A
As Executive Director of Madison Chamber of Commerce, Michelle Epling respects the solid foundation that the previous leadership of the board of directors and ambassadors have built. “I am looking forward to working with each of them to continue to grow and enhance the great work that was done before me,” Epling said. Epling pursued the job opening with the chamber because “I truly love our town. It’s the best city in Alabama, and I have loved living and working here since 2007.” “We have amazing community partners who have supported us and continued to support us throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. I am looking forward to continuing to work with them to showcase their businesses through fun chamber events throughout the year,” Epling said. Looking at the personality of Madison and her attraction to newcomers, Epling appreciates Madison’s quality of life “where you can put down your roots with your family, work and community.” In addition, Madison City Schools stands as a shining example to other districts and “is ranked the second best in the state of Alabama,” she said. As Madison experiences tremendous growth, the job market and new families also are expanding. “I am looking forward to continuing to promote that to all our visitors, shoppers and families who live and work in and around Madison,” Epling said. “This will only continue to enhance our different industry businesses and continue to drive economic growth in our region.” Epling’s professional resume includes Director of Capital Giving, Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater and Academy in Huntsville; Account Executive, Huntsville “EVENT” magazine and “Huntsville Business Journal”; and sales and marketing for Newberry Pecans in Ardmore. In jobs with remote/travel focus, she worked as Lending Development Specialist with CUNA Mutual and as Client Development Manager for Allied Solutions. “I have spent my career as a corporate sales trainer in the classroom, and my experience in direct sales and entrepreneurship has given me the skills to be able to use all these skills to help grow the chamber,” Epling said. A Huntsville native, Epling earned a bachelor’s de-
gree in marketing at Auburn University. She also holds licenses for Life and Health Insurance, along with Property and Casualty Insurance. Since 2007, she has been a Madison resident. After securing her first job after college, Epling wanted to live near where she grew up “but in a new environment so I could expand my horizons.” She started out in an apartment next to Dublin Park and has lived in her current home for 10-plus years. “I love that we (Madison residents) have the best opportunities to truly live that work/life balance through various community events that happen each week in our hometown,” Epling said. Her husband, Adam Epling, works as a software consultant at Hexagon. Their twin daughters, Abby and Charlotte, are first-graders. For more information, email Michelle@madisonalchamber.com or visit madisonalchamber.com, facebook. com/madisonalchamber or instagram.com/madisonalchamber.
Madison Living 59
