By Staff
Jason Cannon
Franklin County Times
After 13 years at the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce – the last 10 of which as director – Lisa Stockton is stepping down effective Jan. 4, 2008.
Stockton offered her resignation Friday to take a job as Facilities Administrator for the Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT) office.
"My new position will be the office at their Muscle Shoals (location)," she said. "AIDT is currently working with the National Alabama Corporation at their new rail car plant in Barton."
Stockton said she had reached a point in her life that the benefit package offered to state employees was too attractive to turn down.
"You can't buy benefits like what you get working for the state," she said. "I've just come to the point to where (having benefits and retirement) is important."
Director of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce is not a city, county or state position, therefore it doesn't carry the benefit package offered to municipal and state employees.
"I cannot say enough great things about the Chamber and the people I have had privilege of working with," she said. "Especially the Chamber board of directors, staff and chamber members. All of the Chamber members and the support that you have given me has been tremendous and I am forever grateful."
While her presence may no longer be full-time in the office, she said she and her family would still live in Russellville and they would remain active in chamber events.
"I've told people that leaving this job is kind of like a divorce," she said. "You want to make sure your babies are taken care of and I've got lots of babies. I want to be there to help ease the transition and I want to be here to see Russellville and the county continue to grow."
The chamber board of directors will form a search committee and begin interviewing potential applicants in January.