“In the United States, I’m Coach Charming.

“In the UK, I’m Mr. Congeniality.

“In Russia, I can’t even pronounce what they call me.

“But in all of those places, one name is the same, and it’s Andalusia,” Bill Alverson told the crowd in attendance at Thursday night’s Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce banquet.

“It’s nice to know that you are known in I don’t know how many languages. I don’t know whether it is subtitled or voiced over – but all of it is an attorney from Andalusia, Ala.”

He was speaking of his reality television show, “Coach Charming,” filmed in Andalusia last summer and aired by TLC this past fall. The show is now in countries all over the globe – including Ireland, Scotland, England, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Norway, Russia, Ukraine, Peru, Brazil, Singapore, the Philippines and Vietnam. The Chamber recognized his service as an ambassador for the city with its distinguished service award.

Outgoing Chamber President Stallion Sasser said Alverson has put a positive light on the city.

Alverson, who grew up in Dothan, moved to Andalusia after graduating from law school. He said it’s been a great place to live, work, and rear a family.

“The foundation I have for my show was this community,” he said.

The production crew that worked here over a period of four months to produce the show made on a $3 million budget came here with an expectation of what rural towns in South Alabama were supposed to be, he said.

“They found it quite delightful, and they stayed here,” he said. “They got that we were kind of cool.”

 

President’s Award

The Chamber gave its President’s Award to Jan White.

Sasser said White, who edits the Chamber’s newsletter, has been tireless in her efforts to chronicle the Chamber’s activities.

“She does a great job of summing up all of what we do,” he said.

“She has a strong sense of civic and Christian duty, and she puts her whole heart and soul into community, her church and family.”

 

Business Awards

The Chamber’s annual business awards were:

• Small business of the year – WFXX 107.7 FM.

• Mid-Sized business of the year – Covington Heavy Duty Parts

• Large business of the year – Shaw Industries

• Community service business of the year – Zaxby’s.

Also nominated were South Alabama Regional Airport, Advanced EMS, Copeland Computer Solutions, and WalMart.

 

Education Awards

• Student of the Year – Taran Carrasco. Also nominated and recognized were Courtney Shakespeare, Avery McNeil, Charlie Brock, Kayla Mitchell and Samantha Stamnes.

• Teachers of the year – Lisa Thomas, elementary; Cassie Battey, middle; and Charlotte Spurlin, secondary. Other nominees were Ashley Lee, Sherry Pouncey, Kathi Lovelady, Troy Turman and Tamberli Dixon.

• Andalusia Leadership Hall of Fame – Solon Dixon, 1902-1987.