By Emily Enfinger | The Selma Times-Journal

The Selma and Dallas County Center for Commerce will be hosting its 12th annual meeting with a special guest speaker on Thursday, Jan. 28.

The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at the Carl C. Morgan Convention Center with a reception followed by a seated dinner at 7 p.m.

“We enjoy it every year,” said Wayne Vardaman, president of the Centre of Commerce and executive director of the Economic Development Authority. “It’s a way for everybody to get together to see what’s going on and what people are doing.”

Vardaman said they try to get a different speaker every year — someone who is local, successful and interesting.

This year they chose Gen. Walker Givhan. Vardaman said Givhan is a good speaker with broad experience.

Givhan is a retired United States Air Force general and is currently senior vice chancellor for Advancement and Economic Development for Troy University.

He is originally from Selma area, graduating from Morgan Academy. He attended the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, where he was a National Merit Scholar.

During his service in the Air Force, Givhan worked several operations including Desert Shield and Desert Storm as well as leading the effort to rebuild the Afgan air force.

“He’s a local guy so hopefully that will bring people around,” Vardaman said.

Vardaman said they’ve had multiple good speakers over the years, ranging in experience and job titles.

“You name it, we’ve had all kinds of different people. We try to change it around, get different folks,” Vardaman said. “It’s good to get local people who have done well.”

Vardaman said the meeting is open to the public, but they must purchase tickets. Tickets are available at the Centre for Commerce, located at 912 Selma Ave., for $40 each.

For more information about purchasing tickets, call the Centre for Commerce at 875-7241.