Chamber Leadership Programs Kick Off 2025 with Hands-On Learning
Excellence in Leadership – the Chamber’s flagship leader development program for professionals – met in January for Creating Opportunity Day. The day kicked off with a tour of GE Appliances, a Haier company, the largest single-site employer in Morgan County producing over a million refrigerators each year. At the Decatur-Morgan County Entrepreneurial Center, they heard from Jeremy Nails with the Morgan County Economic Development Association, watched the film TVA Town about Decatur’s industrial roots and played an engaging economic development game. After lunch, they learned about the Best & Brightest program and toured the E-Center to find out more about its economic impact. The day wrapped up with discussions about their upcoming community project and overnight trip to Montgomery in March.
Excellence in Leadership met on February 27 for Decatur Now & Then Day after snow caused a postponement from the original date. They began at DoubleTree by Hilton, where the group attended the 2025 State of Morgan County event. After hearing from Chairman Ray Long and the Morgan County Commissioners, the class boarded a school bus with Suzanne Langdon of Decatur Parks & Rec for a tour of downtown, Old Decatur and the Historic Train Depot. The tour concluded with a stop at the Morgan County Archives, where John Allison provided insight into the records they store, details about new displays and research opportunities.
In March, Excellence in Leadership and Edge Student Leadership programs had a great time on our 2025 Montgomery Public Policy Trip on March 18 - 19. The two-day visit began with tours at the Alabama Department of Archives and History and the Alabama State Capitol. Attendees then observed the Alabama Legislature in session at the Statehouse before meeting with our local delegation to discuss legislative priorities and key issues affecting our community. Day two started with breakfast at the Farmers Market Cafe, where Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate shared insights on food safety and his “Thank a Farmer” initiative. Our Edge Student Leadership class joined the group for tours of the National Memorial for Peace and Justice and The Legacy Museum. Over lunch, the delegation heard from Clay Scofield with the Business Council of Alabama (BCA) about the state’s economic outlook and business climate. The trip concluded with a photo on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol with Governor Kay Ivey. Excellence in Leadership is presented by Nucor Steel Decatur and gold sponsors are the City of Decatur, Durbin Leadership, LLC and Shawn D. Garth, Realtor.
To kick off the new year, the Chamber's Edge Student Leadership class – comprised of 35 sophomores and juniors from across Morgan County – met in January to learn about economic development in Decatur-Morgan County. The students had a fantastic time learning about economic development here in Decatur-Morgan County. The day began with Jeremy Nails from the Morgan County Economic Development Association explaining the important role the organization plays in recruiting industry to our area. Next, the group visited United Launch Alliance in Decatur to learn about the company's contributions to space transportation and its significant impact on the local economy. After a delicious lunch from Joe Wheeler EMC, students explored the vital role utilities play in our economy. The day wrapped up with Andrew Calvert from Redstone Federal Credit Union showing the students the value of budgeting and saving money through a fun and interactive game of LIFE.
In February, the class gathered for Decatur Now and Then Day. Morgan County Commission Chairman Ray Long and Mayor Tab Bowling started the day by speaking to the group about each of their roles in local government. Following this, they enjoyed a bus tour of Old Decatur, led by Suzanne Langdon, as well as a tour of the Alabama Center for the Arts, guided by Jennifer Bunnell.
For lunch, the students attended a valuable etiquette lesson hosted by Laura Ritch at the DoubleTree. The day concluded with a “Social Media and Interview 101” session led by Emily Collins of Horizon Point Consulting.
Additionally, many of the Edge students participated in the Durbin Student Leadership Conference on Tuesday, February 25th. They volunteered before and after the event to assist with set-up, greeting attendees, distributing t-shirts, organizing snacks and helping to clean up. Denice Marco also participated as a table leader and shared that these students were the first to volunteer to answer questions, stayed engaged in the discussions and enthusiastically promoted the Edge Student Leadership program to their peers. Thank you to presenting sponsor Nucor Steel Decatur, LLC and gold sponsors Hubbard & Drake General - Mechanical Contractors, Inc, Joe Wheeler EMC and the Morgan County Commission.
The Chamber's Equip Student Leadership program kicked off the 2025 spring semester in February at the Cook Museum of Natural Science. Twenty-three 8th graders from schools across Morgan County learned skills to help prepare them for a successful future. Jillian Massey with Horizon Point Consulting, Inc. led a session on employability skills which included completing job applications and mock interviews. After lunch, Jennifer Bowling from Redstone Federal Credit Union guided them through the Game of Life, teaching smart budgeting and financial decision-making.
In February the Equip Student Leadership class toured Hubbard & Drake General – Mechanical Contractors' fabrication shop in Decatur, where students learned how materials are received, processed and shipped to customers. Next, they explored the Decatur Utilities Water Treatment Plant and traced the journey of water from the Tennessee River to their home faucets. This was a fantastic opportunity for students to learn about career paths and gain a deeper understanding of the important work happening right here in our community!
In March, the class met for Industry Day. The day started with a tour of United Launch Alliance (ULA), where students learned about the Atlas, Vulcan and Centaur rockets. They had the chance to see the detailed process each rocket undergoes before being shipped out and eventually launched into space. After lunch, Brian Jackson with 3M spoke to the group about the products and processes at 3M’s Decatur plant and the many career opportunities available. Students discovered that many of the products they use every day are made right here in our community. Thank you to our presenting sponsor Nucor Steel Decatur and gold sponsor 3M.