Contributed by Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce
FORT PAYNE, Ala. — This year’s Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Luncheon will be held on August 23, and I am looking forward to honoring three standout women who will be recognized for their contributions to our community through work and philanthropy.
Dr. Aimee Skelton is this year’s recipient of the Woman Owned Business award. Dr. Skelton has a true passion for orthodontics and changing her patients’ lives. After earning her Doctorate of Dental Medicine from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry, she went on to finish an orthodontic residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She then completed a Master’s Degree in Dental Science for her thesis on long-term retention of mandibular teeth.
With her mother and grandmother’s encouragement from their decades of successful business experience behind them, in 2001 Dr. Skelton opened her own practice in Fort Payne. Dr. Skelton says, “Have passion in what you do. You can have a career, but without passion, it is merely a job. Love what you do!”
Dana Grimes Brewis is this year’s recipient of the Woman in Community Leadership award. Dana has served on the DeKalb County Children’s Advocacy Board of Directors since 2004 and as President of the Board since 2007. Dana was instrumental in establishing The Gathering Place, a supervised visitation and safe exchange facility for families located in Fort Payne, Ala.
An attorney, Dana has been in private practice since October of 1996. Her practice is heavily focused on family and juvenile law. In 2011, Dana graduated from the Alabama Star Bar Leadership Forum, a leadership training program emphasizing servant leadership and the State Bar motto, “Lawyers Render Service.”
Brandi Lyles is this year’s recipient of the Women in Management award. Brandi is the Manager of Marketing and Public Relations at Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative (FTC). She has held the position for 16 years and was hired in as the first marketing department employee. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Jacksonville State University.
During her career at FTC, Brandi has launched an array of successful products and services, introduced services into new markets, created numerous youth targeted programs, developed many new public relations events and created a local television programming department. Under her leadership, FTC’s marketing department has been awarded four national TeleChoice Awards for publishing the best newsletter in the industry and two national TeleChoice Awards for website design.
Brandi loves to share this nugget of wisdom that was once shared with her. “Paint a picture of where you want to be, and your brain will find a way to get there.”
There is so much more to know about these wonderful ladies. I hope you will join us on August 23 from 11am to 1pm at The Building (across the street from the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce) as we honor Dr. Aimee Skelton, Dana Grimes Brewis and Brandi Lyles. To reserve your seat, please visit www.fortpaynechamber.com.
