’s Office in Okaloosa County, Florida, where he became aware of the legal needs and services that the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy’s provided to children experiencing abuse, abandonment or neglect.
“I grew up here, moved back, got married, and now my wife and I are raising our two children in this community. So, helping children in need in our local area is important to me. I am excited to assist ECCAC in any way I can to further its great cause,” said Matthews. “With my knowledge of the community and legal background, I am hoping to bring the necessary assistance to ECCAC while serving on the Board, as well as sitting on the Donor Development Committee.”
In addition to his law practice, Matthews has been very involved in the community. He is past president of the Okaloosa County Bar Association; a member of the Walton County Bar Association; has served on the boards of the Walton County Chamber of Commerce and Walton County’s Small Business Association; a member of the All Sports Association; and for the past four years has served on the Board of the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation. As well, he maintains an active involvement with his son and daughter’s school sports and other activities. In his limited spare time, Matthews also enjoys playing golf, hunting and fishing.
Julie Porterfield, CEO of ECCAC commented, “DC brings his significant expertise in so many areas to our Board. We welcome him, he will definitely help us continue our important mission to help children.”
ECCAC’s mission is to heal and prevent the trauma of childhood abuse and neglect by providing advocacy, child-friendly therapies, and a safe environment for kids to feel seen, heard, and understood. In 2025 alone, ECCAC assisted 1,553 kids and 17,275 students received Safety Matters prevention education in area schools. Though ECCAC does not house children, they provide services to children and their families at no cost in their Okaloosa and Walton County centers.
For further information about ECCAC, visit www.eccac.org. If abuse is suspected, report it by calling the anonymous Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE.
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This photo attached to email in high res:
Attorney Dana C. “DC” Matthews II is the newest
member of ECCAC’s Board of Directors.
