Jamie Hardy, 2009 board chairman, cautioned investors that it would take a lot of hard work to make the coming year as good as the past one, especially with the faltering economy.

“We as a Chamber do understand what the predictions are for the next year and where the economy is headed as far as the predictions go,” Hardy said. “That’s just going to make the Chamber and its staff and its board of directors work that much harder for you because we understand that it's more important now than ever.”

Attendees at the dinner had a chance to vote on a number of centerpieces created by local companies. RBC Bank’s entry took first prize and the local branch won an advertising package from the Chamber.

Chamber members leaving the Board of Directors were honored. According to the Chamber Web site, they are: Dennis Stastka of Stastka Insurance, Joe Allen of RBC Bank, Greg Gipson of Baldwin EMC, Donna Gates of Woerner Group Resources, Inc., Wanda Taylor of Castlebrook Counseling and Ruthie Campbell of Cruise Away.

New members of the 2009 Board of Directors include: Alan Schott of Baldwin EMC, Anita Waters of Capella Salon, Jared Lyles of Lyles Law Firm, Jennifer Cook of RBC Bank, Tina Byrd of Pawsitive Cuts and Tommy Herndon Golden Living Center.

Remaining Board members include: 2009 Chairman Jamie Hardy Neuschwander, Faireloth & Hardy, 2009 Past Chair Peggy Nelson of Regions Bank, 2009 Chair Elect Joseph Shaw of Shaw Law Firm, Barbara Boller of Focus Public Relations, Michelle Bodle of The Insurance Center, Sean McClay of Edwards Jones Investments, Linda Buck of Bryant Bank, Chris Bonner of Riviera Utilities, Eiie Mosley of Hemophilia Infusion Managers, Mike Kelso of Bestsouth, LLC, Lenora Kendrick of Gruenloh & Associates and Theresa Bryant of Robertsdale of High School.

Board members representing municipalities include: Katina Griffin with the City of Robertsdale, Beryl Allen with the Town of Loxley and Mary delaunay with the Town of Silverhill. The Town of Summerdale has not named a representative as of this writing.

The Chamber also unveiled a new logo and tag line, “connecting business with community.” The new logo, created by Diane Middleton-Vogel of Loxley’s Graphic Penguin design company features cool blues and greens. “We’re going to be seeing a lot of that logo,” predicted Mason.

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