Greater Ardmore Chamber announces new director

Published 6:15 am Saturday, June 15, 2019

After nearly a decade without a director, the Greater Ardmore Chamber of Commerce has announced Yolandia Eubanks as its leader.

Eubanks, who started the position Monday, is an Ardmore native and the first paid director of the Chamber since 2011. She said she knows firsthand how wonderful the city is and looks forward to sharing that knowledge with those outside the area.

“My goal here is to support our local businesses, increase the economy and make people aware of the great things going on here,” Eubanks said.

A graduate of Ardmore High School, Eubanks left Ardmore to attend the University of Alabama, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business education. She worked her way up the university ranks to a position as director of student teaching, something she says helped prepare her for the position she now holds.

“As a director of student teaching, I’m used to working with a lot of different personalities and different school systems, so I can facilitate and multitask,” Eubanks said. “… I can diplomatically handle different situations, and I’m a good communicator.”

She believes those skills will come in handy as Chamber director, since Ardmore’s city limits stretch across three counties in two states: Giles County, Tennessee; Lincoln County, Tennessee; and Limestone County, Alabama. The city also has two part-time mayors, one for each side of the state line.

Ronny Cornelison, president of the Greater Ardmore Chamber, said he recommended Eubanks take the position because she is a locally known face and a true Ardmorite.

“I’ve known her all my life, and when she came back in town … I mentioned it to her and she didn’t say no,” Cornelison said. “… She’s built her home here, and she’s gonna live here. She’s what we call an Ardmorite. She’s been away 30-something years, but everyone still knows her.”

Eubanks’ father is also familiar to the Chamber, as he was one of its founding members.

After retiring from her university position and moving back to Ardmore last year, Eubanks began attending each Chamber meeting to stay involved in the community.

She also worked with local schools to familiarize herself with area students, teachers and parents. Being able to continue volunteering with the schools is one reason why Eubanks agreed to be director only on a part-time basis. However, she has full-time plans for the job. Eubanks said she wants to boost communication between businesses and implement a way for businesses to communicate job openings with those interested in working in Ardmore.

A software program was previously purchased by Cornelison, but he admitted “it hasn’t been utilized like it should have been.” Eubanks hopes to have the program up and running within three months.

“I think Ardmore has a lot to offer — the businesses, the people. Personally, I know it’s a great place to live,” Eubanks said. “If I didn’t think so, I wouldn’t be back here.”

The Greater Ardmore Chamber of Commerce will meet 6 p.m. Monday, July 8, at Ardmore Station, 30490 Ardmore Ave., Ardmore, Alabama. Eubanks said the Chamber normally meets on the first Monday of each month but agreed to meet on the second Monday in July due to the Fourth of July holiday.

There may be an additional meeting in August. All meetings are open to the public.