Wheeler County Chamber Sets Annual Banquet for May 9

The Wheeler County Chamber of Commerce will hold its 29h annual banquet on Friday, May 9, at 6:30 p.m. at the James Stapleton Gymnasium/ Auditorium on the campus of Wheeler County School in Alamo.

Guest speakers will be Dr. C. Alex Alvarez, Superintendent of Wheeler County Schools, and Hal Wiley, a Georgia FLEX Community Coach.

Dr. Alvarez, who assumed the position of Wheeler County Superintendent of Schools in January 2025, came to Wheeler County from Valdosta where he served as Principal of Valdosta Early College Academy and Director of the Gifted Services for the Valdosta City Schools. His over 22 years of experience in education includes roles as teacher, head coach, and district leader in Rockdale County and Cobb County.

He is a graduate of Valdosta State University, earning a B.S. degree in Education, an M.Ed. degree in Education and an Ed.S. Degree in Teaching and Learning. He holds a Doctor of Education degree from Georgia State University in Educational Leadership.

Wiley is one of the original founders of the FLEX program and now serves in a new role to provide additional support to FLEX Communities, including Wheeler County.

FLEX is a student entrepreneurship challenge for 9th-12th grade students who compete in three rounds of competition while starting and running a real business. They will apply the knowledge they gain through workshops and mentorships to real world experiences, creating a lasting impact on their future.

Wiley will talk about ways community members can get involved in the program, which this year has 20 participating communities.

During the banquet, the Chamber will honor Citizens of Distinction and the Business of the Year. Tickets for the banquet, which include a catered meal and door prizes, are $20 and are available by calling or visiting the chamber at 912-568-7808, 6 Railroad Avenue, Alamo, www. wheelercounty.org; email: chamber @wheelercounty. org.

Hal Wiley