Shelby County Chambers join forces, to begin 2019 united as one
Two organizations that represent business interests in Shelby County will join forces in 2019 under a new name, but the same common goal: championing Shelby County as the premier place to live and do business. The Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce on Thursday announced they have decided unify and will be known as the Shelby County Chamber as of Jan. 1, 2019. “Both organizations have embraced the synergy that has emerged as they collaboratively worked on and jointly attended events around the county over the last three years. This is really a natural next step,” said Jacqueline Gardner of St. Vincent’s One Nineteen Health and Wellness and the South Shelby Chamber Chair. “Both organizations share a vision for Shelby County.” The decision to join the two organizations was unanimously approved by the board of directors of each chamber, on November 27 and November 28. “There is tremendous support from members of both organizations. I believe they recognize and are excited about the opportunities a united effort can mean for Shelby County businesses,” said Joe Meads of Sain Associates and Chair of the Greater Shelby Chamber. Currently, some people serve on the Board of Directors for both Chambers and some Shelby County business are members of both organizations with a different representative on each Board. According to the Chambers, the businesses that currently have multiple representatives will ultimately have the choice to decide who sits on the newly combined Board. “The decision was made to combine the board members from both existing organizations into one leadership body. Over time, through attrition, one Board of Directors will emerge,” explained Kirk Mancer, President and CEO of the Greater Shelby Chamber. Paul Rogers of NobleBank & Trust and the task force team leader, explained the process has been very deliberative with significant outreach to all segments of both organizations and to the local governments involved; adding that the mission of partnering with community stakeholders to support the stability and foster economic vitality throughout Shelby County has been a common theme in all deliberations. “As County Manager, I view the movement to one Chamber, one voice, as very positive for Shelby County,” said Alex Dudchock, Shelby County Manager. “Working together, each one bringing strengths to the table; will energize support for businesses and strengthen the current workforce development efforts that are critical to our future,” he said. Months of deliberation by task teams made up of members from both Chambers resulted in the obvious name for the new entity. The unified Shelby County Chamber will showcase a new logo when it begins operations on Jan. 1, 2019. “These two organizations have energetic members and visionary leadership, there is strength in unity. This is an exciting progressive move for the overall business environment in Shelby County,” said Bill Connor of America’s First Federal Credit Union and the Chair-Elect of the Greater Shelby Chamber.
Shelby County Board of Education to host Superintendent candidates’ forum
The Greater Shelby County, South Shelby County, Montevallo Chamber’s of Commerce and Shelby County Newspapers, Inc. will join forces to co-host a candidate forum for the Shelby County Board of Education Superintendent candidates on Thursday, May, 31. “On behalf of our partners for this Forum we’re looking forward to hosting this program,” said Kirk Mancer, President and CEO of the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. “All three of our chambers work collaboratively with schools throughout Shelby County, so having the opportunity to hear from the two candidates seeking this important leadership position was something we all wanted to do.” The forum will take place from at Jefferson State Community College’s Shelby-Hoover campus from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.. Three-term current Superintendent, Randy Fuller, announced his retirement, effective in December in January of this year. Looking to fill his shoes is Assistant Superintendent of Administration Shelby County Schools, Dr. Lewis Brooks along with Oak Mountain High School Principal Kristi Sayer. Each of the candidates will have time to respond to questions determined by the three chambers. “The Superintendent for the Shelby County Board of Education oversees programming for 20,950+ students throughout all of our communities,” Keyla Handley, Acting Director for the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce said. “As the unified voice for Shelby County businesses — who will employ and work with these students in the future — it’s vital we hear from these individuals on career readiness efforts we’ll need moving forward.” “Our schools are the foundation of our communities,”Executive Director of the Montevallo Chamber of Commerce, Steve Gilbert commented. “This forum will allow everyone the opportunity to learn more about the platform the two candidates seeking to serve as Superintendent for the Shelby County Board of Education want to implement.” The candidates Dr. Lewis Brooks, current assistant superintendent of administration and pupil services for Shelby County Schools, Brooks has been a resident of Shelby County for the past 26 years. A graduate of the University of Montevallo, he also received his doctorate of education degree in 2010 at Samford University. “I decided to run for the position of superintendent of Shelby County Schools because, after many years of working in the district, I know the parents, educators and the staff here have such a high level of commitment to excellence in education for the students we serve,” Brooks told 280 Reporter. “I love that about this district and I share that same commitment.” Kristi Sayers, current Oak Mountain High School Principal has been an educator for 23 years. She received her master’s degree in educational administration and supervision from the University of Montevallo and a doctorate degree in educational leadership from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. “For too long, we’ve just kind of left the family out, and we all have to work together,” she told the 280 Reporter. “It’s not a one-size-fits-all. I think I have good ideas, and I’m not afraid to act on those ideas. My goal is always to move things forward.” The event is free to the public.
Decision 2016: municipal candidates’ forums to provide information for Shelby County voters
Voters in several Shelby County municipalities will head to their respective voting places Tuesday, Aug. 23 to cast their ballots for candidates running for mayor and city council. Hoping to get to know this year’s candidates a little better before Election Day? The Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce, Montevallo Chamber of Commerce and Shelby County Newspapers, have you covered. They will be co-hosting forums prior to Election Day to help residents make the important decision of whom to vote for a little easier. “The purpose of these forums is to provide an opportunity for citizens and business people in these communities to meet and gather information from the candidates running for city council and mayor in these races, and ultimately make an informed decision prior to Aug. 23,” said Greater Shelby County Chamber President & CEO Kirk Mancer. Below at the dates of the Shelby County candidate forums: Thursday, Aug. 11 Westover 6:15-7:30 p.m. ServPro Training Center 11063 U.S. Highway 280, Westover Chelsea (Hosted by Chelsea Business Alliance) 7 p.m. Chelsea High School 10510 County Road 11, Chelsea Monday, Aug.15 Alabaster 6-8 p.m. Alabaster Municipal Building 1953 Municipal Way, Alabaster Tuesday, Aug. 16 Pelham 6-8 p.m. Pelham High School — Auditorium 2500 Panther Circle, Pelham Wednesday, Aug. 17 Montevallo 6-8 p.m. Montevallo City Hall 541 Main St., Montevallo “With these municipal elections quickly approaching, it’s important for voters in these communities to make the most of their right to vote,” Mancer continued. “We’re pleased to collaborate with our partners at the Montevallo and South Shelby chambers in hosting this series of candidates’ forums. These forums will allow voters to meet the candidates, as well as learn how the issues shaping each race will affect them and their cities.”
