Chamber Announces 2026-2027 Excellence in Leadership Class
Excellence in Leadership, the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce’s adult leadership development program, kicked off this year’s class on August 25 at The Magnolia Room in Decatur. The class consists of 36 professionals from businesses, industries, healthcare providers, municipalities, colleges and non-profit organizations. Chamber members nominate individuals from their own workforce to participate in the program.
The Excellence in Leadership program was established more than 30 years ago to identify, educate, develop and network existing and emerging leaders with the goal of enhancing growth in the area business community.
The class will meet once a month, with day-long sessions focusing on single topics including healthcare, economic development, education, tourism, city and county government, state government, law enforcement and social services. The class also includes a community service project, where members select an area non-profit to support. The program will wrap up with a graduation event in May 2027.
More than 1,300 professionals have graduated from the program. The presenting sponsor of Excellence in Leadership is Nucor Steel Decatur.
The 2026-2027 class members, and their employers are:
(from left to right in photo)
Tiffany Bain, Calhoun Community College
Anthony Bellman, The Wright Bunch Team brokered by MeritHouse Realty
Clayton Bodley, Bodley Land Solutions
Michael Bolden, NARCOG
Chad Bowman, City of Decatur (Not in photo)
Kesha Cohn, Redstone Federal Credit Union
Katie England, Morgan County Schools Foundation
Lillie Farmer, City of Decatur
Seth Gebhart, Land Innovations
Jamie Glover, Calhoun Community College
Fodina Henderson, ACCS Innovation Center
Shawn Hicks, Pinnacle Financial Partners
Candis Hill Young, Renasant Bank
Lucas Johnston, Hubbard & Drake General Mechanical Contractors
Adrianna Jones, DoubleTree by Hilton Decatur Riverfront
Johnny Jones, City of Decatur
Will Jones, Parker Jones Real Estate
Will Kendall, Regions Bank
Daxton Maze, Maze Custom Homes
Nick Newton, Morgan Stanley
Cailey Owens, The Wright Bunch Team brokered by MeritHouse Realty
Marie Palmer, Hospice of the Valley
Tucker Peete, Decatur Morgan County Entrepreneurial Center
Jordan Price, Lighthouse Services
Tori Ray, CAPNA
Miranda Runion, TTL
Jonathan Sherrill, CB&S Bank
Cindy Sims, Alabama Credit Union
Collis Sims, Calhoun Community College
Wilson Smith, Riverside Senior Living
Adiam Vernon, Decatur Housing Authority
Jodee Vick, Decatur Utilities
Carter Watkins, City of Decatur, Mayor's Office
McKinna Willingham, Captures By Kinna
Matt Wisner, United Community Bank
Susan Wrenn, Morgan County Commission (Not in photo)