By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

The current president of the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce will take over July 1 as the new president of the Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce, GSCC officials announced during a May 30 luncheon at the Pelham Civic Complex.

Kirk Mancer was chosen from a pool of more than 35 applicants to serve as the GSCC president. The GSCC president’s seat has been vacant since former president Jennifer Whisenant stepped down in January to become the executive director of the Birmingham Auto Dealers Association.

Before becoming the president of the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce about nine years ago, Mancer served as the vice president of the former Birmingham Area Chamber of Commerce and the chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama.

“Having a chance to come back to such a wonderful community, it was a no-brainer,” Mancer said.

Mancer said working with Cullman County’s 11 municipalities has prepared him well for working with Shelby County’s communities, and he said he plans to get to know Shelby County officials after taking the GSCC helm.

“I’d like to get out and meet with our membership and visit with all the mayors after I get here,” Mancer said.

Mancer praised his GSCC predecessors, and said he plans to continue the work they began.

“I want to thank the search committee for selecting me. Y’all have a wonderful community, and you’ve got some great things going on,” Mancer said. “I look forward to continuing that progress.”