Pilot Club of Andalusia welcomes new leadership for 2024-25 – The Andalusia Star-News

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

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

Meredith Harlos, former president, presided over the induction ceremony.

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

Harlos has been a club member since 2016 and was also in the Anchor Club during his high school years.

“It was a great honor to serve as President of the Pilot Club of Andalusia in the 2023-2024 year. In this role, I was able to see firsthand how our club truly helps the community. I was fortunate to have a great board and club that supported me in all my endeavors. I know our new President Shauna will do a great job and continue to help grow our club,” said Harlos.

As part of the Pilot Club’s policy for the outgoing president, Harlos will serve on the board for one year.

Shauna Robertson, a member for nearly 20 years, will succeed Harlos as president. This will be her second term as president of the club.

“This position gives me the opportunity to give back to the community. My personal motto is ‘Giving is Gaining!’ The Lord has blessed me with many talents that I enjoy using to help those in need. In addition to my previous service as president, I have served as treasurer and secretary of the Alabama District Pilot on a number of occasions,” said Robertson.

Robertson’s goals include raising awareness of the importance of the Pilot Club and helping to provide more opportunities for students.

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

Robertson, who currently works as a controller for CCB Community Bank, thanked one of her closest friends for inviting her to join the Pilot Club.

“I will be forever grateful to Benny Jo Cockrell for inviting me to join the club. Becoming a pilot was one of the best decisions I ever made. The Pilot Club is more than just a club. It’s a family! Serving the community alongside this wonderful group of ‘givers’ is truly priceless,” said Robertson.

Mellisa King was elected President-elect and has been a member of the Pilot Club since 2008.

“I am excited to serve my club and my community. Only a village can 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, come to our monthly meetings,” King said.

Bobbi Lidh has been elected as the new Secretary and has been a member of the Pilot Club for one year. She will succeed Shannon Hudson in this role.

“I am so excited to be able to offer my help and see our club succeed, thrive and serve our community. As a newcomer to Andalusia, the Pilot Club members have offered me such warm and affirming friendships, acceptance and purpose. I have thoroughly enjoyed my first year and am grateful for the genuine friendships and the chance to give back to this wonderful part of Alabama,” Lidh said.

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

“I look forward to helping the club and our amazing members in my new position as Treasurer. I am a numbers whiz with a Masters in Business Administration and am honored to have the opportunity to serve. The members of the Andalusia Pilot Club are committed to serving our community and its residents and it is a great adventure to work with them,” said Black.

Four people were elected to the Pilot Club Board of Directors. Maggie Mash and Janice Langston will both serve two-year terms.

“This is my second time as a board member since joining the Pilot Club in 2015. I previously served as 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,” said Mash.

“I look forward to meeting the other board members in the coming months to help shape our club. Hopefully we make good decisions after listening to suggestions from all members. I enjoy all my Pilot friends and both the camaraderie and community 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. The Pilot Club has provided me with that and many opportunities to contribute to very worthy causes that are close to my heart like Alzheimer’s, Camp ASCA, Brain Minders and Pick-Me-Ups,” said Langston.

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

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

Betty Davis, who was named 2023-2024 Pilot of the Year in May, is completing the second year of her two-year term on the board. She became a member of the Pilot Club two years ago in August.

“I have learned so much over the past year as a member of the Pilot Board of Directors and I am excited to be a board member again for my second year. The Andalusia Pilot Club offers many opportunities to serve our community with good causes on multiple levels. We pilots all pull together where we can, how we can, and when we can. I am so grateful to be able to work with these amazing members,” said Davis.

During the ceremony, each officer and board member placed a different colored flower in a vase and agreed to perform the duties of each office. Harlos presented the vase to Robertson as a gift for his appointment as the next president.

The terms of office of the newly elected Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Secretaries and Treasurers are one year. The next monthly meeting of the Pilot Club will be held on Monday, July 22nd at 5:30 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce of Andalusia.

“We encourage anyone who wants to get involved to come along on the fourth Monday of every month. Thank you to everyone who continues to support our role in this wonderful community,” Robertson said.

For more information, email [email protected] or visit the Pilot Club of Andalusia Facebook page.