Chamber Executive Director Bill Powell, right, recognized friend and Chamber Treasurer Al Murray, CPA at the December Chamber Luncheon for his ten years of unselfish service as treasurer of the Chamber Board of Directors)

Al Murray, CPA, and Partner with the firm of Warren, Averett, Kimbrough & Marino, LLC, was recognized at the December luncheon for his ten years of service to the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce and Board of Directors as the treasurer.

Executive Director Bill Powell presented him with the very first copy of the new Birmingham-Hoover Sketchbook that had been in the planning and development stages for almost a full year. The first shipment had been received at the chamber the day before the luncheon, and no one except Powell and Executive Assistant Susie Collins were aware the books had even been received.


Murray took over as treasurer when the Hoover Chamber has around 400 members and less that $100,000 in assets. At the end of 2007 and his ten years as treasurer, the Hoover Chamber now has some 1,200 members, with almost $300,000 in assets.

In the first few years he held the office, he would literally spend several hours each month, usually on his weekends or evenings, entering the data necessary to reconcile the Chamber bank statements and preparing the financial statements to ensure that the Chamber financial records were in order for the monthly board meetings.

In addition, he met on his own time annually with the executive director to prepare the budget prior to the annual planning sessions, often with several reviews necessary in order to complete the budgeting process. All this was done without ever charging the chamber for his services.

With the adoption some five years ago of a beautiful young daughter, Anna Grace, from Ukraine, and his involvement this year as president of the Oxmoor-Homewood Rotary Club, as well as several other church, family, and community involvement obligations, Al has found it necessary to step down as treasurer. His service is greatly appreciated by all who have served with him on the board of directors.

The newly elected treasurer, Dennis Cameron, CPA of Cooke, Cameron, & Travis, will be installed at the January 17 Chamber Luncheon. This newly elected professional will ensure that the transition of the finances will be handled very smoothly. In the future, the position of treasurer will be re-elected for three year terms, just as other board member positions are elected for three year terms.