Russ Hamlin became the new president of the Rotary Club of Chilton County at Wednesday’s meeting.

Hamlin, of Edward Jones investments, took the gavel from outgoing president Steve Yeargan.

“I know you’ll make a great president,” Yeargan said at the meeting at the Grand Ole Cafe.

The club’s board earlier this year nominated Hamlin to the elected position of president.

Rotary Club each year hosts a fishing tournament that is the club’s main fundraiser. Among the club’s charitable causes are providing dictionaries to every county third grader sponsoring The Clanton Advertiser’s Newspapers in Education program.

“This is going to be a tough act to follow,” Hamlin joked but then said he has serious hopes for the club, including growing membership. “It takes a team effort, so I look forward to working with all of you.

“It means a lot to me that you’ve entrusted the club to me.”