2026 Submission Deadline Will Be Announced Soon
The CCAA Chamber Professional of the Year Award recognizes the exemplary performance and leadership of an Alabama chamber executive with their local chamber. The award recognizes the long-term professional career achievements of the candidate.
Criteria to be evaluated includes experience, training and education, service to Alabama Chambers and other professional organizations, service to chamber colleagues, ethical conduct in dealing with others, a highly developed sense of professionalism, leadership and an abiding desire to advance the profession of chamber management.
Non-professional criteria to be evaluated can include: non-chamber related community participation, civic participation, religious/charitable/educational related activities, etc.
Self-nominations are accepted and encouraged.
An out-of-state review panel of chamber executives will serve as the review panel and selection committee.
To nominate a chamber professional, complete the nomination form below.
For Questions or Concerns:
Paige Hutto
Submission Deadline Will Be Announced Soon
The Chamber Professional of the Year Award will be presented at the Executive Leadership Conference Awards Dinner "Alabama Chambers Night of Champions".
2025 Professional of the Year
Laura Strickland, IOM, AACE was recognized as the 2025 Alabama Chamber Professional of the Year. Laura serves as President & CEO of the Sylacauga Chamber of Commerce. This award recognizes the professional career achievements, exemplary performance and leadership of a long term chamber professional. Laura is a dynamic leader, visionary strategist, and tireless advocate for her community, she exemplifies the very best of chamber leadership. With over eight years of dedicated service to her chamber - five of them at the helm - she has transformed the organization into a powerhouse of local economic development, workforce innovation, and community engagement.
Past Recipients
2015 Linda Lewis Chamber of Commerce Walker County
2016 Diane Poole Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce
2017 Kirk Mancer The Chamber of Shelby County
2018 Jim Page The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama
2019 Heather Brothers New Etowah Chamber
2020 Crystal Brown Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce
2021 Theresea Hulgan Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce
2022 Dean Mitchell Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce
2023 Meredith Drennen Birmingham Business Alliance
2024 Nan Baldwin Hoover Chamber