BUSINESS MATTERS

Karin Hopkins

At a dynamic meeting attended by a record setting crowd, the Tuskegee Area Chamber of Commerce (TACC) ushered in a new beginning. The past pleasantly converged with the present as Judge Deborah Biggers, who is a former Chamber President, officiated the swearing-in ceremony. This procedure legitimized the officers who will govern the Chamber for the next two years.  Loretta Alexander is President. The other officers are Roland Vaughan-Vice President, Bobby Davis-Treasurer and Fred Flowers-Secretary. At the meeting held on Monday, January 22, 2018 at Henderson Hall on the Tuskegee University campus, the theme was “A Call to Win”, which Ms. Alexander explained this way,  “As Chamber President, it is my job to work with my fellow Chamber officers and members to improve the climate for local businesses. This is why my message is “A Call to Win.” When you think about a calling on your life, you know this is a force you just cannot fight. It is your destiny. This is the theme for the Chamber beginning in 2018. This message is a declaration about Tuskegee and Macon County that emphasizes “A Call to Win” for this community. We will celebrate winning no matter how it’s packaged. Small accomplishments and large successes will be applauded.” Ms. Alexander said let’s start talking positively about where we live and suggested that “wins” are all around us. People are initiating projects that are improving the community such as Dr. Olga Bolden Tiller who purchased the former Macon Gardens apartment complex and is restoring the property to provide new affordable housing options. A highlight occurred during the meeting as an executive with the T-100 project delivered a pre-recorded congratulatory message to the Chamber. Joe Militano, Vice President of Communications at Leonardo DRS said the company is looking forward to winning the U.S. Air Force contract and building a manufacturing plant in Tuskegee. He also said he is impressed with the level of grass roots support the T-100 is getting from the local community. People were excited about the new committees within the Chamber and a number of volunteers signed up for service.  And there was a touch of royalty at the meeting with the presence of Jessica Lillian Dedeaux, the reigning Miss Tuskegee University. As fate would have it, the meeting coincided with Mayor Tony Haygood’s birthday and this sparked a celebratory moment. The first Chamber meeting of 2018 ended with a Mardi Gras themed reception catered by Lenora Goode with Goodetymz Events and Concierge Services. On behalf of the Chamber, I thank everyone who attended the meeting in spite of the stormy weather. And I also classify the meeting as a “win” in the way that it repositioned the Chamber, fostered networking and galvanized the community concerning BUSINESS MATTERS.

Karin Hopkins is executive director of the Tuskegee Area Chamber of Commerce and also co- founder of ECHOboom, a digital media platform. Contact her at ourchamberworks@gmail.com.

Photo Cutline:

The Tuskegee Area Chamber of Commerce officially installed new leadership at the meeting held on January 22, 2018. The officers are (far left) Robert “Bobby” Davis-Treasurer, Fred Flowers-Secretray, Roland Vaughan-Vice President and Loretta Alexander-President. For details, read the BUSINESS MATTERS article written by Karin Hopkins and published on page 5 of this newspaper.