Pilot Club of Andalusia welcomes new leadership for 2024-25

The Pilot Club of Andalusia installed new officers and members to its Board of Directors for 2024-25 during its monthly meeting Monday, June 24, at the Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Pilot Club’s immediate past president Meredith Harlos, left, presents the next president of the organization Shauna Robertson with a vase of flowers. (PHOTO BY ZACK MAIO)

Meredith Harlos, immediate past president, presided over the induction ceremony.

“I would like to personally thank each one of our outgoing club officers for your time and dedication throughout the year. As the outgoing president, I would not have been able to have a successful year without your help. Thank you for your dedication and service to help others in our community,” Harlos said.

A club member since 2016, Harlos was also in the Anchor Club during high school.

“I was very honored to serve as the president of the Pilot Club of Andalusia for the 2023-2024 year. This role allowed me to see more first hand how our club really helps the community. I was blessed to have a great executive board and club to support me in all my endeavors. I know our incoming president Shauna will do a great job and continue to help grow our club,” Harlos said.

As part of the Pilot Club’s procedures for the outgoing president, Harlos will serve one year on the Board of Directors.

Shauna Robertson, a member for nearly 20 years, will succeed Harlos as president. It will be her second time serving as the club’s president.

“This position allows me the opportunity to give back to the community. My personal motto is ‘To give is to gain!’ The Lord has blessed me with many talents that I enjoy using to help those in need. In addition to serving as president once before, I have served as treasurer a couple of times as well as secretary for the Alabama District Pilot,” Robertson said.

Robertson’s goals include bringing more awareness to the meaning of Pilot Club and helping offer more opportunities for students.

“I would like to encourage more community involvement through our Brain Minders and Pick-Me-Up programs. I would also like to encourage more youth leadership opportunities through our Anchor and Compass programs at the high school and college levels,” she said.

Robertson, who currently serves as the controller for CCB Community Bank, expressed her appreciation to one of her closest friends for inviting her to join the Pilot Club.

“I will be forever grateful to Benny Jo Cockrell for an invitation to join the club. Becoming a Pilot has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The Pilot Club is more than just a club. It is a family! To serve the community alongside this wonderful group of ‘givers’ is truly priceless,” Robertson said.

Mellisa King was chosen as the upcoming president elect and has been a Pilot Club member since 2008.

“I am delighted to be able to serve my club and community. It takes a village to make our community a great place to live. Together, we can all ‘Do more, care more, and be more.’ If you want to make a difference in our community, join us at our monthly meetings,” King said.

Bobbi Lidh was elected to become the new secretary and has been a Pilot Club member for one year. She will succeed Shannon Hudson in this role.

“I am so glad to offer my help and see our club succeed, prosper, and serve our community. Being new to Andalusia, the members of Pilot Club have offered such warm and affirming friendships, acceptance, and purpose. I have thoroughly enjoyed my first year and am grateful for the genuine friendships and a chance to ‘give back’ to this wonderful part of Alabama,” Lidh said.

Loretta Black was elected to serve as the new treasurer and has been a Pilot Club member for one year. She will succeed Angelina Jenkins in this role.

“I look forward to assisting the club and our fantastic members in my new position as treasurer. I am a numbers nerd with a master’s in Business Administration and am honored to have the opportunity to serve. The Andalusia Pilot Club members are committed to serving our community and its residents. It is a fun adventure to work alongside them,” Black said.

Four individuals were selected to the Pilot Club’s Board of Directors. Maggie Mash and Janice Langston will both complete two-year terms.

“This will be my second time serving as a director on the board since joining the Pilot Club in 2015. I was previously an Anchor member in high school. I look forward to continuing to serve as a liaison and advisor for the Covington County Compass Club at LBW Community College. I am grateful for the Pilot Club’s continued support of Compass,” Mash said.

“I look forward to meeting with the other board members to help shape our club in the coming months. Hopefully, we will make good decisions after listening to suggestions from all members. I enjoy all my Pilot friends, and both the camaraderie and fellowship have meant so much to me since I became a member six years ago this month. I was fairly new to Andalusia and really needed to connect with people in the community. Pilot Club has offered me that and many opportunities to contribute to very worthy causes I care about such as Alzheimer’s, Camp ASCA, Brain Minders, and Pick-Me-Ups,” Langston said.

Angie Kelley will complete the remainder of Cynthia Peebles’ two-year term and serve as a board member for one year. She has been a Pilot Club member for 38 years.

“As someone who has been with our club for several years, this opportunity to be a board director is important to me. It gives me an opportunity to help the club and our fellow club members. Having the support from everyone goes a long way with helping your friends and club members. We are proud to be involved with our community and serve others in this regard. The Pilot Club is a great organization, and I hope we can continue going strong each year,” Kelley said.

Betty Davis, who was announced as the 2023-2024 Pilot of the Year in May, will complete the second year of her two-year term on the board of directors. She became a Pilot Club member in August two years ago.

“I learned so much last year being on the Pilot Board of Directors and look forward to being on my second year as a board member again. Andalusia Pilot Club offers many opportunities to serve our community with worthy causes on several levels. We Pilots all pull together where we can, how we can and when we can. I am so grateful to be working with these great members,” Davis said.

During the ceremony, each officer and board member placed a different-colored flower into a vase while agreeing to fulfill the duties for each office. Harlos presented the vase to Robertson as a gift for being named the next president.

The newly elected president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer positions will be for one-year terms. The next monthly meeting for the Pilot Club will be held Monday, July 22, 5:30 p.m., at the Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce.

“We encourage anyone with the heart to serve to come and visit on the fourth Monday of each month. Thank you to everyone who continues to support our role in this wonderful community,” Robertson said.

For more information email pilotclubandalusia@yahoo.com or visit the Pilot Club of Andalusia Facebook page.

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