A Hartselle woman stepped down from her position at the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce Thur., July 31, in order to begin a new job with Hartselle City Schools.

Cory Wilbanks, who served as the director of leadership development at the Chamber for six years, was approved by the Hartselle Board of Education to serve as school counselor and career coach beginning Aug. 3. As director of leadership, Wilbanks was in charge of the Chamber’s membership recruitment, leadership programs and Commodore community ambassador program. Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce President John Seymour commented on Wilbanks’ work at the Chamber, praising the impact that she has had on local leaders.

“Our community and our area leaders are better because of the work Cory has done and continues to do in Morgan County,” Seymour said. “The alumni of her leadership programing are ‘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.”

Wilbanks is a 1999 graduate of the University of North Alabama with a degree in communications. She is also a graduate of the University of Georgia Institute of Organizational Management. Wilbanks served as a private banking officer at Colonial bank and later as the community development director at the Corinth Chamber of Commerce in Mississippi before coming to Decatur.

The Chamber staff will be leading the leadership programs that Wilbanks developed while candidates are considered to fill her position.

Wilbanks