ATHENS — Business and community leaders from across Limestone County gathered on Thursday, April 24, to recognize standout achievement (and showcase some glitzy throwback dance style) at the disco-themed annual meeting gala of the Athens-Limestone Chamber of Commerce.

Held each spring as the Chamber’s signature yearly member celebration, the festive and dressed-up gala also serves as a serious awards event, honoring both staff and Chamber members who’ve contributed to the area’s surging commercial growth over the course of the past year.

This year, the Chamber served up special awards recognition for a quartet of members — including Lynn Persell (Persell Lumber and Mill) as Business Person of the Year; Shannon Elliott (Engel & Völkers Limestone) for Excellence in Public Service; Amanda Clardy (Athens-Limestone Hospital) for Executive Leadership; and Amanda Smith (The Lofton venue & catering) as Young Professional of the Year.

Also honored were the Chamber Ambassadors for 2024-2025, each a local professional who’s played an especially instrumental role in energetically promoting both the Athens-Limestone area, as well as the Chamber’s growth goals, over the past 12 months.

Chamber president & CEO Pammie Jimmar emceed the gala, introducing keynote speaker Ellie Watson (director of Sweet Grown Alabama) while also looking on as current Chamber Executive Committee chair Jerome Malone (Splash of Ink Screenprinting) ceremonially handed over the gavel to his 2025-2026 successor, incoming chair Zach Conlon (Zach Conlon Insurance). WHNT-TV news anchor Tamika Alexander also stepped in for a turn behind the mic, handing out this year’s series of special Chamber community awards.

Disco Night — the 2024-2025 motif highlighting this year’s Annual Meeting and Gala of the Athens-Limestone Chamber of Commerce — was presented by Redstone Federal Credit Union and held at a robustly crowded event venue inside the Alabama Veterans Museum in Athens.

Gold Sponsors for this year’s event were Steelcase, Grayson & Son Contracting, Inc., and Bank Independent. Mauldin & Jenkins CPAs and Advisors stepped up as a Silver Sponsor, while Shepherds Clothiers sponsored the awards. Athens Florist & Gifts sponsored the floral arrangements, and Designs by Essence sponsored the evening’s shimmery, bling-worthy balloon arrangements.