By Ally Morrison
Mountain Brook is a better place because of one important person: Suzan Doidge, according to Mountain Brook City Manager Sam Gaston.
Doidge, who has spent the past 14 years as executive director of the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce, recently announced her retirement.
In response to her retirement announcement and as a part of their city improvement project, students of Mountain Brook High School wanted to do something special for her.
Margaret Denton, who teaches Leadership Mountain Brook, recommended the students get in touch with Gaston to brainstorm ideas.
“They tossed around several different ideas and landed on dedicating a bench in her honor,” Denton said. “One student also suggested having flowers to ‘Suzan-ify’ the space.”
The surprise was then revealed to Doidge on May 9 during a City Council meeting, and the following day a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place outside of the Mountain Brook Chamber.
“It was very much a welcome surprise and so appreciated,” Doidge said. “I look forward to sitting on that bench and watching the world go by when I retire.”
Originally from Sylacauga, Doidge has lived in Mountain Brook for nearly 42 years and resides with her husband, Neil. The two have two children, Anne Raines and Campbell Doidge.
After graduating from Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in family and child development, Doidge spent nearly three years working as a psychiatric social worker in an adolescent unit at Hillcrest Hospital.
During this time, she was active in civic organizations and volunteered with the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce.
“My friend and mentor, Tom Cosby, saw something in me that I didn’t see myself,” Doidge said. “He hired me to work in membership and marketing for the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce. Everything I know from a marketing and PR respect came from his mentorship.”
After spending time with the Birmingham Chamber, Doidge went on to do marketing work for Southwest Airlines for 17 years. When Southwest announced the closure of the satellite marketing offices, Doidge started her own business.
“I started my own business dealing with event management and business development,” Doidge said. “I had clients like Vulcan, Books-A-Million, AmSouth and more.”
Doidge dedicated time to various organizations, including being on the boards of the Ronald McDonald House and McWane Science Center.
While she was busy in her new venture, the Mountain Brook chamber had an opening for an executive director.
Finding Her Calling
“I actually sent my friend to interview for the job and even helped her with her resume,” Doidge said. “I started thinking about the job more and more, and I called her to tell her I was going for it and told the chamber I wanted to put my name in the hat. They interviewed me and 14 years ago gave me the opportunity to represent and support the community in which I live, love and have raised my family. It has been a great place to work, and I think I’m a better person for it.”
Doidge details how things changed over her tenure, stating the community is more engaged now than ever.
“The more events we started having, the more people wanted to be involved,” Doidge said. “It’s been interesting to see how people both on and off our board want to participate.”
Her ties to the community extend far beyond the chamber walls, as she has become a friend to many Mountain Brook students.
“On Fridays during the school year, before COVID, the junior high kids all walked from the junior high to Crestline to hang out, and they would all come by and drop off their backpacks in my office,” Doidge said. “On any given Friday afternoon, you might see 100 backpacks piled up in my office”
Doidge has many comical stories to share during her time with the chamber, but one story in particular stood out to her the most.
“About 10 years ago, I got a call from someone in New York with NBC about Village Gold, our local currency. I thought someone was playing a joke on me. Everyone in the office was always joking that I’m gullible,” Doidge said laughing. “It ended up really being NBC. I almost lost this for us, because I almost hung up on him.”
“He came to Mountain Brook, spent 3 days here and couldn’t get over the city and the people.”
When asked what she will miss most, Doidge said it all comes down to the people.
“The people I have worked alongside for the past 14 years are so special,” Doidge said. “Board members, city employees, the people in the community and business owners, I’ve gained so many friends.”
Gaston had many compliments for Suzan and the accomplishments she’s made during her time with the chamber.
“Suzan has certainly done an outstanding job during her tenure here with the Chamber of Commerce,” Gaston said. “We will miss her, her outgoing personality and her can-do attitude. Whoever fills her position will have big shoes to fill. I have no doubt Mountain Brook is a better place because of her.”
After her retirement at the end of September, Doidge has plans to travel. She plans to visit Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast, as well as the El Camino trail.
