Chamber Kicks Off 2025–2026 Leadership Development Programs
The Excellence in Leadership program, the flagship of the Chamber’s Leadership series, is designed to identify, orient, develop and network both existing and emerging leaders with the goal of enhancing positive growth in the business community. The 2025-2026 class includes 35 professionals from across Morgan County who will meet monthly to focus on specific leadership topics. The class kicked off in August at The Magnolia Room in Decatur with fun “getting to know you” exercises and gained expert insights from Tricia Collins with Eagle Center for Leadership, who guided them through the Make A Difference personality profile.
Edge Student Leadership, aimed at 10th and 11th graders across Morgan County, was created to expose students to leadership opportunities in a creative and challenging environment while also equipping them with the tools necessary to develop individual leadership skills. The program encourages students to positively influence their schools and serve in their community. In August, the group of 35 sophomores and juniors kicked off the year at at The Magnolia Room with a welcome from several program leaders, including Edge Program Facilitator Carol Beth Durbin with Durbin Leadership, LLC. After a program overview, parents were dismissed, and students shared dinner before a scavenger hunt in downtown Decatur to build teamwork and connection.
In September, the Edge Student Leadership class joined the Excellence in Leadership class for a Poverty Simulation at Calhoun Community College. Participants navigated tough real-life scenarios, making decisions about healthcare, childcare, education, and housing. This hands-on experience highlighted the difficult choices many families face daily. After lunch, local artist and historian Frances Tate shared updates on the Decatur Scottsboro Boys Civil Rights Museum, a CEOTA-led project preserving two historic homes connected to the Scottsboro Boys trials. The day wrapped up with both groups sewing hygiene bags for the Neighborhood Christian Center.
The Excellence in Leadership program is presented by Nucor Steel Decatur with gold sponsors the City of Decatur, Durbin Leadership, LLC and Shawn D. Garth, Realtor.
The Edge Student Leadership program is presented by Nucor Steel Decatur with gold sponsors Hubbard & Drake General-Mechanical Contractors Inc., Joe Wheeler Electric Membership Corporation and the Morgan County Commission.
Equip, a leadership program for 8th grade students from across Morgan
County, exposes students to post-high school opportunities in skilled trades and career opportunities in our community. The program, divided into fall and spring sessions, features approximately 25 students per session.
In September, 21 students spent the day at the Cook Museum of Natural Science, where they focused on learning career and financial skills. Taylor Simmons with Horizon Point Consulting, Inc. led a session on employability skills, including completing job applications and practicing mock interviews. After lunch, Andrew Calvert from Redstone Federal Credit Union played the Game of Life to teach them how to budget and make smart money choices.
Thank you to our presenting sponsor Nucor Steel Decatur and our gold sponsor 3M for helping prepare our students for college and the workforce.