Payne Named Lunenburg Chamber President 

By Brian Nowlin, Staff Writer

The Lunenburg Chamber of Commerce will have a new leader in 2016 as Mel Payne will step into the role as president following Dr. Linda Sheffield.

Payne was approved and introduced last Friday night and will be in charge of helping the organization grow and move forward. He stated, “I want to say thank you for those of you who have faith in me.”

He then joked that he was surprised when approached about taking on this role because he had only been with the group for one month, but went on to say that the encouragement he received from friends helped convince him that he should accept this nomination and role.

He stated, “I want this position and I can learn this position because I want to help give the people here in Lunenburg whatever advantages that we can offer and help give.”

He continued, “I truly believe that we have some of the finest people in Lunenburg County .”

While not revealing his “plan,” Mr. Payne told the members in attendance that he has a plan to help the organization grow and become stronger in the coming year.

The other officers named at the business meeting were Robert Ledbetter (Vice President), Trudy Berry (Secretary), and Bernice Thompson (Treasurer).

The Board of Directors for the upcoming year will be Debbie Brandon, Dicky Harris, Gus Villalobos, and Beverley Hawthorne.