By PHOEBE DONALD ROBINSON / Community Columnist

April Evans Stone is the new executive director of the South Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. Stone is very excited about her new position.

“I am interested in working with the smaller chamber with its close community feel,” said Stone. “I want to help grow business and help people develop better business relationships. The South Shelby area remembers its past and is embracing its future. It is a great place to be.”

Stone, the oldest of four siblings, moved to Montevallo at age 11 when her father the Rev. Jim Evans became pastor of the First Baptist Church of Montevallo. After graduating from Montevallo High School, Stone went to the University of Montevallo which was a great experience. She loved the smaller classrooms and personal attention at the university. She also met her husband Greg who is a Media Specialist at Thompson High School. The Stones have a two year old son.

After receiving her BA in Mass Communications, Stone worked as a program assistant at a local TV station. She left the station to work for eleven years at the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce as its director of community and workforce development.

Her family, faith and work are important to Stone. A person of faith, Stone is a member of Crosscreek Baptist Church in Alabaster, a church her father also pastored. She approaches everything prayerfully, including her new position and decisions at the chamber.

Her goals for the chamber are: to serve the business community and help it grow; to help business relationships network and improve; to make chamber lunches worthy of business persons valuable time; to provide professional development opportunities for the chamber; to work together with the Columbiana Merchants and Professional Association; to communicate effectively with chamber membership; to increase communication with the Board of Directors and to improve communication through the E-Blast Chamber newsletter.

Stone is especially thankful to former chamber director Bonnie Atchison for her help with her smooth transition as executive director.

Stop by the chamber office at the Jeanette Niven House of East College Street and welcome April Stone to South Shelby County!