With more than 70% of businesses in Shelby County designated as small businesses, The Shelby County Chamber and our collaborative partners will once again recognize the excellence and success of our small business community.
Any business operating in Shelby County and fitting the criteria in one of the categories based upon number of employees can be nominated.
Self-nominations are accepted. In order to qualify, the nominated business should:
u Have ownership that has not been convicted of a felony
u Prove business financial stability
u Has a current license to do business in Shelby County, or a Shelby County municipality
Nominated businesses will be evaluated for the years 2023, 2024 and 2025 only based on the criteria listed below. You may write and submit as little, or as
much, as you wish to provide:
u Staying Power: A substantiated history as an established business.
u Growth in Number of Employees A benchmark to judge the impact of the business on the Shelby County job market.
u Increase in Sales and/or Unit Volume: An indication of continued growth.
u Response to Adversity: Provide written examples of problems faced in the nominee’s business and the methods used to solve those.
u Evidence of Contribution to Aid Community-Oriented Projects: Provide written examples of personal time and resources utilized.
To nominate your business, please contact Kirk Mancer via e-mail at kirk@ shelbychamber.org for more details.
2026 SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR CATEGORIES
Five business organizations in Shelby County are once again collaborating on a joint Small Business of the Year program in five categories as part of this year’s annual Shelby County Small Business Celebration. This year’s program is co-hosted by Calera Main Street, Columbiana Main Street, Montevallo Main Street, the Montevallo Chamber of Commerce and The Shelby County Chamber. Completed nomination packets in five categories are due to The Shelby County Chamber by no later than Thursday, April 30. The five categories that will be recognized
for the 2026 Shelby County Small Business of the Year are:
u Category I (1-5 Employees; Open 1 Year or More),
u Category II (6-10 Employees; Open 1 Year or More),
u Category III (11-20 Employees; Open 1 Year or More),
u Category IV (21+ Employees; Open More Than 1 Year) and
u Category V (Open Less Than One Year as of March 31, 2026. With less Than 25 Total Employees).
Ambassador of the Month
Becca Riles is the manager of the Business Intelligence team at Abacus Technologies, where she leads a team of data professionals dedicated to helping clients optimize their businesses through data-driven solutions. Her team specializes in Consulting & Assessment, Data Visualization, Process Automation, AI Implementation and Magnify— Abacus Technologies’ Business Intelligence Platform, designed for CPAs. Before joining Abacus, Becca held multiple roles at a Fortune 500 company, including serving as a Technical SAP Trainer. She earned her undergraduate degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology and holds a Master of Business Administration and Business Analytics from Auburn University. Outside of work, Becca enjoys traveling, attending concerts and spending time with her family. She lives in Alabaster with her significant other, Brandi, and their two dogs.
The Shelby County Chamber’s Program “14th Annual Student & Educator of the Year”
The Shelby County Chamber is pleased to announce its “Annual Student and Educator of the Year” recognition program. Educators play a vital role in the lives of Shelby County children, impact our communities every day and help develop the workforce, which our Shelby County businesses and organizations will need in the years ahead. As such, the chamber has launched this recognition program to celebrate excellence in the teaching profession and inform our community of the exceptional quality of instruction delivered throughout Shelby County. All nominees will be recognized, and four recipients (elementary, middle and high school educators) will receive a one-time financial investment to assist their continuing development.
Shelby County students are our potential business and community leaders and will comprise a significant portion of our workforce in the future. As such, the chamber has launched this recognition program to celebrate student excellence in the classroom throughout Shelby County. All nominees will be recognized and five recipients (career tech stand-out (2), distinguished stand-out (2) and future leader (1)) will receive a one-time financial investment to assist their continuing development. The chamber will recognize all of the nominations and announce the recipients at the April 29 program at the Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena from 11:30 a.m-1 p.m. Please register to info@shelbychamber.org by no later than Monday, April 27.
Promoting
Your Business in 2026
As you’re planning your organization’s promotional budget for 2026, don’t forget the cost-effective opportunities available through sponsorships of chamber events. With a variety of program options, there is a way to promote and market your business to fellow business owners and decision-makers. Those options include monthly lun-
cheons, business networking programs, including CoffeeNET and Business After Hours, workshops, seminars and much more. For a complete list of sponsorship opportunities available and the investment, please contact any member of the chamber staff by calling 205-6634542 or by email at info@shelbychamber.org.
The second quarter meeting in 2026 of the Chelsea Business Alliance, an affiliate of The Shelby County Chamber, is scheduled for Wednesday, May 6, at the Chelsea Community Center (11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.).
In addition to some great business networking, our featured speaker will be Jay Hairston, CEO of Infinite Roar, a full-service, brand-building, modern media powerhouse,
combining the agility and personalized attention of a boutique agency with the unrivaled resources and expertise of a global leader.
The investment for the event, which includes lunch, is $20 per person. To help us prepare properly with the caterer, please be sure to RSVP by no later than noon on Monday, May 4, to Kirk Mancer at kirk@shelbychamber.org.
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TSCC Officers and Board of Directors
(as of 1/16/26)
OFFICERS
Chamber Chair
Rux Bentley
Rux Carter Insurance
Chair-Elect
Jeff Purvis
A. C. Legg, Inc.
Vice Chair, Business Development & Support
Traci Fox
T Fox SalonSpa Aveda
Vice Chair, Communications & Marketing
Chad Scroggins
Shelby County
Vice Chair, Community & Career Development
Holly Dean Baptist Health Shelby Hospital
Vice Chair, Finance & Administration
Chris Wilder
Sealing Equipment Products Company
Vice Chair, Governmental Affairs
Steven Smith
Specification Rubber Products
Vice Chair, Investor Relations
Melissa Dixon
CDI Janitorial Services
Immediate Past Chair
Kevin Morris
AmFirst
DIRECTORS
Josh Coker Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama
Jessie Gilliland Spire Alabama
Wade Kallaher Birmingham Coca Cola Bottling Company
Atisthan Roach Vulcan Materials Company
Keith Strickland Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood
Terri Williams A T & T - Alabama
Ken Coreno Central State Bank
Khiari McAlpin Knox Vinehouse Nursery
John Platt Bryant Bank
Anna Catherine Roberson Alabama Power Company
Dr. Sara Robicheaux Stephens College of Business / University of Montevallo
Brian L. Wilson EBSCO Industries, Inc.
Leah Bigbee
Jefferson State Community College
Zachary Kirby Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Shelby County
Brant Malone Avadian Credit Union
Micah McLaughlin Irons Media Group
Lynn Ray Business Telephones, Inc.
Teresa Vick Regions
John Collier Trustmark Bank
Alec Etheredge Shelby County Newsmedia
Becky White Sain Associates
Jennifer Pemble Warren Averett, LLC
Aubri McClendon McClendon Counseling & Consulting
Amy Sturdivant (ExOfficio) 58 INC
The Hon. Scott Brakefield City of Alabaster Shelby County Mayors’ Association (Ex-Officio)
Your Chamber at Work
(December 13-January 9, 2026)
- Responded to 47 requests for business & community information.
- Promoting chamber investors as well as chamber & community events through the following social media outlets:
- Chamber Facebook: 7,645 “total followers” and 18,745 “views”
