By Staff
Tracy B. Cieniewicz, Hartselle Enquirer
Her love for Hartselle has Carolyn Wallace ready to dig into her new role as executive director of the Hartselle Beautification Association.
"I'm ready to get my hands dirty," Wallace said. "From replanting plants in the pots downtown to educating students about community pride, I'm ready to jump in with both feet."
Wallace resigned from her position as Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce vice president when she accepted the appointment from HBA's board of directors at the end of November. The appointment followed the resignation of Dawn Cowley due to her family's decision to move to Tennessee. Cowley has served HBA since Jan. 5.
Wallace has served the chamber as vice president since May and has been a member of and director with the chamber for many years. She has also served as Morgan County Board of Education District 2 Board Member for 15 years and was a Hartselle business owner for six years.
Wallace said her experience with the chamber, school board and business community will be beneficial to her new position with HBA.
"Hartselle is like my family," Wallace explained. "Through diversity training with the school board, my understanding of business issues and concerns as a Hartselle business owner, and experience with the Chamber, I hope to share what I have learned from all of these experiences with the Hartselle community. And I have learned strong communication is the most important aspect of any organization."
To establish strong communication links through HBA, Wallace has already approached the Board of Directors, Mayor Dwight Tankersley and the Hartselle Development Board with new improvement and joint event ideas.
"I'm excited about these ideas and everyone has been very receptive so far," Wallace said. "This willingness to unify will build strong communication for the entire city."
HBA maintains E.A.R.T.H. Park, city medians and green sites, and educates students through recycling initiatives and environmental education. The position is part-time, but Wallace said she will donate additional time to the program.
According to Wallace, spring plans for HBA include replanting and maintaining spring flowers in pots throughout downtown, green site visits, a membership drive, adding board members, and building relationships with area businesses.
"We appreciate our business sponsors so much," Wallace said. "I really want to work hard to establish more business relationships through HBA and show our current sponsors how much their assistance is appreciated by us and the entire Hartselle community."
While Wallace will still maintain her position with the school board, she also plans to stay active in Chamber events.
"I have loved working with the Chamber for many years," Wallace explained, "but being with HBA will allow me more time to spend with my husband, three children and two grandchildren."
Wallace said she and her husband, Joel D. Wallace, taught their own children to take pride in their community. Now, through HBA, Wallace said she is looking forward to educating area students with the same values.
"I have such fond childhood memories of Hartselle," Wallace recalled. "From my mother working at Cato's downtown, to having my first job at Hartselle Hospital at 15 years old, there's lots of beautiful history here for me. I hope to help make Hartselle just as beautiful and return all the blessings I have received from this community."
To learn more about HBA, or to share ideas, contact Wallace at 773-0300.