Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Chamber Events topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Brewton City chamber honors longtime staff, installs new president and awards scholarships
Summary
At its banquet the Brewton City chamber recognized longtime staff, installed Neil Jurgens as incoming president, introduced the 2026 board, and presented $500 student scholarships and an Area Citizen of the Year award.
The Brewton City chamber honored long-serving staff members, installed a new president and presented scholarships and a community service award at its banquet.
Melissa McMillan, the chamber's outgoing 2025 board president, thanked members and volunteers and passed the presidency to Neil Jurgens. "On a personal note, thank you for trusting me to serve as your president. It's been a privilege," McMillan said during remarks recognizing staff and volunteers who manage the chamber's operations.
The chamber introduced its 2026 board of directors, including president-elect Lyn Stalworth and named board members Melissa McMillan, Leslie Douglas, Donna Manel, Brittany Neil, Jerry Kelly, Raj Farmer, Seth Marfield, Jenny Gray, Dennis Bond, Julie Vanderwater and Rachel Lamb. Executive director Judy Crane and the administrative assistant were also recognized.
The organization presented its Excellence and Achievement awards — established in 2012 in memory of Principals Philip Ellis and Dian Roch — which include $500 scholarships funded by David's Catfish and Medical Center Pharmacy. The Donnie Raj Excellence and Achievement Award (eligibility cited in remarks as a 3.7 GPA threshold and community involvement) went to Bryson Barrow; his mother, Trisha, accepted the prize on his behalf because he was at a baseball game. The Philip Ellis Excellence and Achievement Award (noted as a 4.0 GPA recipient and dual-enrollment student) was presented to Miss Leila for academic achievement and extracurricular leadership.
Natalie Rogers, who introduced the Area Citizen of the Year and identified herself as having "served our current probate office for the last 14 years," presented the 2026 Area Citizen of the Year to "Mr. Doug," praising his lifelong service to the county and community. Mr. Doug thanked the chamber and recounted helping a vulnerable resident secure nursing-home placement with assistance from the Department of Human Resources, saying, "So, I can go home tonight and lay my head down and feel like I have helped somebody."
No formal votes or motions were recorded in the transcript. The banquet agenda mixed organizational announcements, recognition of volunteers and staff, installation of officers and presentation of awards and scholarships.
