HOOVER – The Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce’s past, present and future were celebrated on Thursday, Jan. 18.

Bill Powell, the chamber’s executive director for the past 23 years, was honored at the same monthly luncheon that the President’s Awards were announced and the 2018 Board of Directors was recognized.

The President’s Awards were first on the agenda.

Benjamin Yim of OmniWon Agency was named Ambassador of the Quarter, Jay Clyce of Weber Mortgage was named Ambassador of the Year, Terry Shea of Wrapsody was named Board Member of the Year and Lynn Ray of Business Telephones Inc. was named Member of the Year.

Then the 2018 Board of Directors was introduced and installed by John Greene, president pro-tem of the Hoover City Council.

“We know for any organization to be successful, it must have good leaders,” Greene said.

Board officers include Jerome Morgan Jr. of Oncort Professional Services, president; Terry Turner of Gentle, Turner and Sexton, first vice president; Paul Dangel of Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel, second vice president; Jason Cobb of America’s First Federal Credit Union, past president; Adam West of Warren Averett CPAs and Advisors, treasurer; Kathleen Spencer of Hyatt Place Hotel Inverness, secretary; April DeLuca of Magic City Law, legal counsel; and Lori Salter-Schommer of the Hoover Mayor’s Office, city liaison.

The 2018 Board includes Ira Levine of Levine and Associates, Tynette Lynch of Aldridge Gardens, Joel Smith of Hendrick Hoover Auto Mall, Paul Huckeba of CB&S Bank, Jeff McDowell of McDowell Security Systems, Lynn Ray of Business Telephones Inc., Matthew Allen of Starnes Media, Alison Howell of Alabama Power Company and Mike White of Riverchase Galleria.

Before the board members returned to their seats, Morgan announced several honors for Powell, who is retiring, calling him “the leader, the backbone, the face of our chamber.”

During Powell’s time as director, the chamber has grown from 300 to about 1,200 members, held 240 luncheons (of which Powell has missed only three), held more than 1,000 ribbon cuttings and raised about $450,000 through a golf tournament fundraiser, among other accomplishments, Morgan said.

Morgan presented Powell a plaque recognizing his efforts and announced that an annual scholarship will be named for Powell and his wife.

“This job is the most meaningful and enjoyable job I could ever imagine,” Powell said.