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The Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed a new president and four new board members at its annual banquet on Thursday, Feb. 9, at the Kiwanis Community Center.

“Mellisa King is going to do wonderful things leading the Chamber as this year’s president. She is involved in so much in our community, and she can literally do it all. Mellisa is a natural leader and is a huge asset to the Andalusia area,” AACC Executive Director Laura Wells said. “I am also looking forward to working with the new board members to achieve continued growth and success in our business community. They each bring their own unique set of insight and talents to the table.”

Micah Garner, Katherine Taylor Jones, Mitch Thorn, and Michelle Wunsh were also inducted to serve three-year terms on the Chamber Board of Directors. Their terms began at the banquet on Feb. 9, 2023, and will run through the end of 2025.

Garner is the president and CEO of Southern Independent Bank.

“I became a board member because I see it as an opportunity to be involved in community development and improvement. I am looking forward to becoming more familiar with the various business and business leaders in our community,” Garner said.

Jones is the office manager for Taylor Linen Services.

“I am excited to be a part of the Chamber, so I can contribute by helping with the many great events the Chamber hosts each year. These events are a big part of what makes Andalusia the great town that it is. I think it is very important for people to serve the community they live in,” Jones said. “I look forward to learning more about the businesses of our area and connecting with them to find ways to continue to make our community a desirable place to live.”

Thorn serves as the marketing and communications manager at Southeast Gas.

“I wanted to provide continuous representation for Southeast Gas and our support for the Chamber but also serve Andalusia through my involvement with the Chamber’s events and promote our local businesses. I am looking forward to developing new relationships with local business leaders and finding ways to help the Chamber continue to promote community involvement,” Thorn said.

Michelle Wunsh is a personal banker for Cadence Bank.

“I am so grateful to be a board member. I wanted to be part of the Chamber of Commerce because I love what it does for the community. I love Andalusia and wanted to be someone who makes a difference and be a pillar of the community,” Wunsh said. “I am so excited to start 2023 as a board member and want to be utilized in any way because I love volunteering. I think what I am most looking forward to is the children playing at July Jamz and Candyland.”

All four elected board members hope to use this opportunity and gain valuable knowledge and connections from this experience.

“I hope to gain a better understanding of what the businesses and business leaders in our community see as priority for continued growth in our area,” Garner said.

“I hope to be able to look back on the years I was a part of the board and see the board’s efforts in many new and positive ways for the Chamber,” Jones said.

“I’m hoping to be more connected in our community but most importantly be a part in helping Andalusia’s continued growth and success,” Thorn said.

“I hope to gain a deeper appreciation of all the hard work it takes to keep our town beautiful,” Wunsh said.

Representing SanBuck Insurance, Mellisa King has taken over as the Chamber’s president and will serve a one-year term. She replaces immediate past president William Alverson.

“I am very honored to be chosen for this position and do not take it lightly. I will do my best to keep the best interests of our community and Chamber at heart,” King said. “I am looking forward to our team achieving great things this year.”

King is an Andalusia native who enjoys giving back and being involved in her community. “This is where I live, and I want to be proud of it. I want my grandchildren to grow up in a wonderful community. Love where you live.”

Her annual goals include keeping traditions going and encouraging others to join the Chamber.

“I would love for us to continue to grow our membership and our involvement in the community as well as bring awareness to all the benefits that come with being a Chamber member. Past officers have already accomplished this, and we want to strive to do it even more. We are what we are and where we are because of the members of the AACC. The board could not do what we do without the members and the community efforts. It is a team effort. I call it TEAM for ‘together everyone achieves more.’ We want to achieve more, so we need everyone’s support,” King said.

For more information about the Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce, email laura@andalusiachamber.com, maggie@andalusiachamber.com, visit andalusiachamber.com, or call 334-222-2030.