Annual Meeting Marks Transition, Success in the Chamber Year
On March 23, the Chamber welcomed more than 200 members of the business community to our 2022 Annual Meeting at the DoubleTree by Hilton. The event celebrates the past year of successes in our community while looking ahead with the transition of our new Executive Committee and Board of Directors on April 1.
During the event, which was presented by Indorama Ventures, Bo Weinman of Peck - Glasgow Agency, Inc. was recognized as the Chamber's 2022 Rosie Hennessy Commodore of the Year honoree. This award is voted on by the Commodores recognizing an outstanding member of the Chamber’s ambassador corps. Weinman is currently Admiral of the Commodores and has served as a Commodore since 2015.
“Bo exemplifies true servant leadership. As a Commodore, he has invested numerous hours supporting new businesses and Chamber programs such as the Total Resource Campaign. He also serves as Vice Chair of Leadership and Networking for the Chamber’s board of directors ensuring there is a next generation of leaders for our area,” said Crystal Brown, president and CEO of the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber. “Bo is most deserving of the honor of Rosie Hennessy Commodore of the Year for his dedicated and selfless service.”
Weinman is a graduate of Auburn University and joined the Peck-Glasgow Agency in 2014 as an independent insurance advisor. He is also very active in the community serving on the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber Board of Directors and Executive Committee. He is currently board president of Hospice of the Valley Foundation.
Our next award was the Miss Athelyne C. Banks Citizen of the Year presented by Redstone Federal Credit Union. Sonny Craig was this year's honoree for his commitment and service to the community. The honor is given to a community leader who reflects the dedication, service and faithfulness to Decatur modeled in the life of Miss Banks, who devoted 42 years of her life to education.
Craig graduated from Decatur High School and received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Alabama. He then attended the Graduate School of Banking at LSU. When Sonny Craig started his first full-time job in 1970 with the former Central Bank in Decatur, he started volunteering with United Way. Over the next 52 years, the Decatur native's volunteer efforts grew.
“Sonny has been a consummate volunteer in our community for 50 plus years. In retirement, he continues to volunteer, presently serving on the Alabama Center for the Arts Foundation, present board member, past president and founding member of the River Clay Arts Festival Board and chairs the Investment Committee of St. John’s Episcopal Church,” said Trudy Grisham, a past winner of the award and who nominated Craig. “Athelyne C. Banks served on the Hospital Foundation Board with Sonny for 12 plus years. She would be proud to see him receive this honor bearing her name.”
In his community life, Craig has a long history of service to committees and organizations in Decatur. He is a former chairman of the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce. He recently retired from serving on the Morgan County Economic Development Association Board for the past 15 years. He’s a 2006 graduate of Leadership Alabama and currently serves on its Regional Council. He is a former vestry member and one of the founding members of the River City Run. Among his many awards and recognitions, Craig was the recipient of the Ira Lay Award from the United Way and the 2008 Recipient of the John Caddell Award from Decatur Morgan Hospital.
Sonny’s selfless service to our community should inspire us all to do just a little more. His many years of involvement in so many efforts to make Decatur the community of choice, even in his retirement, is appreciated and it’s a great example of what volunteer leadership looks like,” said Crystal Brown, president and CEO of the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber.
Outgoing Chairman Jeff Brown shared his thoughts on the success of the last 12 months of the Chamber, which included helping our members with employee retention and connecting them with a skilled workforce. Following the "passing of the gavel," incoming Chairman Ray Hardin looked ahead to how the Chamber's five-year strategic plan will continue to engage the business community in four specific areas: Business and Residential Development, Regional Partnerships and Community Image, Business and Industry-Driven Talent Development and Recruitment, and Business and Industry Partnerships with Education.
Thank you to our presenting sponsor Indorama Ventures, Miss Athelyne C. Banks Citizen of the Year Award sponsor Redstone Federal Credit Union and gold sponsor Calhoun Community College. We are thankful for everyone who attended, our investors and advocates in the community.