From staff reports

Kirk Mancer, president of the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, received the Jamie Wallace Award during the annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama in early December.

A press release from the group indicated the award is presented to Chamber professionals who have displayed outstanding attributes in their daily vocation, and the award is not presented every year, but only in those years during which an individual meets the award’s criteria.

“Kirk Mancer has worked tirelessly to advance the mission of CCAA by building a better Alabama though strong chambers of commerce,” said Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama president and CEO, Jeremy Arthur. “Kirk’s selection as this year’s Jamie Wallace Award recipient is very fitting and serves as a tribute to the excellent work he continues to accomplish through his career. Kirk is a true chamber of commerce professional and is very deserving of CCAA’s highest recognition.”

Mancer has led the Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce since July of this year after having served for the previous eight years at the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce, and 12 years at the former Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce. Mancer is also a past chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama.

“It was truly a surprise to receive such a prestigious honor and I am honored to accept the Jamie Wallace Award,” Mancer said. “I am grateful and thankful for the opportunity to serve as a chamber of commerce professional, especially in the great state of Alabama. As a past chair of CCAA, I remain committed to the excellence demonstrated by our organizational and in our profession.”

David Nolen is board chairman for the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and is vice president and a commercial loan officer for M&F Bank. He said Mancer’s award reinforces the decision of the chamber’s board to hire him to lead the Greater Shelby County Chamber.

“When I first was informed about it from the director of the state chamber, I was really excited for Kirk, for his recognition. It speaks well of him and his involvement in the state chamber association and what he’s been able to do in his career in the state chamber, with the Birmingham chamber and Cullman chamber and in working with us here in Shelby County.

“I was also excited for our chamber because we feel like it reinforces for us that we made a good choice in our decision to hire Kirk, and it reinforces the idea of the potential of what Kirk brings to the table in leading our Chamber board,” Nolen said.