By J.R. TIDWELL / Editor

Billy Singleton officially took over as the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce president for 2019 at the organization’s banquet on Jan. 24.

Singleton takes over the mantle from Brad Carter, who served as Chamber president during the position’s one-year appointment in 2018.

Singleton presented Carter with a plaque in recognition of his service on behalf of the rest of the Chamber board or directors during the banquet.

“It has been very busy,” Carter said of his year in the position. “I think that we have made a lot of strides to do things better for our members and the county. Hopefully, we can continue to grow and do things that benefit our businesses. I had a goal to move things outside of Clanton, and we brought the governor to the City of Jemison. It was very good of Jemison to host us and work with us.”

Singleton said he was approached about three months ago and asked if he would consider taking over as president.

“I was fairly new to the board, and it came as kind of a surprise,” he said. “I am really looking forward to it. Francine (Wasden, Chamber executive director) and I are very similar in thought about the direction the board needs to go. We work well together. We are excited about the future of the Chamber of Commerce and what it is going to do for Chilton County.”

Carter said he believes Singleton will help lead the Chamber in a good direction.

“He will continue to take care of our existing members and our new businesses that could come in,” Carter said. “I am excited about another year working with everyone. I think we are heading in a good direction with Francine, the office staff and the board (of directors) we are carrying over. Hopefully, we can finalize some things that we have been working on.”

Singleton said he was “very excited” about taking over as president even with all the new tasks he will be taking on.

“I will have a lot of administrative responsibilities as far as keeping the bills paid,” he said. “I will be setting the overall agenda in cooperation with the executive director. Where does this Chamber go through the next year? Obviously, one of the big things we want to focus on is expanding the Chamber. It has always been kind of considered a Clanton Chamber, and it’s not. It’s a countywide Chamber, and we want to make sure that we are inclusive to all the businesses in the county.”

For more information on the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce, visit the organization’s website at chiltonchamberonline.com.