Coordinating behind the scenes at the Hartselle Chamber  

By Rebekah Martin 

Photo by Rachel Howard  

The Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce holds numerous events throughout the year – some as small as celebrating a new business with a ribbon cutting and others with thousands of attendees. Kassi Hill is one of the people behind the scenes coordinating those events from the ground up. Hill works as the HACC’s administration and events coordinator, and in her second year in that position, she said she loves the community aspects of her job.  

“My favorite part is getting to be in the community all the time – it’s a unique opportunity to serve in this capacity,” she said. “It’s always changing, it’s always something different, and I’m always getting to meet new people and tell them about our Chamber and our city.”  

Hill has her hands full: From the Chamber’s Total Resource Campaign and the annual Cotton Pickin’ BBQ to networking events and Depot Days, she’s involved in every step of the planning and execution process. She also attends meetings for the various subcommittees that are overseen by the HACC, including the nonprofit committee, Chamber Ambassadors and Hartselle Young Professionals.  

Hil was the one who came up with an idea for an addition to Depot Days last year that she said she hopes continues in years to come. Glow Night was held at J.P. Cain Stadium during the week leading up to the 39th Depot Days festival. Area youth groups were invited to wear neon colors and participate in a devotional time once the sun had set.  

“Depot Days is a lot of fun. It’s a lot of work, and it was my first year doing it, so I didn’t know what to expect,” she said. “I think we had close to 200 vendors last year, and we’re already planning for the 40th annual festival that will happen this September.” 

Hill is as Hartselle as they come; this is where she grew up and, except for a year spent in Priceville, where she has lived her entire life.  

“I graduated from the high school, and I knew I wanted to raise a family here,” the wife and mother of two said. Hill and her husband, Josh, have been married for 15 years and have two children: Kealeigh, 14, who is a freshman at Hartselle High, and Lawcyn, 12, who is in sixth grade at Hartselle Intermediate.  

Outside of her job at the HACC, Hill is also involved in various organizations on a personal level. She’s part of The Prayers for Kayleigh Foundation and is a member of the Hartselle Kiwanis Club, and she and her family attend Life Church.  

“I just like the small-town feel here. I grew up here and always liked it, so it’s where I wanted to raise my kids,” she said. “When I was in school, I remember a lot of my classmates wanting to graduate and move off to big cities – I never had that thought. I think that plays a role in why I enjoy my job.  

“I want Hartselle to be somewhere people want to come and stay – raise their families. We do have a lot to offer, even though we’re a small town. You know everyone, and you always have someone to help you when you need it – I wouldn’t trade that.”