Vickie Hodge, executive director of The Jimmy Simpson Foundation, has been named the new chairman of the Walker County Chamber of Commerce.

2011 Chamber chairman Lecia Eubanks, director of the Cherokee Regional Library System, passed her gavel to Hodge during the Chamber’s annual membership dinner on Thursday, Jan. 26.

Hodge encouraged all members to take advantage of the upcoming technological updates the Chamber will offer to members during 2012, including a new program, Chamber Master.

The program will allow members to update their information in real time as it shows on the Chamber’s website, which can be used as a personal webpage including photographs, directions, maps, social media links and more.

The program will also allow members to submit job postings, events, member-to-member deals and many other items to be shared on the Chamber’s website.

The new technology is set to launch in mid-February.

The event also acknowledged the retiring directors whose terms ended at the end of 2011, which included Catherine Edgemon, Judy Jackson, Mary Wooten, Melissa Mathis, Melody Day, Tom Harrison and Zach de Vaux.

Also during the event the Chamber named Judy Jackson the 2011 Chamber Member of the Year. Chris Davis, winner of the 2010 Chamber Member of the Year Award, said, “No matter what program or event is occurring at the Chamber, if you look long enough you will see Judy diligently working – many times in the background and without recognition. She gives selflessly of her time to the Chamber and for that and so many other reasons, we are all very thankful to call her a wonderful friend.”

For the first time the event honored the top three recipients of the Small Business of the Year Award. Receiving the second runner-up award was Debbi’s Flowers of LaFayette, first runner-up award was given to The Bank of LaFayette, and The Jimmy Simpson Foundation was named the winner of the 2012 honor. Jack Killian, representing the business and industry committee, had the pleasure of announcing the winners, acknowledging the true heroes of Walker County’s local economy — small business owners. They provide jobs, take risks, invest money and make our community a better place to live and work.

Following the formal portion of the event, members of the Walker County Community Theater took the stage, performing a two-person play named “Graceland,” which depicted two women and their goals of being the first to enter Elvis’ historic home, Graceland.