South Shelby, Greater Shelby establish partnership during leadership transition

Published 5:52 pm Monday, February 5, 2018

As of Monday, Feb. 5, the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce, based in Columbiana, entered into a fee service agreement to partner with the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, based in Pelham, while the South Shelby Chamber is in the process of transitioning leadership.

The decision came after former South Shelby Chamber Executive Director April Stone recently stepped down from the position to lead the Hoover Chamber of Commerce.

The agreement designated Greater Shelby Chamber Community and Career Development Director and Columbiana native Keyla Handley as the Acting Director of the South Shelby Chamber.

“With more than five years of experience at the organization, Keyla will also have the resources and support of her colleagues at the Greater Shelby Chamber throughout her work with our Chamber,” read an announcement from the South Shelby Chamber Chair Jacqueline Gardner.

Over the past two years, the South Shelby Chamber and the Greater Shelby Chamber have collaborated on many meetings and events, including the 2017 Gold Tournament, the “Keeping It Real” and “Career Awareness Fair” programs in local schools, Eggs and Issues breakfasts and SpeedNetworking meetings.

The announcement stated that members of the South Shelby Chamber are excited to enter another partnership with the Greater Shelby Chamber and confident in Handley’s abilities as Acting Director.

“We are excited about this opportunity to work with our sister Chamber to ensure that the work of the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce continues as we discuss long and short-term plans during this transition period,” the statement read. “Please welcome Keyla and our friends from the Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce at our upcoming events.”

Handley and other Greater Shelby Chamber representatives will be present at future South Shelby Chamber events, including Coffee with the Mayor of Vincent on Feb. 15, the monthly luncheon on March 1 and the silent auction of March 8.