Incoming President Vinson Bradley

Outgoing President Kimberly Cain

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BAY MINETTE, Alabama — The North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce will celebrate its 71st year in service at its annual banquet, set for Feb. 2 at the John F. Rhodes Civic Center in Bay Minette. The gathering begins with a 5 p.m. social, followed by the dinner and program.

Executive Director Ashley Davis said the annual meeting is a time to reflect on the past year's accomplishments, highlight future plans, and to recognize outstanding contributions to the community.

“The Chamber has a lot to be proud of for 2016 as milestones were reached and programming was enhanced,” Davis said. “The annual meeting is our largest member attended event of the year. We are looking forward to hosting a great evening for our members who make what we do every day possible and thanking them for continue to support and believe in the work that we do.”

Outgoing President Kimberly Cain will highlight some of the year's accomplishments and Vinson Bradley, incoming president, will touch on plans for the new year. The meeting is also a time to recognize the Harry B. Still Distinguished Service Award winner, as well as the small and large Business of the Year recipients. The chamber will also recognize its new and outgoing board members.

The event will feature Acting Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Lyn Stuart of Bay Minette as the keynote speaker. Davis said the membership is “thrilled” to have her as speaker.

“Justice Stuart is a true public servant who loves her community, and is an outstanding role model for young ladies everywhere. As a chamber, we are proud that she calls North Baldwin home. She represents who we are as a community so well – kind, helpful, serving and fair.”

Stuart is an Atmore native and a long-time resident of Bay Minette. She graduated with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in sociology and education from Auburn University and her Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Alabama School of Law. She spent her early career working for the state in the Attorney General’s Office and the State Department of Corrections, before joining the Baldwin County District Attorney’s Office.

In 1988 she was elected a district judge in Baldwin County and was re-elected in 1994. Then-Gov. Fob James appointed Stuart to the circuit bench in 1997 and she was elected to the post again in 1998. Stuart was elected to the Alabama Supreme Court in 2000 and re-elected in 2006 and 2012. On May 6, as senior member of the court, she became the acting chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court.

Stuart has been an active member of the community, serving as a member and past president of the Heritage Junior Women’s Club and the Jubilee Woman’s Club. She served on the Board of Directors of the Alabama Federation of Women’s Clubs for almost 20 years. She is also a former member of the Bay Minette Kiwanis Club.

She and husband George have three children and two grandchildren. The family attends First United Methodist Church of Bay Minette, where she serves on the Church Council, teaches an adult Sunday School class, sings in the choir and plays in the hand bell choir.

For more information, or to make a reservation, call the Chamber office at (251) 937-5665.