Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
From the almost retired, former Chamber President/ CEO
I realize that you didn’t expect to read my byline here again, but I’m humbled to be asked to provide this one last time.
Twenty nine days from today, December 2nd, I’ll officially retire from the Harrison Regional Chamber of Commerce. My wife, Becky, is still not sure that I’ll do this, since I’ve planned to retire four previous times, but then always found a “new opportunity.” I intend to keep my word this time … at least with regard to full-time work.
In late 2018, after 53 years of promoting the community with events and festivals, the Chamber Board made a critical and strategic decision to focus its mission to expanding existing businesses, helping create new jobs, upskilling the workforce, and collaboratively laying a foundation for new businesses to thrive. The goal was to positively impact each citizen’s prosperity.
In the ensuing months, I’m very pleased to have helped accomplish what the Board envisioned. The numbers tell that story of what a team looking ahead and working together can achieve.
Since 2019, our community team has worked on over 250 economic development projects that have produced over $255,000,000 of new capital investment in Harrison and Boone County, including major investments by all 15 of our local manufacturers, and created over 1,250 new jobs with an annual salary impact of over $40,000,000! Over 420 investors trust the Chamber to be their ‘voice for business’ today.
As I’ve noted previously, changing focus for the Chamber was like building something from the ground up. Taking the various components of several different economic and workforce development entities, each in their own silo, and bringing them together in a collaborative fashion, has proven successful. I owe tremendous thanks to Chamber Board Chairs Gwen Hoffmann, Melissa Collins, Dr. Tara Willmott, and Jim Holland who have each led through these adventurous times, times that included a major manufacturing plant closing, rebuilding from the Covid pandemic, updating the Chamber’s offices and image, dealing with unfounded accusations of misdeeds, and more. They saw the need to change and led, joined by the leadership of many collaborative partners, including elected officials at the local, county, state, and national level.
I’ve enjoyed coming to work each and every day, tackling the opportunities for change, and pleased to have given back to our community. Harrison and Boone County are set on a path for continued growth and prosperity. One thing I know for certain is that Wilson Marseilles and his talented team will take the Chamber and its mission to new heights!
I’m blessed to have played a small part in the Harrison Chamber’s recent run and setting the course for the future of this great community where I know we are … and will be … taking care of business each and every day going forward!