2025 Shelby County Tourism & Recreation All Star Awards
For information on Chamber work groups and how to get involved, visit shelbychamber.org or email info@ shelbychamber.org.
For the fifth year, multiple business groups in Shelby County are collaborating to recognize those entities in the tourism and recreation business sector, which excel each day in making Shelby County a more attractive destination for tourists and visitors.
Calera Main Street, Columbiana Main Street, Discover Shelby, Montevallo Chamber of Commerce, Montevallo Main Street and The Shelby County Chamber are accepting nominations for the 2025 Tourism and Recreation All Star Awards program in four categories: Lodging, Restaurant and Attractions, Recreation and “Advocate.” Completed nomination packets in all categories are due to The Shelby County Chamber by April 11 at 5 p.m.
All 2025 nominees will be recognized at the Shelby County Tourism & Recreation All Star Awards luncheon, which is scheduled for Thursday, May 8 at the Old
Mill Square Facility in Columbiana. Recipients in each of the four categories will be announced at the luncheon.
Be sure to mark your calendar for Tuesday, April 8, and join The Shelby County Chamber for a CoffeeNET event hosted by McClendon Counseling & Consulting / The Rinehart Agency from 8:30-9:30 a.m. The morning meeting is designed for investors to enjoy networking, coffee and light refreshments all before heading to the office. CoffeeNET events are a great way to make new business contacts, so bring plenty of business cards. There is no cost to attend; however, reservations are requested by noon on Monday, April 7 to assist in preparation.
Please contact The Shelby County Chamber by phone at 205-663-4542 or by email at jordan@shelbychamber.org to register.
Hosted By
With more than 70 percent of businesses in Shelby County designated as small businesses, The Shelby County Chamber and our collaborative partners will once again recognize the excellence and success of our small business community.
Any business operating in Shelby County and fitting the criteria in one of the categories based upon number of employees can be nominated.
Self-nominations are accepted. In order to qualify, the nominated business should:
- Have ownership that has not been convicted of a felony
- Prove business financial stability
- Have a current license to do business in Shelby County, or a Shelby County municipality
Nominated businesses will be evaluated for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024 only based on the crite-
ria listed below. You may write and submit as little, or as much, as you wish to provide:
- Staying Power: A substantiated history as an established business
- Growth in Number of Employees: A benchmark to judge the impact of the business on the Shelby County job market
- Increase in Sales and/or Unit Volume: An indication of continued growth
- Response to Adversity: Provide written examples of problems faced in the nominee’s business and the methods used to solve those
- Evidence of Contribution to Aid Community-Oriented Projects: Provide written examples of personal time and resources utilized
To nominate your business, please contact Kirk Mancer at kirk@shelbychamber.org for more details.
How to Develop a Coaching Culture that Drives Revenue by Getting your Team out of “React” Mode to Proactive Production
Hosted by: Kristine Sizemore, Sandler Training
- Transition from hands-on problem-solving to strategic leadership, enhancing team empowerment and reducing burnout.
- Master the art of effective coaching to foster team self-reliance and efficiency.
- Gain practical frameworks for impactful coaching conversations that are applicable in real-world scenarios.
CEO’s, sales leaders, general managers and service leaders often share their frustrations on getting their people focused proactively on goals, invested in problem-solving and owning the solution to completion. At times they see their team reacting to clients, prospects and each other. They are frustrat-
ed at the lack of results from people in “react” mode.
I’m not sure if any of these issues resonate with you or your team of leaders. However, on April 10, you and your leadership team are invited to join me from 1:30-3 p.m. for an interactive session on strategic coaching. You will leave with
a framework you can apply to uncover what matters to your direct report and guide a coaching conversation focused on facilitating and empowering them to proactive action. The results are more revenue, higher customer retention and higher employee satisfaction.
To reserve your spot for this virtual training session, please email kirk@shelbychamber.org.
Ambassador of the Month: Cindy Edmunds
Cindy is a real estate agent with ARC Realty and has been helping buyers and sellers in the Birmingham area for more than 20 years. She loves what ARC stands for: “A Relationship Company.” She feels that is what makes the difference in working with an agent from ARC Realty.
“We care for each other like a family at ARC, and we show that same care with our clients,” Cindy says.
Besides being an Ambassador for the Shelby County Chamber, she also serves on the advisory board for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Shelby County and is vice pres-
ident of the Summit Chapter of BNI.
Cindy enjoys helping people with all types of real estate transactions.
“Whether you need to upsize, down size, move across town or move across the country, I can help!”
She works with a lot of first-time home buyers, as well as people relocating to Birmingham for the first time. She feels that her listening skills,
patience and attention to detail is what makes her a great agent. Through all of her networking, she has built a strong database of connections with various trades and contractors, which is also very helpful to her clients.
Cindy has been married to her college sweetheart, Kirk, for 37 years. They have lived in North Shelby County the whole time,
Sponsored By
and they have two grown children. She loves spending time with her family and friends, going to concerts and sporting events and traveling. If you have a real estate need or question, you can contact her at 205-229-2774 or cedmunds@arcrealtyco.com.
Building a business takes a trusted partner. Hossein Eshghi, owner of HE Construction, found that at AmFirst. When Hossein ventured into construction and home remodeling, he needed reliable business checking and great rates on equipment loans. AmFirst was happy to support him. Because HE Construction is more than just a business. It’s personal.
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2025 TSCC Offi cers and Board of Directors
OFFICERS (EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE)
Chamber Chair
Kevin Morris AmFirst
Chair-Elect
Rux Bentley
Rux Carter Insurance
Vice Chair, Business Development & Support
Traci Fox
T Fox SalonSpa Aveda
Vice Chair, Communications & Marketing
Chad Scroggins
Shelby County
Vice Chair, Community & Career Development
Keith Brown
Jefferson State Community College
Vice Chair, Finance & Administration
Tampia Anderson
The Arc of Shelby County
Vice Chair, Governmental Affairs
Melissa Dixon
CDI Janitorial Services
Vice Chair, Investor Relations
Jeff Purvis
A. C. Legg, Inc.
Immediate Past Chair
April Harry Warren, Averett, LLC
(as of 1/13/25)
DIRECTORS
Holly Dean Shelby Baptist Medical Center
Meribeth Gilbert McLeod Software
Daniel Morgan Express Employment Professionals
Nedra Moore Creations Galore and Moore
Chris Stricklin Dunn Companies
Chris Wilder Sealing Equipment Products Company
Josh Coker Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama
Julie Godfrey Shelby County Schools
Scott Gossett Spire Alabama
Wade Kallaher
Birmingham Coca Cola Bottling Company
Keith Strickland Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood
Terri Williams A T & T - Alabama
Ken Coreno Central State Bank
Khiari McAlpin Knox Vinehouse Nursery
Anna Catherine Roberson Alabama Power Company
Steven Smith Specification Rubber Products
Kira Thomas University of Montevallo
Brian L. Wilson EBSCO Industries, Inc.
Laura Clarke SYNOVUS
Ken Coreno Central State Bank
Zachary Kirby Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Shelby County
Khiari McAlpin-Knox Vinehouse Nursery
John Platt Bryant Bank
Lynn Ray Business Telephones, Inc.
Kira Thomas University of Montevallo
Amy Sturdivant (ExOfficio) 58 INC
New Investors
(January 11 – February 14, 2024)
Southern Wealth Builders
VSC Fire & Security, Inc.
Cardinal Accounting
Infinity Communications Group
The Travel Escapes LLC
Transworld Business Advisors of North Central Alabama
Video Visions Media Marketing
Allcover Insurance Agency, LLC
Your Chamber at work
(January 11 - February 14, 2024)
- Responded to 165 requests for business and community information.
- Promoting Chamber investors as well as Chamber and community events through the following social media outlets:
- Chamber Facebook: 7,285 “total followers”
- X (Twitter): 2,920 “followers”
- Instagram: 1,768 (5 new) “followers” 430 “post reaches”
- LinkedIn: 1,104 (16 new) “followers,” 86 “unique visitors” and 1278 “post impressions”
- WBC Facebook: 564 “followers” (5 new)