FROM STAFF REPORTS

PELHAM— The Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce hired two new staff members, according to a Nov. 24 press release.

Kelly Anderson will serve as the new manager of workforce development. The 2009 graduate of Troy University majored in psychology with a minor in health science.

In her role with the chamber, Anderson will be coordinating education and workforce development programming with the education work group through: “Keeping It Real” for ninth grade students, the “Career Awareness Fair” for 10th grade students, a new soft skills program for 11th grade students, the “Student and Educator of the Year” luncheon and “Golf Fore! Education Tournament.”

Payton Thomas is the chamber’s new manager of business development and support. He will be the main staff person coordinating the programs associated with small business and existing business and industry work groups.

Those groups include the Annual Small Business Celebration, the annual Industry Appreciation Reception, quarterly Industry Tours, business retention visits, the Green Business program, the Entrepreneurial Roundtable and more.

Thomas graduated from Shelby County High School, attended Jefferson State Community College and is working towards a Bachelor of Science degree in business and finance.

“We’re pleased to have both Kelly and Payton join our professional staff team, and look forward to the enthusiasm and effort they will bring to the Chamber’s program of work,” said Chamber President and CEO Kirk Mancer.