Chamber Leadership Programs Celebrate Another Successful Year
The Chamber's Excellence in Leadership class met in April for Leading the Way Day, the final session before graduation. They heard from Jim Page with LAUNCH: Tennessee Valley Regional Partnership, Kelly Thomas with Decatur Downtown Redevelopment Authority, Heath McCleskey with Durbin Leadership, LLC and Deputy Chief Eric Stisher with the Decatur Police Department. Laura Ritch shared invaluable tips on dinner and business etiquette during lunch at the DoubleTree by Hilton Decatur Riverfront. They ended the day by reflecting on their community service project, the inaugural Dec Days Festival and Top Deck Social.
The class was honored during a graduation ceremony at the Small Business Awards Celebration in May. The class raised $34,732 through the Dec Days Festival and Top Deck Social, surpassing last year's record total of $32,183.09 and setting a new fundraising record for an Excellence in Leadership class. Checks totaling $9,077.41 were presented to Brothers for Life Benefit Fund, the Community Free Clinic of Decatur-Morgan County and Meals on Wheels. In addition, each nonprofit separately received $2,500 in grant funding through WoodmenLife that the class applied for and secured.
Applications are open for the 2026–2027 Excellence in Leadership class. The deadline to apply is Friday, July 17. The application can be accessed by clicking here. 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.
In April, Edge Student Leadership, the Chamber's leadership program for 10th and 11th grade students from across Decatur-Morgan County, celebrated the graduation of its 2025–2026 class with a ceremony at the DoubleTree by Hilton Decatur Riverfront. Addison Faulk, a junior at Hartselle High School, was honored with the Mary Shaw Ozier Spirit of Leadership Award, sponsored by Horizon Point Consulting. She was chosen by her peers as the student who best reflects the leadership, commitment and spirit that defined Mary Shaw Ozier's legacy. A member of the 1999–2000 Edge class, Mary Shaw never missed a session, even while undergoing cancer treatment. The award was presented by Mary Ila Ward, founder of Horizon Point Consulting and Mary Shaw's close friend and Edge classmate. Addison received a $2,000 endowed scholarship created in Mary Shaw's memory, generously provided by her parents, Lynn and Carol Ozier. Although Addison was unable to attend the ceremony, she accepted her award at the Chamber at the end of the month. To close out the celebration, Carol Beth Durbin, co-owner of Durbin Leadership, shared words of encouragement for the future with the graduating class. We are grateful for her guidance and leadership.
This program, presented by Nucor Steel Decatur, equips students with essential leadership skills and encourages them to make a positive impact in their schools and communities. Hubbard & Drake General – Mechanical Contractors, Inc., Joe Wheeler EMC and the Morgan County Commission are gold sponsors of the program.
The Chamber's Equip Student Leadership program, which is made up of eighth-grade students from Decatur City, Hartselle and Morgan County Schools, met in April and began the day with a surprise tour of the Cook Museum of Natural Science. Students explored the interactive exhibits while learning about career opportunities in science and tourism. In the afternoon, Brian Jackson with 3M spoke to the class about the products manufactured at the company's Decatur facility and the many career opportunities available in advanced manufacturing. Students also learned that many of the products they use every day are made right here in their own community.
In May, the class wrapped up its final session with a tour of United Launch Alliance in Decatur. Students learned about the Atlas V, Delta II, Delta IV and Vulcan rockets while getting an up-close look at the processes each rocket undergoes before being shipped from the facility for launch. After lunch, Officer Cockrell with the Decatur Police Department shared an encouraging message about the importance of honesty and making good decisions as students prepare for high school. To celebrate their achievements, students received certificates of completion and, of course, a sweet treat! The goal of the five-month program is to help eighth-grade students with leadership training, career development and exposure to in-demand career opportunities. Thank you to our presenting sponsor Nucor Steel Decatur and our gold sponsors 3M and Walker Jones, Agent, Parker Real Estate.