Dr. Lewis Brooks, Superintendent of Shelby County Schools, received the Public Servant of the Year award during the Shelby County Chamber’s annual Diamond Awards luncheon. Dr. Brooks joined Ali Payne from the City of Columbiana as a co-recipient of this year’s Public Servant award.

The Diamond Awards Luncheon was held on December 1 at the Grande Hall at Old Mill Square in Columbiana. The awards, presented by Shelby County Reporter, are designed to honor organizations and individuals who help make Shelby County the best place to live and do business in the state.

According to Kirk Mancer, president and CEO of The Shelby County Chamber, the annual Shelby County Diamond Awards – co-hosted by Calera Main Street, Columbiana Main Street, Montevallo Main Street, and The Shelby County Chamber – is a special time to recognize the “best of the best” for their daily contributions to Shelby County’s outstanding quality of life. To be eligible for the award, nominees must operate a business or live/work in Shelby County.

Recipients were recognized in the Non-profit Organization, Public Servant, and Citizen of the Year categories.

Nominees were evaluated based on how the organization or individual has made a positive difference in the County or a specific municipality, significant accomplishments achieved by the organization or individual, and how the organization or individual has improved the County or a specific municipality

Lisa Strickland Davis from Columbiana was named Citizen of the Year. The Alabama Wildlife Center, a wildlife rehabilitation and education center at Oak Mountain State Park, was named Non-profit Organization of the Year.