Words by Jenny Lynn Davis | Images by Al Blanton
The Chamber of Commerce of Walker County hosted its annual breakfast meeting on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at the Jasper Civic Center, drawing hundreds of individuals from various local businesses and organizations.
The event celebrated the collective efforts driving the community’s economic growth and highlighted initiatives for continued progress.
Chamber President Linda Lewis opened the meeting by recounting the Chamber’s rich history, which dates back to the early 1920s, though its documented resurgence began in 1945 as the Jasper Area Chamber of Commerce.
“In the early 1940s, Jasper was still a small community, but growing rapidly, and saw the need for local businesses and industry to group together. Local leaders with a strong vision met and reorganized the Chamber,” Lewis shared. “In 1997, the Chamber moved to its present site in the Jasper Civic Center, the same year the name was changed from the Jasper Area Chamber of Commerce to the Chamber of Commerce of Walker County.”
Lewis emphasized the Chamber’s ongoing mission: “As it has been and will continue to be, the mission of the Chamber is organized for the purpose and advancement of the commercial, industrial, and civic interest of Walker County, and to create a quality of life for all our citizens.”
In her remarks, Lewis touched on some of the Chamber’s key programs, including Junior Ambassadors and the long-running Leadership Walker County program.
“This year, we celebrate our 30th anniversary of Leadership Walker County,” she noted, adding that over 1,000 individuals have graduated from the program and contributed to more than 200 county-wide projects.
One of those graduates, Jessica Sanders Walker of Sanders Aviation, was recognized for organizing relief efforts for those impacted by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.
“Jessica’s actions moved me, and it should move you,” said Lewis. “I challenge all of our alumni and everyone here today to take this on as a county-wide project. Let’s show our neighbors what Walker County can do.”
The breakfast also served as a platform to honor individuals whose contributions have significantly impacted the Chamber and the broader community.
Todd Thompson, the 2024 Chamber Board Chairman, was celebrated for his leadership. Jake Sanders, the 2023 Chairman, praised Thompson, stating, “Todd has worked tirelessly to foster growth, collaboration, and innovation within our business community. His passion for strengthening Walker County’s economic and social fabric has been evident in every initiative he has spearheaded.”
Greg Williams, named the 2024 Chamber Volunteer of the Year, was also recognized for his dedication. “Greg is always ready and willing to take those 4 a.m. fishing tournament shifts and attend ribbon cuttings,” said 2023 Volunteer of the Year, Maria Ross Campsey. “He humbly serves with the true spirit of service.”
The event’s keynote speaker, Mark Colson, President and CEO of the Alabama Trucking Association, took the stage to deliver a passionate address on the trucking industry’s critical role in Alabama’s economy and the opportunities and challenges the industry faces.
Colson emphasized the importance of trucking in everyday life, noting that 86% of all goods in Alabama are delivered by truck, by over 34,000 trucking companies that employ more than 125,000 Alabamians.
Colson then pivoted to a message of building and maintaining a positive company culture. “Culture is powerful. People think the most powerful thing about setting a culture is attracting what you want, and it does do that. But the most powerful thing it does is detract what you don’t want,” he explained. “We need high-quality people getting high-quality coaching going to work for high-quality companies or starting high-quality companies themselves.”
He challenged the business leaders present to take ownership of their role in shaping the cultural landscape of Walker County.
“When I think about whose job it is to be these culture setters, it’s not just Linda Lewis, Matt Woods, Tommy Tuberville, Katie Britt, or anyone else out there in the public domain. It’s your job as business owners, leaders, and public servants. The challenge I issue to all of you as we go out in the world is to go be that powerful force here in Walker County.” WL