Huntsville Chamber’s 86th Annual Membership Meeting Recap: Newberry Receives Distinguished Service Award

In his last official act as 2021 Chamber Board Chair, DeciBel Research CEO Jeff Gronberg presented the Distinguished Service Award to Joe Newberry, President and CEO of Redstone Federal Credit Union at the recent Huntsville/Madison County Chamber Annual Membership meeting.

In addition to his position as Redstone’s CEO, Newberry has an extensive record of community service, including volunteer roles with the American Red Cross, United Way, Rotary Club, U.S. Space & Rocket Center, and Alabama Constitution Village Foundation.

“So many students have known him as their first boss,” said Gronberg. “Still others know him for his tireless work combating unfair practices that impact our most vulnerable, such as payday loans. All of you will certainly know him as the credit union CEO, representing Redstone Federal Credit Union as the presenting sponsor for this event. However, his most important roles are those of husband to Marie, Father to Scott and Michelle, and as a grandfather. I simply know him as Joe, a friend, a mentor, and somebody I looked up to for many, many years.”

The Distinguished Service Award is the highest honor the Chamber bestows to a deserving volunteer in the Huntsville/Madison County community.

“I believe in this Chamber,” said Newberry. “I love this Chamber. I love the collaboration of coming together to make so many great things happen in our community.”

“Joe is incredibly deserving, but also one of the humblest people I know,” said Gronberg. “Not only does he direct a great organization with fantastic people, he leads by example, demonstrating how we should all be servant leaders in the community.”

Gronberg officially passed the gavel to the Chamber’s 2022 Board Chair, Greg Brown, Co-CEO and CFO of Brown Precision, Inc. Gronberg then thanked his DeciBel team for allowing him the time required to fulfill his duties as board chair.

“It has been a true honor and privilege for a kid that grew up down the road in Toney, Alabama,” said Gronberg. “I do look so forward to seeing what happens as we unveil the future.”

As the newly minted board chair, Brown introduced the event’s eagerly awaited keynote speaker, Rebecca Ryan. 

“She wakes up every day hell bent on making the world better for future generations,” said Brown.

Ryan, a noted top 50 professional futurist, economist, best-selling author and entrepreneur, and the founder of NEXT Generation Consulting outlines strategies in urban planning, economic development, and workforce development to ensure communities are well equipped for future trends and challenges.

“What are the signals of the future that you’re seeing?” asked Ryan. “The future is not a mysterious dark room with a boogeyman. If we pay attention in a different way, we can start to see how weak signals can become bigger and become stronger trends.”

The Annual Membership Meeting allows the Chamber the opportunity to present updates on the past

year to members and community leaders, plus look ahead to what’s in store in the coming months. In addition, each attendee received a copy of the Chamber’s 2021 Annual Report. This resource can also be found online at the Chamber’s website. For more information, go to: https://hsvchamber.org/

Photo Credits: Huntsville/Madison County Chamber