Leeds Area Chamber Of Commerce Hosts Monthly Luncheon And Annual Awards Presentation
Leeds Area Chamber Of Commerce Hosts Monthly Luncheon And Annual Awards Presentation
The Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce wrapped up the year in style at its monthly luncheon on Thursday, December 18. This special event was held at Leeds First Methodist Church and included the Chamber’s annual awards presentation, recognition of outstanding businesses, and the induction of the 2026 Board of Directors. The luncheon was sponsored by Regions Bank.
Award Highlights included Civic Award – Kristy Biddle, Leeds Main Street; Non-Profit Organization of the Year – Backpack Buddies; Business of the Year – The Shops of Grand River; and the President’s Award – former Leeds Mayor David Miller.
The Chamber also celebrated its Small Business Award winners, part of a statewide initiative presented by the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama in partnership with the Business Council of Alabama. The 2025 Small Business Award winners are the Casey Parsons Team – Guild Mortgage in the 1–10 employees category, Earthborn Studios in the 11–50 employees category, and EXIT Legacy Realty as the Emerging Business (less than five years) award recipient.
As always, the Chamber thanks Mrs. Mae Hinton and the ladies of Leeds First Methodist Church for serving the meal, the chamber diplomats Adilynn Brewer, Riley Rhodes, and Scarlett Kirkland for assisting at the luncheon, and Katering 101 for catering the meal. A special thanks to Mayor Eddie Moore for inducting the 2026 Board of Directors and to everyone who joined in to close out 2025 with a fantastic celebration.
The Chamber’s 2025 Corporate Sponsors were recognized and presented with a plaque. The Chamber would like to thank them once again for their corporate sponsorship and participation as follows: Presenting Sponsor: City of Leeds
Corporate Partner: Heidelberg Materials
Gold Sponsors: Brunson, Barnett, and Sherrer, PC, Hubbell Power Systems, and Leeds Living
Silver Sponsors: Great Beginnings Learning Center, Millennial Bank, and The Shops of Grand River
Bronze Sponsors: adr Business & Marketing Strategies, Alabama Power Company, AMAC Design Builders, LLC, America’s First Federal Credit Union, Bob Watkins Realty, Buc-ee’s, Guardian Systems, IKG USA, Inc., Kinetic, Leeds Water Works Board, Stratford Real Estate, Straight Mountain Catering, UAB Medicine Leeds, and Vick Accounting & Tax Service LLC
Copper Sponsor: EXIT Legacy Realty
Mayor Eddie Moore led the ceremony for board member induction. Those elected to serve and shown in the photo are (front row, l. to r.): Jeannie Cole – The Shops of Grand River, Treasurer; Debbie Watkins – Bob Watkins Realty, 2nd Vice President; Casey Parsons – Guild Mortgage, 1st Vice President; and Steve Karr, Board President – Leeds Arts Council; (middle row, l. to r.) Board members Brandon Rogers – Leeds First Methodist Church; Maggie Holback – AmFirst; Tena Payne – Earthborn Pottery; and Kristi G. Scott – Premier Mortgage Resources; (back row, l. to r.) Emanuel Vallejo – Spectrum; James Stiles – Heidelberg Materials; John Moore – Leeds City Schools; Chris Oldenberg – Servpro of Birmingham; and Randell Pickering – Mills Pharmacy. Not shown are ex officio members Amy Lee – Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce, Executive Director and Board Secretary, and Susan Dubose – State Representative.
For more information about the Chamber, please email amy@leedsareachamber.com, visit the Chamber’s website, ‘like’ us on Facebook @Leeds Area Chamber, follow us on Instagram, or call 205.699.5001.