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The Shelby County Chamber BUSINESS CONNECTIONS
Excellence in the Classroom Shelby County’s leading students and educators for the 20192020 school year were welcomed to The Shelby County Chamber to receive their cash award and congratulations from our program presenters America’s First Federal Credit Union, Vulcan Materials Company and The University of Montevallo. Schools throughout Shelby County were invited to submit both an “academic leader standout” and “career pathway standout” Student of the Year to represent their school. All of the nominees were evaluated on the following criteria: GPA, extra-curricular activities and awards, a written response (essay) on their proposed career track/course of study and letters of recommendation. Additionally, each student was asked to participate in a 20-minute Zoom interview with a panel of three judges. The Educator of the Year candidates were nominated in three categories – elementary, middle and high school -- by their school principals. Three judges evaluated them on their philosophy of teaching, community involvement and recommendations from colleagues and school administrators, including a brief video where many showcased their exceptional classrooms. All of the nominees were visited by representatives from the Chamber, and presented with a yardsign identifying them as a 20192020 nominee. “We believe that recognizing the excellence that is demonstrated by students and educators throughout Shelby County each and every day is a worthy pursuit.” Chamber President & CEO Kirk Mancer commented.
“Coupled with the challenges presented to all of our students and educators during the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s program is extra special”, Mancer concluded. Current Chamber Chair, Kathy Copeland with White Rock Quarries – Vincent Hills shared the following comments: “Career Readiness continues to be one of the four main areas in which our Shelby County Chamber is actively engaged through our current ShelbyOne – Next Level Up! programming. Recognizing excellence in our Shelby County classrooms -- is one component of the Chamber’s expanded efforts in collaborating with our partners in education. “Another is the “Keeping It Real” program which your Chamber just concluded its seventh year with 9th Grade students throughout our County. Between August 2019 and February 2020, Chamber staff and volunteers visited with 1,451 freshmen to share information on financial responsibility, the impact training can have on their future, as well as their ability to have the resources they’ll need and want”, Copeland continued. “We held our inaugural “Connect 2 Careers” for 2,759 10th grade students in September 2019. This program allowed our Shelby County businesses the opportunity to share interactive information on the types of careers available in our communities and assist these students as they’re making decisions on their career path beyond high school. The goal is to make sure these students have a better understanding about the options available to them here in Shelby County with this new “hands on” approach,
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with more than 50+ businesses and 150+ volunteers.” “We also completed our fifth year of our Communication Matters – a program on soft skills for 11th Grade Students, we officially visited 11 schools with more than 1,786 students in 2019-2020.” “Finally, for the 2019-2020 school year, we were excited to help launch a new pilot program in several high schools – “Ready To Work” here in Shelby County with The Onin Group and 58 INC. This new program was taught in the senior classroom, sharing important entry level skills required for employment with most businesses and industries in Alabama. The training curriculum is set to standards cited by business and industry employers throughout the state. We look forward to supporting this new program to ensure it is a success for our students and educators, in the years to come.” “As the leading voice for businesses -- both big and small -- in Shelby County, your Chamber is engaged in these programs, and collaborating with our partners in education for two very basic reasons: to ensure that our 1,180+ investor organizations – and businesses throughout Shelby County – will have the qualified workforce they’ll need in the future, and that all of our students know about the outstanding opportunities they have for quality employment right here in Shelby County,” Copeland concluded. This year’s Student & Educator of the Year program concluded with eight recipients – two “Career Pathway Standout” students, two “Academic Leader Standout” students, and one “Future Leader” student, as well as one Elementary
School Educator of the Year, one Middle School Educator of the Year and one High School Educator of the Year. The five student recipients each received a $1,000 cash award, and the three educator recipients received a $750 cash award. “The five student recipients are receiving these funds to continue their education and career development, and the three teachers are receiving their awards for use in their classrooms at their discretion,” Pari Barzegari, the Chamber’s Director of Community & Career Development shared. The 2019-2020 recipients recognized were: “Career Pathway Standout” Student of the Year Recipients: Caleb Reed Horton, Shelby County High School Kelsey Mooney, Helena High School “Academic Pathway Standout” Student of the Year Recipients: Matthew Bray, Oak Mountain High School Yesenia “Yesi” Villanueva, Chelsea High School “Future Leader” Student of the Year Recipient: Abby Grace Walker, Thompson High School “Elementary School Educator of the Year” Recipient: Martha Bentley, Elvin Hill Elementary School “Middle School Educator of the Year” Recipient: Janet Griffith, Thompson Middle School “High School Educator of the Year” Recipient: Geoffrey Wymer, New Direction
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Abby Grace Walker
Caleb (Reed) Horton
Geoffrey Wymer
Janet Griffith
Kelsey Mooney
Martha Bentley
Matthew Bray
Yesenia Villanueva
Importance of the Expanded Safer at Home Order and Following All Guidelines -- Including the Wearing Masks & Social Distancing As the leading voice for business throughout Shelby County, The Shelby County Chamber encourages everyone to follow the expanded Safer at Home Order Guidelines re-issued by Governor Kay Ivey on July 29th. “The health and safety of every employee -- as well as every customer -- should be our number one priority.” 2020 Chamber Chair Kathy Copeland commented. “Out of respect for business
owners, their employees and all of us, The Shelby County Chamber encourages everyone, when asked, to wear a mask and practice social distancing.” Copeland continued. “The Chamber’s leadership recognizes the personal freedoms which we as citizens of this great State and Nation enjoy,” Chamber President & CEO Kirk Mancer shared. “Those personal freedoms also come with a cer-
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tain level of personal responsibility,” Mancer continued. “The Shelby County Chamber echoes Governor Ivey’s comments that defeating this pandemic will require all of us to be vigilant. That vigilance – wearing a mask and practicing appropriate social distancing – is paramount to our businesses in Shelby County being able to remain open,” Mancer concluded. “All workers throughout our
County should be able to feel confident in returning to work. All consumers should be reassured that shopping in our businesses can be done in a safe manner,” Copeland stated. “We agree with Governor Ivey that we should all do everything we can to avoid our businesses having to close their doors again,” Copeland concluded.
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Excellence in the Classroom
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Investor Reception August 18
Decision 2020: Candidates’ Forum With municipal elections around the corner it is important to stay informed. The Shelby County Chamber’s Governmental Affairs Work Group will be co-hosting Candidates’ Forums for various mayoral elections
throughout the county. The virtual forums will be available on the Chamber’s website. To access these forums will take place please check the Chamber website (shelbychamber.org) or social media.
We encourage you to join your fellow investors and Chamber staff to learn how to maximize your investment. Whether your firm is a new -- or long-time investor - you’ll want to make plans to join us from 10:00AM to 11:00AM via ZOOM to make sure you and your colleagues are taking full advantage of your annual investment. To register email info@shelbychamber.org or call 205-663-4542.
The Shelby County Chamber’s - Women’s Business Council, comprised of over 100 women in business throughout Shelby County is thrilled to welcome their August meeting speaker – Dr. Dotti Bailey, Bailey is the Executive Director of SafeHouse of Shelby County, Inc. The non-profit organization is dedicated to providing critical domestic and sexual violence response, prevention and intervention programs for the communities of Shelby, Coosa, Clay, and Chilton Counties in Central Alabama. Dotti joined SafeHouse seven years ago and has been an advocate of women and children for more than 20 years. Dotti spent much of her career focused on issues surrounding domestic and sexual violence, child abuse, mental health, trauma, homelessness, and oppression. Dr. Bailey specializes in the areas of child trauma, complex trauma, trauma focused interventions, and trauma informed care. She received her Doctor of Social Work from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, a Master of Social Work from the University of Alabama and a Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work from the University of Montevallo. Bailey is the key speaker for the August 12, 2020 meeting, beginning at 11:30a.m. via Zoom. Women’s Business Council has been fortunate enough to welcome many speakers since their inception in August 2019, as Aimee Barnes, Women’s Business Council’s founding Chair summarizes. ”In addition to connecting women in our area, we seek to inspire our members in
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Shelby County Women’s Business Council Continues to Grow
a variety of channels. We hope to provide continuous opportunity and resources on how to balance mental health and personal health with our professions for optimum efficiency; helping to inspire young women early in their careers; and be a part of local, current events.” A couple of the quality presenters include Daphne Kendrick and Ashley Gann. Daphne holds an impressive resume, speaks multiple languages and is the Adult Mental Illness Division Director with Central Alabama Wellness. She joined the group for a holiday social at Corbin Farms Winery, in December 2019 walking the WBC through a checklist of mental health goals for the upcoming holiday season. In January 2020 at the WBC meeting at the North Shelby Library, Ashley spoke passionately about her career journey which started in Meridian, MS winded through Montgomery, to Atlanta, back to Montgomery and now here in the Magic City Ashley Gann, Chief Meteorologist at CBS 42, Ashley Gann is an Auburn grad-
uate in Aerospace engineering, soon after receiving her masters in Meteorology from Mississippi State.. Ashley is an award winning meteorologist and holds the prestigious Certified Broadcast Meteorology seal of approval. As one of only 8% of female Chief meteorologists in the nation, Ashley has become a champion for women in business, encouraging young girls in STEM, and advocates for work cultures that help retain women later in life. She is a believer in gender equity as it is the tool that gets us to gender equality. Rounding out spring meetings, Dr. Aye Unnoppet, a functional medicine specialist in Alabaster, AL who has been practicing for 19 years, spoke to the group in February during their final in person meeting at the Pelham Recreation Center. Dr. Unnoppet attended Tulane University on a full athletic scholarship and graduated from Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2000. She spoke to the group about her continuous journey to
health both mental and physical, and the pressures she sees on the women that come into her practice. Women’s Business Council has hosted numerous other speakers, panels, and social events fostering connections and networking opportunities thought the group. If you are interested receiving more information or being a part of The Shelby County Chamber’s Women’s Business Council, email Pari Barzegari, Director of Career and Community Development at pari@shelbychamber.org. Women’s Business Council continues to meet monthly via Zoom.
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I Shop Shelby CountyT-Shirt Contest
Turner Promotions, Brownstone Marketing Solutions, 58 INC and The Shelby County Chamber have come together to launch a fun contest designed to help support businesses throughout Shelby County. Here’s how: 1) Visit www.roguegarments. com and click on the #ShopShelbyCounty tab to purchase a
“#ShopShelbyCounty” t-shirt in one of two premium colors. The cost for the Gildan 6 oz, Ultra Cotton shirt is $25… 2) Once you pick up your T-shirt from the Chamber everyone is encouraged to take a photo of you wearing your t-shirt… 3) Upload your picture to your favorite social media channel and
Tag the Chamber on any one of the Chamber’s social media outlets (Facebook, Instagram or Twitter). We select a random “winner” every two weeks to receive a $25 gift certificate to their favorite Shelby County business for as long as the contest runs. The more shirts that are sold, the
more certificates we’ll award. We’re all in this together, so, join the contest by buying a shirt (or two!), and once you get them share that photo! $15 from each shirt sold will go directly to support businesses in Shelby County Alabama. Purchased shirts must be picked up through The Shelby County Chamber.
“6th Annual Healthcare Professional of the Year” Awards Program The Shelby County Eye Care and President Chamber’s Health Services of Alabama Eye Partners, Work Group is hosting LLC. Dr. Ansley is a native the 6th Annual Healthof Helena, AL and comcare Professional of the pleted his undergraduate Year Awards Program via studies at Samford UniverZOOM on August 26th sity in 2009. He attended from 11:30AM to 1:00PM. the University of AlaAnsley The Program, co-sponbama-Birmingham School sored by Buffalo Rock Company of Optometry where he was a memand Shelby Baptist Medical Center, ber of Beta Sigma Kappa National will recognize individuals who have Optometric Honor Society, Vice been nominated for having made President of the American Optometoutstanding contributions in the ric Student Association and founder healthcare profession. Any health- and President of UABSO’s sports vicare professional employed in the sion club. Dr. Ansley completed his Shelby County area was eligible to training at the Tuscaloosa VA Medibe nominated. Featured Speaker, cal Center, Retinal Consultants of AlDr. Tim Ansley is Owner of Inverness abama and Cool Springs Eye Care of
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Franklin, Tennessee. Since graduation, He was appointed to the board of directors of the Birmingham Optometric Society and served as President in 2018. He is also a member of the American Optometric Association (AOA) and the Alabama Optometric Association (ALOA). He was appointed to the ALOA Leadership Optometry Class in 2017 and was elected to the ALOA board of directors in 2018. Dr. Ansley was awarded “Young Optometrist of the Year” by the Alabama Optometric Association in 2019. In the community, Dr. Ansley has provided vision screenings for local elementary schools and participated in health fairs, and is team optometric physician for
Samford University Athletics. There is no cost to attend, however space is limited so please reserve your spot by contacting the Chamber at info@ shelbychamber.org, by telephone at 205-663-4542 or register online at www.shelbychamber.org prior to the event.
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F i n d U s O n l i ne |
TSCC Officers and Board of Directors (as of 7/29/2020) OFFICERS Chamber Chair Ms. Kathy Copeland White Rock Quarries– Vincent Hills Chair-Elect Mr. Chris Grace Barge Design Solutions, Inc. Vice Chair, Business Development & Support Dr. Jay Crisman 280 Animal Medical Center Vice Chair, Communications & Marketing Ms. Carol Bruser University of Montevallo Vice Chair, Community & Career Development Mr. Daniel Listi Shelby Baptist Medical Center Vice Chair, Finance & Administration Mr. Bill Keller Renasant Bank Vice Chair, Governmental Affairs Mr. Brian Massey St. Vincent’s Health System Vice Chair, Investor Relations Ms. Alison Howell Steineker Alabama Power Company
Vice Chair, Tourism & Recreation Mr. Alex Dudchock Shelby County Immediate Past Chair Mr. Bill Connor America’s First Federal Credit Union DIRECTORS Mr. John Collier Regions Bank
Ms. Brittani Morris State Farm Insurance Brittani Morris Agency Mr. Casey Morris McLeod Software Mr. Fred Smith Vulcan Termite & Pest Control Mr. Rux Bentley Rux Carter Insurance
Mr. Lee Dorrill Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama
Mr. Keith Brown Jefferson State Community College
Ms. Kelly Thrasher Fox Hand Arendall, Harrison, Sale LLC
Mr. Jeff Purvis A. C. Legg, Inc.
Mr. Kevin Morris America’s First Federal Credit Union Mr. Tim Benefield Buffalo Rock Company Ms. April Harry Warren, Averett, LLC Keith Richards Taziki’s Mediterranean Café’ Mike Swinson Spire Alabama, Inc. Ms. Mechelle Wilder ARC Realty Mr. Paul Barber Valent Group Mr. Matthew Hogan Bama Budweiser of Shelby County
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Ms. Bridgette Jordan Smith City of Vincent Mr. Guy Locker SouthWest Water Company Mr. Daniel Holmes Shelby County Newspapers, Inc. Ms. Khiari McAlpin Vinehouse Nursery Ms. Diane Thomas PostNet of Chelsea Ms. Laura Clarke Synovus Bank The Hon. Holly Cost City of Montevallo Shelby County Mayors Association
Access our investor directory
New Investors (May 28-June 19, 2020)
Alabama Education Association Pelham
CrossFit Inferis Pelham
Old Baker Farm Harpersville
Ann’s All Around Town Catering Hoover
Quick Shop Birmingham Weber Mortgage Birmingham Engineering Design Technologies, Inc Birmingham
Oversoul Brewing LLC Helena Cahaba Management & Consulting Pelham Alabama Fleet Worx, LLC Gardendale
On Demand Healthcare LLC Pelham
Viper Imaging Birmingham
Your Chamber at work May 16 - June 12, 2020
- Facebook: 97 “new likes”, 1,042 “views”, 21,311 “post reaches” and 3,827 “total likes”. - Twitter: 22 “tweets”, 3,166 “tweet impressions”, 52 “profile visits”, 6 “mentions” 3,106 “followers”, - Instagram: 1,253 “posts and stories”, 1,181 “followers”. - LinkedIn: 464 “followers” - Responded to 51 requests for business & community information. - Responded to 28 requests for information regarding COVID-19 matters (SBA loans, etc.) - Notarized 1 document for Shelby County Businesses
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