News Staff Report
The Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce and Corporate Trustees named Anna Norton as executive director Wednesday, September 2. Norton previously served as executive assistant and as interim director since early July.
Norton, an Atmore native, is a 2004 graduate of Escambia Academy. While attending school, she was involved in numerous clubs and organizations, including the Chamber’s Youth Leadership Program (YLA). She was on the basketball and won three state championships under Coach Chad Prewett. Her passion for basketball continues as she’s a volunteer Pee Wee basketball coach. Norton’s first job was as a counselor at the Atmore YMCA.
As part of a military family, she lived in California for a while and volunteered for the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. Her experience there gave her a different aspect on living in a big city as opposed to a small town. But she couldn’t stay away from home too long – she made sure to visit when it was time for Mayfest and Williams Station Day.
Norton earned her Associates Degree from Craven Community College in North Carolina. She has now set a new goal of a Bachelors in Integrated Marketing and Communications from The University of West Alabama. She will complete this degree in the fall of 2021.
Some interesting information about Norton: When Amtrak first came to Atmore, her family rode Amtrak to Montgomery as a prize for her mother winning a cake-decorating contest. Her aunt, Terri Godwin, served as the YMCA’s executive director. And lastly, she loves to travel – she has been to over half of the states in the U.S., Brazil, Paraguay, and Chile, but when on vacation, she can be found at her favorite destination, the Great Smoky Mountains.
In 2016, Norton returned to her hometown of Atmore. She served as the Chamber’s executive assistant for nearly two years before stepping in as the interim executive director. She has been attending Chamber conferences and Trustee and member visits, writing grants, and brainstorming the Chamber’s vision for 2021.
From the Board: “The Chamber Board of Directors trusts that she will make an outstanding Executive Director for our organization. We are thrilled to have someone with such great history and culture leading the Chamber.”