The Choctaw County Chamber of Commerce and its members welcomed a new Board of Directors in late March. Two new Directors joined the Board along with four existing Directors.
The Chamber of Commerce planned to hold its Annual Meeting on March 19, 2020 but due to the COVID-19 virus pandemic, the public meeting was cancelled. The Chamber held the Board of Directors election in the JP Coleman Boardroom on March 19th from 7:30am – 4pm. Chamber Members were asked to come by the Chamber office to vote during those hours. After the votes were tallied, Cristin Reed Chandler and Suellen Clement were elected to the Board of Directors. Current Chamber Board Director Aldridge Taylor was reelected to serve another term.
Chandler, Clement and Taylor join existing Chamber Directors Dianne Chancellor, Cheryl McIntire, Levon Murphy, Jr. and Melinda Newlin.
On March 26th, the Chamber Board held their monthly meeting, via telephone conference. The Board elected officers for the 2020-2021 year: President – Melinda Newlin, Vice President – Levon Murphy, Jr. and Secretary/Treasurer – Suellen Clement.
The Choctaw County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors have a variety of backgrounds that will help the Chamber excel.
Melinda Newlin has served as the Chamber Board President for the past year and has served on the board since 2016.
“Being a board member has been interestingly fun! I have really enjoyed it. I have met and made friends with some wonderful people in the county,” said Newlin.
Melinda is married to Paul T. Newlin, Jr. for 29 years and they live in Weir. Melinda and Paul have three children and three grandsons.
Melinda is the Administrative Clerk at the Choctaw County Sheriff’s Department and has been for 12 years. She is a member of the Weir Fire Department and been for 13 years. Melinda is an individual member of the Chamber of Commerce and has served on the First Responders Dinner Committee for 9 years.
Levon Murphy, Jr. lives in Ackerman with his wife, Fanecia Murphy and their three children: Levon Murphy III (Trace), Chance Maverick and Khace Rylen. He and his family attend St. Luke Full Gospel Baptist Church.
Levon is the owner and operator of Murphy Motors, LLC. He enjoys “selling cars like candy bars,” and hanging out with his family and friends. Levon is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
He is serving on the Chamber Board of Directors to “get involved with the community and to be able to lend a helping hand.”
Suellen Clement is a lifelong resident of Choctaw County. She lives in Ackerman with her husband, Donavan Clement. She is an insurance agent at Renasant Insurance and is a member of Ackerman United Methodist Church. Suellen enjoys working in her yard, home improvement projects, MSU sports and to travel.
Suellen is excited to serve on the Chamber Board of Directors to continue the tradition of serving in the Choctaw County community.
“As a lifelong resident of Ackerman, I want nothing more than to see this community thrive and grow. Renasant Insurance, formerly Weaver Insurance, has served our community for over 100 years!! I want to do my part to continue that tradition and feel that serving on the Chamber Board will give me the opportunity to do just that.”
Dianne Chancellor was born and raised in Houlka. She married Wilbur Chancellor and moved to Choctaw County in 1977.
Dianne is a retired teacher after spending 40 years in the classroom. She was an instructor at Wood Junior College for 12 years, a teacher at Ackerman High School for 24 years and a teacher at Choctaw County High School for four years. Dianne retired in 2017. Her education background includes a MEd degree and a BS degree, both in Business Education from Mississippi State University and Dianne graduated from Houlka Attendance Center.
Cristin Reed Chandler lives in Ackerman, the Chester area, with her husband, Daniel Chandler and her two children: Cara, 12, and Sawyer, 9.
She is the Director of the Choctaw County Library System and enjoys reading, gardening and cooking. Cristin is also a member of the Ackerman Twentieth Century Club, Ackerman Elementary PTO, and a Volunteer 4H Club Leader.
Cristin wants to serve on the Chamber Board of Directors to give back to Choctaw County.” I want to serve on the Chamber Board because it’s important to give back to your community in order to see it flourish. I think Choctaw County is a wonderful place to raise a family, and I hope our county only continues to improve year after year.”
Cheryl McIntire is a lifelong resident of Choctaw County. She lives in French Camp with her husband of 29 years, Chris. They have two children, Nolan and Reese and daughter in law, Heather. Cheryl is a graduate of Weir High School. She earned an associate degree from Wood Junior College in 1990 and a Bachelor of Professional Accountancy from Mississippi State University in 1992.
Cheryl is a 21-year employee of North American Coal Corporation, Red Hills Mine where she has serves as Business Manager. Cheryl is a member of New Haven Baptist Church where she serves as Church Secretary and Treasurer and Organist.
Aldridge Taylor was born and raised in Ackerman. He resides in Ackerman with his wife of 20 years, Ketsia. They have two daughters: Ayana, 20, and Akira, 17. Ayana attends Mississippi Valley State University and is a member of the softball team, and Akira attends Choctaw County High School.
Aldridge is the son of Quincy and Georgia Taylor of Ackerman. His siblings are Toya Taylor, Kayla Taylor, and Damarcus Taylor.
He is an Operations Team Leader at Southern Company/Red Hills Operations in Ackerman. He serves on the Red Hills Operations Community Involvement Team and the Mississippi Power Inclusion and Diversity Team.
Aldridge is a member of Warren Chapel Church of God in Christ in Louisville. He enjoys watching his daughters play softball and spending time with family.
Aldridge looks forward to serving on the Chamber Board of Directors because he enjoys helping others and serving his community.
