Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce issued the following announcement on Aug 10.
On Monday, the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama (CCAA) named Crystal Brown, vice president of development for the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber Professional of the Year – recognizing her exemplary performance, leadership of an Alabama chamber, and her professional career achievements. The award was presented at the CCAA Summer Conference held in Point Clear, Ala., and is the first time the award was given to someone who is not a Chamber president, CEO or executive director.
“This honor makes clear Crystal’s deep commitment to our community, her motivation to move our area forward and her drive to serve our business community,” said John Seymour, president and CEO of the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber. “Our organization and this region are better because of her servant leadership and willingness to give back to our area. She is a professional at the highest level, and those around her are better for it.”
Brown joined the Chamber staff in 2012. She was previously employed by The Decatur Daily for 18 years. In her position as advertising director, Brown’s responsibilities included developing and leading a staff of 22 sales and support media consultants, as well as customizing marketing programs, launching and implementing new print and internet business development programs for retail and classified advertisers. She also served as chairwoman of the board of directors for the Chamber in 2003-2004. Her current responsibilities include the retention and expansion of existing businesses, recruitment of new businesses and commercial investment, coordinating business training/networking opportunities, serving as a direct liaison with Chamber investors and directing the Chamber's efforts to attract new residents to our community. As a volunteer, she currently serves as a trustee for the Alabama Community College System and Athens State University, vice-chair of financial affairs for CCAA, and as the chair of Leadership Alabama’s Decatur Regional Council. She has actively served on boards for the American Heart Association, the Volunteer Center of Morgan County, Parents and Children Together, and the Community Free Clinic of Decatur-Morgan County. Brown was the recipient of the 2017 international ATHENA Leadership Award. She is a graduate of the University of Alabama and lives with her family in Decatur.
Decatur native Jeremy Arthur, president and CEO of the CCAA, said Brown is a devoted chamber professional. “Crystal’s nomination alone is a true testament that highlights why the panel of judges selected her as this year’s recipient. Her service to her local chamber, and our state organization, is proof that she is among the best of the best.”
Criteria that were evaluated included experience, training and education, service to CCAA and other professional organizations, service to chamber colleagues, ethical conduct in dealing with others, a highly developed sense of professionalism, leadership, and an abiding desire to advance the profession of chamber management. Non-professional criteria evaluated included non-chamber related community participation, civic participation, and religious, charitable and educational related activities. An out-of-state panel of chamber executives served as the review panel and award-selection committee.
Since its beginning in 1937 as the Alabama Association of Commercial Organizations, what is now known as the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama has remained dedicated to advancing the goal that chambers of commerce are the premier local business advocate in the State of Alabama. In conjunction with the Business Council of Alabama, a non-partisan organization, the two groups through the BCA/CCAA Partnership, represent the interests and concerns of more than one million working Alabamians every day.
Original source can be found here.
Source: Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce
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