By PHOEBE DONALD ROBINSON / Community Columnist

Jon Harrison is Columbiana’s new marketing director beginning March 13, replacing Helen Phillips Dean who is moving to Tennessee.

“It is with great sadness that I report I will be leaving the marketing coordinator position at the city of Columbiana,” said Dean. “My husband has taken a job in Nashville and where he leads, I follow.

“It has been my great honor and privilege to represent Columbiana. Festivals, Music on Main, museums and shops are just some of the things that I have told people. In the last two years we have seen growth in our commercial areas, beginning to see growth in our residential and the birth of the city newsletter, the Columbiana Bugler. I am very proud to have been part of all of this. It will not be easy walking away from a job that I truly love. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this wonderful city and for the support you have shown me.”

Dean’s capable shoes will be filled by equally talented Harrison, son of Ken and Carol Armstrong Harrison of Columbiana and grandson of Doyce and Ann Armstrong of Fourmile.

Oldest brother with three little sisters, Harrison graduated from Shelby County High School Class of 2010 after attending Elvin Hill Elementary and Columbiana Middle schools.

He graduated from Auburn University in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism with interest in public relations and marketing.

A member of The Plainsman staff, Auburn’s award-winning newspaper, on the staff of Wildcat TV and working with the Shelby County Reporter, Harrison has brought his experience and his hometown knowledge to the job.

“I am so excited to be home,” said Harrison. “I had some ideas that I wanted to share with Mayor Handley. In meeting with him and sharing my ideas, he told me of this job opening and I applied.

“Columbiana was the best place to grow up. We have excellent resources here, and it is a great place to raise a family. We need young people to stay and come back to Columbiana. I hope to recruit light industry and small businesses to Columbiana, improve and expand on our community events.”