Chamber announces staff departure

RELEASE 15-015

John Seymour, president and CEO of the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce, announced today that Cory Wilbanks, director of leadership development, will step down from her position effective July 31, 2015.

Wilbanks, who joined the Chamber in 2009, is responsible for membership recruitment,  direction of the Chamber's leadership programs and coordination of the Commodore community ambassador program.

"Our community and our area leaders are better because of the work Cory has done and continues to do in Morgan County," said Seymour. "The alumni of her leadership programing is a 'who's who' of city and county officials, school system administrators, health care leaders, directors of non-profits and heads of area Fortune 500 companies. And while helping shape adults, she has re-written the book on what it means to be a leader as a young adult with her middle and high school programs in our three local public school systems and private schools. Her work in our schools has been nothing short of life changing for young people.

"More importantly, Cory's spirit and energy for the work of the Chamber, coupled with her high character and motivation, have made a lasting impression on this organization that will continue long after her absence," said Seymour.

Previously, she worked for the Chamber of Commerce in Corinth, Miss., as the community development director. Prior to working for the Corinth Chamber, she worked for Colonial Bank as a private banking officer for northwest Alabama. Wilbanks is a 1999 graduate of the University of North Alabama with a degree in communications and a 2014 graduate of the Institute of Organizational Management at the University of Georgia.

The Chamber will review candidates to fill Wilbanks' position once she departs. In the interim period, the Chamber staff will continue the leadership and community development programing developed by Wilbanks while the search process unfolds.