The Pell City Chamber of Commerce held their Annual Stakeholder’s Meeting on Thursday, Jan. 10 to induct new board of director members and recognize the newly-elected executive board and those who have previously served.

Chris Christian with Realty South is the incoming President of the Pell City Chamber of Commerce. Christian presented the strategic plan for the upcoming year, which includes increasing membership, promoting Pell City and Logan Martin Lake with the #myloganmartin campaign, implementing an extensive community calendar, and working with businesses through workshops, after hours and networking events, and ambassador programs. Ongoing events like the block party and the Christmas parade will still be an intregal part of the Chamber program.

“I’m a transplant,” said Christian. “I moved here in 2012. I fell in love with it. It was everything I ever wanted and I didn’t know that I wanted.”

The newly appointed executive board includes Chris Christian as president, Greg Weber as president-elect, Kelly Ferguson as vice president, and Ashley St. John maintaining her role as treasurer.

New elected board of director members are Caran Wilbanks, Emily Norris, Meighan McMillian-Posey, and Denise Olivastri.

“I’m so proud and excited for the energy you’ll bring to the Chamber,” said past president Brandon Turner. “We couldn’t have done half of what we’ve done without the wonderful board members. My motto was ‘Do only what you can do, don’t do everything.’ Everyone communicated and worked together very well.”

Caran Wilbanks, a Pell City native, is currently with ERA King where she has been Realtor of the Year twice, the Jack E. King Teammate of the Year award and the Shooting Star Aware.

She began her real estate career in 1986 and enjoys helping clients learn more about Pell City and the surrounding areas. Wilbanks has served on the Board of Directors for St. Clair Association of Realtors for 15 years, President of the Association twice, President of the Pell City Chamber of Commerce twice and is a Rotary Club member.  She works as a volunteer for the St. Clair and Lincoln food pantry. She has also completed the Chamber of Commerce leadership program for Pell City and St Clair County Leadership program.

Emily Norris has more than 18 years of banking experience and currently serves as Assistant Vice President/Lender at Union State Bank.

“I am a Pell City native where my husband and I have chosen to stay and live in the community we love, while raising our two children,” said Norris.  “I enjoy volunteering with our church family, Fellowship Church, which we, along with 23 others, planted 5 years ago.  I also recently joined The Heart of Pell City Downtown Revitalization group, which I am excited to be able to take part in helping our town become a dynamic place to work, visit and live.”

Meighan McMillian-Posey was a hometown Pell City beauty queen who showed her love of helping others with a career in the healthcare industry and later as a paralegal. Most recently, Posey and her husband opened MJ Miniature Glow Golf & Skate in Pell City.

“We saw a need for more entertainment options in the Pell City area and sought for ways to help fill this void,” Posey said.

Denise Olivastri brings almost 30 years of leadership experience to the Pell City Chamber Board of Directors. She was an Associate Store Manager with Sears Canada, Inc. She retired in April 2011 and relocated to Alabama with her husband. She is presently a Sales Leader with Avon Products and has recruited over 100 Avon representatives in 25 cities across Alabama in just over eight months. 

Olivastri volunteers monthly with the Good Works Foundation, volunteered with the first Habitat for Humanity home build in Pell City, is a founding member of Pell City Third Thursday Action Committee, and participates in the Light the Night Walk in Birmingham. She also enjoys golf, tennis, bowling, exercising, boating, reading, and writing poetry. 

“It’s going to take everyone working together,” said Chamber President Chris Christian. “We will focus on growth and what we can do for our community.”

For more information about the Pell City Chamber of Commerce, visit pellcitychamber.com.