The Board of Directors for the Decatur Morgan County Chamber of Commerce has selected current Vice President of Development Crystal Brown to serve as president and chief executive officer effective July 1. Current President and CEO John Seymour announced his retirement in May after more than 30 years of service to our community.

The Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce will host the annual Legislative Update forum, providing an opportunity for Chamber members to hear about the most recently completed legislative session and plans for the future of state government. The event will feature moderator Michelle Stark of Red Sage Communications facilitating a discussion about topics germane to the business community, including workforce and education, infrastructure, healthcare, economic development, and Covid-19 relief and recover.

On Thursday, three area professionals were honored by the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce at the annual Small Business Awards Celebration for their leadership, creativity and commitment to our business community. Kent Lawrence, founder and owner of TVW Electrical Supply in Decatur, was named the Raymon Baker - John Cook - Ralph Jones Small Business Person of the Year; Miracle Osborne, human resources manager for ITW Sexton in Decatur, was named the Arthur Orr Young Professional of the Year; and Tricia Pruitt, Decatur Area Regional Vice President for the Better Business Bureau of North Alabama, was named the Lynn C. Fowler Non-Profit Professional of the Year.

The Chamber’s annual Small Business Awards Celebration event recognizes the contributions of small business to the local and national economies and honors business leaders in our community. Approximately two of every three new jobs are created small businesses, nearly 60 million Americans work for a small business, and nearly 80 percent of the Chamber’s members fall into that category.

After 30 years of service to our community, John Seymour will be retiring as president and chief executive officer of the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce, effective July 1, 2021.