Mission Statement

To partner with community stakeholders to support stability and foster economic vitality throughout Shelby County.


Vision Statement

To be a champion for Shelby County as the premier place to live and do business.


Core Values & Belief

We base our values on the belief that…

  • Serving our investors´ needs is the primary reason for the existence of the Chamber.
  • Volunteers are a key resource through which we accomplish our objectives.
  • Trust, open communication, integrity, personal accountability and initiative are critical to our organization’s success.
  • The free market economy is the primary means to achieve a prosperous and well-balanced community.
  • Governments and publicly funded entities must be accountable, responsible, effective and efficient.
  • Business has an obligation to act in an environmentally responsible manner and to support necessary social, cultural, health and educational systems.

Goals

We put our values & beliefs into action by working on…

  • Fostering and supporting private enterprise, economic vitality and stability.
  • Providing a forum for idea exchange.
  • Advocating for business with government.
  • Developing and increasing the investor base.
  • Financial responsibility.
  • Creating a climate conducive to developing individual volunteers through participation and interaction.
  • Communicating effectively with members and solicit their opinions and feedback.
  • Providing challenging and stimulating employment that is productive and personally rewarding for staff.
  • Creating an enthusiastic working partnership between staff and investors/ volunteers built on trust and mutual respect.

2023 OFFICERS & BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Officers (Executive Committee)

Chamber Chair

April Harry

Warren, Averett, LLC

Chair-Elect

Kevin Morris

AmFirst


Vice Chair, Business Development & Support

Rux Bentley

Rux Carter Insurance

Vice Chair, Communications & Marketing

Jeff Purvis

A.C. Legg, Inc.


Vice Chair, Community & Career Development

Amiee Mellon

University of Montevallo

Vice Chair, Finance & Administration

John Collier

United Community Bank


Vice Chair, Governmental Affairs

Melissa Dixon

CDI Janitorial Services

Vice Chair, Investor Relations

Keith Brown

Jefferson State Community College


Immediate Past Chair

Mechelle Wilder, JD

ARC Realty


Directors

Josh Coker

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama

Alec Etheredge

Shelby County Newspapers, Inc.


Julie Godfrey

Shelby County Schools

Benji Sawyer

Sawyer Solutions, LLC


Scott Gossett

Spire Alabama

Wade Kallaher

Birmingham Coca Cola Bottling Company


Traci Fox

T Fox SalonSpa

Kimberly L. Jackson

Alabama Power Company


William Norwood Brian L. Wilson

PNC EBSCO Industries, Inc.

Chad Scroggins

Shelby County

Teresa Vick

Regions

Holly Dean

Shelby Baptist Medical Center

Meribeth Gilbert

McLeod Software


Bruce Gouin

Express Employment Professionals

Nedra Moore

Creations Galore and Moore


Chris Stricklin

Dunn Companies

Tampia Anderson

The Arc of Shelby County


Keith Strickland

Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood

Terri Williams

A T & T – Alabama


Ken Delgreco

Urban Home Market

Micah McLaughlin

Irons Media Group


Chris Wilder

Sealing Equipment Products Company

Amy Sturdivant (Ex-Officio)

58, INC


The Hon. Brian Puckett (Ex-Officio, SCMA)

City of Helena


STAFF

Manager, Community & Career Development:

Manager, Workforce Development

Vice President, Investor Relations:

Communications & Marketing:

Vacant

President & CEO:

General Information Email:

The Shelby County Chamber is located in the County Services Building, Pelham, AL. Call before you visit and we can arrange to have any information request ready for you. On occasion, there are events that require the attendance of the entire staff to manage so be sure to give us a call ahead of time!

AMBASSADORS
HISTORY

November 1978

The first meeting of the Alabaster Chamber of Commerce.

June 1980

Incorporation of the Pelham Area Chamber of Commerce.

Mary Sue McClurkin served as Executive Representative from 1980-1984.

The City of Pelham provided the Chamber with office space in the attic of City Hall.

1984

Gail Bailey served as Director of the Pelham Area Chamber from 1984-1990.

1984

Montevallo Chamber of Commerce incorporated.

September 1988

CSX Transportation donates Train Depot to the Pelham Area Chamber.  The City of Pelham moves the building to city property and renovates the Depot, which becomes the new home of the Chamber.

1990

Tammy Raymard served as Director of the Pelham Area Chamber from 1990-1991.

1991

Pelham Area Chamber and Alabaster Chamber of Commerce merge;

the North Shelby Chamber of Commerce is incorporated to represent the tri-communities of Alabaster, Helena, and Pelham.

1992

Karen Ream begins her role as Executive Director for the North Shelby Chamber.  She served in this role

through 2006.

October 1993

South Shelby Chamber of Commerce incorporated.

February 1994

Calera Chamber of Commerce filed for 501 (c) 6 status.

May 1999

North Shelby Chamber’s Board of Directors voted to change its name to Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce to encompass a more county-wide representation.

February 2000

Incorporation of the Greater Shelby County Community Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 public charity, for the purpose of earmarked funding for education & workforce development initiatives.

May 2002

GSCC announces The Partnership, a 5-year collaborative business-driven initiative.

The Partnership – Phase 1: 2003-2007

The Partnership – Phase 2: 2008-2012

July 2005

The Greater Shelby Chamber leases office space from the County and begins operations at the Shelby County Services Building in Pelham.

December 2006

Jennifer Trammell was hired as Chamber President.  She served in this role through January 2012.

Fall, 2011

50+ Business and Community Leaders interviewed by First Community Development on questions pertaining to “where we want Shelby County to be in five years?” These conversations were the basis for the four new program areas – Business Support & Development, Community Development, Governmental Relations, and Marketing & Communications.

February 2012

Paul Rogers and David Wilson accept roles as Campaign Co-Chairs for the ShelbyOne initiative.

July 2012

Kirk Mancer was hired as President & CEO of the GSCC.

Summer 2012

GSCC announces ShelbyOne, a 5-year collaborative business-driven initiative, with a Campaign goal of $1.7 million. ShelbyOne – Phase 1: 2012-2017

February 2013

GSCC announces it exceeded its $1.7 million ShelbyOne Campaign goal by raising $1,913,600.

October 2014

GSCC announces collaborative partnership with the Calera Chamber of Commerce.

July 2015

GSCC announces collaborative partnership with the Montevallo Chamber of Commerce.

November 2015

Shelby County approaches GSCC and Shelby County Economic & Industrial Development Authority (SCEIDA) to develop and implement a collective economic development effort for the purpose of recruiting new jobs to Shelby County.

The task force made up of Volunteer leadership from GSCC and SCEIDA was formed to undertake discussions.

December 2015

GSCC announces collaborative partnership with the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce.

July 2016

 Calera Chamber of Commerce suspends operations.

August 2016

 GSCC named one of seven chambers of commerce to achieve the Accredited Alabama Chamber of Commerce distinction (AACC). Joining the Greater Shelby County Chamber in receiving this inaugural accreditation were the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber, Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, Lake Guntersville Chamber of Commerce, Opelika Chamber of Commerce, Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce, and the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama.

November 2016

Volunteer leadership and executives from GSCC, Montevallo, and South Shelby Chambers begin expanded collaborative discussions.

December 2016 / January 2017

GSCC Volunteer leadership engages Funding Solutions for phase two of ShelbyOne.

February 2017

Announcement of the formation of a new economic development entity Shelby County with the goal of bringing more jobs to the county by bringing new employers to the area and helping existing businesses grow.

This economic development partnership is a result of efforts between Shelby County and the GSCC. The purpose of the entity is to recruit, retain and develop commercial, retail and industrial businesses.

February – March 2017

60+ Business and Community Leaders interviewed by the Funding Solutions team.

May 2017

Funding Solutions team presents “Leadership Consensus Building Report” to Chamber’s Board of Directors and business and community leaders.

Recommendations on a potential campaign are presented to launch a $1.75 million five-year campaign to fund the Chamber’s “Next Level Up” role in delivering new county-wide economic development programs and initiatives.

June 2017

Mike Thompson and Alex Dudchock accept roles as Campaign Co-Chairs for ShelbyOne – Next Level Up! initiatives.

August 2017

GSCC announces ShelbyOne – Next Level Up! goal of $1.75 to fund a five-year path that builds on the foundation of growing our existing companies while embracing change and expanding our business economy by:

– Increasing quality job growth throughout Shelby County by helping our existing businesses compete in an ever-changing marketplace, and to grow and thrive here.

– Establishing a business-driven workforce readiness approach via a partnership between businesses, the community, our schools, and our training providers to ensure Shelby County companies can recruit and retain the employees and managers they need.

– Operating as a full public-private growth partner with 58 INC, the new countywide economic development organization was established to recruit a smart mix of retail, commercial, and targeted industrial firms.

– Serving as the leading voice for our Shelby County business community at all levels of government in order to sustain and enhance a pro-business climate.

September 2017

Volunteer leadership (Current Chair, Immediate Past Chair, and Chair-elect) and executives from GSCC and SSCC undertake expanded collaborative discussions.

November 2017

Yvonne Murray was hired as Managing Director and Melody Whitten was hired as Development Director for 58 INC., the Chamber’s new collaborative economic development partner.

GSCC announces it exceeded its $1.75 million ShelbyOne – Next Level Up! Campaign goal by raising $2,106,670.

January 2018

Next Level Up! funding reaches $2,247,170 (128% of goal) from 70 investors to date. Ad Hoc Committee chaired by Paul Rogers, NobleBank & Trust and made up of representatives from both

Boards of Directors from the GSCC and SSCC is formed. The purpose of the Ad Hoc Committee is to explore the possibility of more closely aligning the two organizations due to the similarities and overlap in purpose and membership.

February 2018

Following the resignation of their Executive Director, the SSCC Board of Directors contracts with the GSCC to provide staffing support for their operations and events.  GSCC staffers Melanie Goodwin and Keyla Handley oversee day-to-day operations of the SSCC.

November 2018

Ad Hoc Committee reports back to GSCC and SSCC Board of Directors the recommending consolidation vote to bring two groups together to form a new organization effective in 2019.

Both GSCC and SSCC Board of Directors vote unanimously to consolidate the two organizations in to one new organization

December 2018

GSCC and SSCC announce the formation of a new organization: The Shelby County Chamber effective January 2019.

January 2019

The Shelby County Chamber’s inaugural event – the January “Chamber Connections Luncheon” – is held in Columbiana.