​CHAMBER LEADERSHIP
​

CHAMBER STAFF​

• Shelley Arrott, President/CEO
• Tiffany Hermann, Vice President
• Zach Trantham, Tourism Coordinator 
• Kelly Cross, Director of Investor Development 

​2024 OFFICERS

• Chair, Kelsey Wagner, My Media Matters/Ponca City Monthly
• Chair-Elect, Ashley Miller, Custom Mechanical Equipment 
• Vice Chair, Ryan Austin, First National Bank of Oklahoma
• Treasurer, Brad Fox, Evans & Associates Enterprises 
• Immediate Past-Chair, Rick Hancock, Rusty Barrell Supper Club
• Shelley Arrott, President/CEO

DIVISION CHAIRS

• Ambassadors, Ponca Politics Committee - Ashley Miller
• Community Development, Ponca City Business Council, Education and Workforce Development - Ryan Austin

​EX-OFFICIO DIRECTORS

• Board of Education - Adam Leaming
• Cherokee Strip Credit Union - Robin Carpenter 
• City of Ponca City – Mayor Homer Nicholson
• City of Ponca City – Craig Stephenson
• Community National Bank – Whitney Sundberg
• District Attorney – Brian Hermanson
• Equity Bank -  Jake Thompson
• First National Bank of Oklahoma - Ryan Austin
• INTEGRIS Health Ponca City - Madai Rivera 
• Northern Oklahoma College – Sheri Snyder
• Pioneer Technology Center – Traci Thorpe
• Ponca City Development Authority – David Myers
• Ponca City Police Chief – Don Bohon
• Ponca City Main Street – Maci Graves
• Ponca Tribe - Trey Howe
• Phillips 66 - Kevin Schmitt
• Representative Ken Luttrell
• RCB Bank - Jerod Helling 
• Senator Bill Coleman
• University Center of Ponca City - Robyn Armstrong 

BOARD MEMBERS
Terms Expiring 12/31/2024 

•  Kaity Beaty, Farha Wholesale/Fowler Vending 
• Chad Barney, Ponca City Country Club
• Kevin Florer, Edward Jones
• Noel Melendez,  El Patio of Ponca City 
• Jamie Phillips, Grand Mental Health 

Terms Expiring 12/31/2025

•  Annette Newcomb, Ponca City Real Estate Co. 
• Gary Sisco, Garrett Wrangler Restaurant
• Sally Talley, Winterrowd, Talley Architects  
• Bill Wetzel, Loftis & Wetzel Corporation

Terms Expiring 12/31/2026 

• Stephanie Austin, Philo Solutions
• Allyson Broome, KR Automation
• Jason Grace, Evans & Associates Enterprises 
• Brooke Jones, Redlands Office Solutions
• Austin Wilkins, Farmers Insurance - Kenny Wheeler 

​CHAMBER COMMITTEES
​

CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Objective: Govern and set policy for the Chamber, make decisions representing investors, and provide direction, support, and necessary resources to carry out the Chamber’s business plan.

Participants: Elected by the Current Year Board and by Appointment

Meeting Date: 4th Tuesday – 11:00 a.m., Chamber Office Patt Hughes Board Room

Chair: Kelsey Wagner, My Media Matters/Ponca City Monthly 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Objective: Act for the Board of Directors between meetings of the Board, oversee the Chamber’s business plan implementation and employ and provide direction to the Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber.

Participants: Officers of the Board of Directors and President/CEO of the Chamber

Meeting Date: 3rd Wednesday – 11:30 a.m., Chamber Office Patt Hughes Board Room

Chair: Kelsey Wagner, My Media Matters/Ponca City Monthly 

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Objective: Ensure that the Chamber of Commerce remains fiscally sound and that all monies are handled prudently.

Participants: By appointment

Meeting Date: 3rd Wednesday – 11:00 a.m., Chamber Office Patt Hughes Board Room

Chair: Brad Fox, Evans & Associates Enterprises 

AMBASSADORS

Objective: Recruit new investors, retain existing investors, and serve as the official goodwill diplomats for the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce.

Participants: Open to any Chamber Investor​

Goals:

• To aggressively recruit new business and individual investors.  Each Ambassador is encouraged to recruit a minimum of one new Chamber investor in 2024.
• To work with the Chamber staff to update investor contact information.
• To attend and promote investor participation in Chamber functions including ribbon cuttings, groundbreakings, “Business After Hours,” Cash Mobs, and Chamber Lunch and Learns.
• To encourage committee participants to attend the Chamber’s goodwill visit to another chamber in 2024.
• To continuously strive to improve the retention rate of new chamber investors by utilizing investor touchpoints each year.
• To work with existing investors and seek their views on how the Chamber can better serve them through targeted questioning.

Meeting Date: 3rd Tuesday – 8:00 a.m., Chamber Office Patt Hughes Board Room
​
Chair: Jenn Miller, Pioneer Technology Center 
Vice Chair: ​Suzanne Zanardi, Individual Investor

PONCA POLITICS COMMITTEE

Objective: Promote responsible legislation and government which creates an environment for economic development and enhances the quality of life for our city and region at all levels of government.

Participants: Open to any Chamber Investor​

Goals:

• To develop recommendations to be presented to the Chamber Board of Directors on federal, state, county, and area legislative issues that affect the business environment, and communicate the Chamber’s position to appropriate officials and the general public.
• To visit the Capitol as a group to promote the Chamber’s Legislative Agenda and meet with our state legislators. 
• To conduct public spring legislative forums and fall state of the city, county, and school forums.
• To conduct candidate forums for area elections.
• To host an elected official’s appreciation picnic.
• To promote and increase Ponca City area citizens’ involvement with local, state, and federal governments.
• To develop and advocate for a Chamber Legislative Agenda, and communicate agenda topics and advocacy opportunities to Chamber investors.
• 2024 Legislative Agenda Focus:  Workforce, Electricity Regulation, Transportation, and Federal Issues

Meeting Date: 4th Friday – 11 a.m. Chamber Office Patt Hughes Board Room.
Committee does not meet in December.

Chair: Dawn Brakey, Pioneer Technology Center​
Vice Chair:  Doreen Abbott, Individual Member 

PONCA YOUNG EMPLOYEES

Objective: The Ponca Young Employees group is in place to retain the young workforce of Ponca City within the age range of 21-40 by facilitating engagement in our community. The group is steered by a planning committee open to those in our specific age range, however the group activities are open to all others.

Participants: All events are open to any Chamber Investor; board members must be within the 21 – 40 age range.


Goals:

• To present various activities geared towards retention of young workforce with the Ponca City area
• To organize and present educational and professional development breakfasts and luncheons
• To sponsor group sporting events.
• To hold networking and relationship building social events.  

Meeting Date: Third Thursday – 5:30 p.m. Rotating meeting locations.

Chair: Austin Wilkins, Farmers Insurance - Kenny Wheeler 

PYE Events are marketed through their Facebook page ​

community development

Objective: Encourage and actively support development that promotes growth, educates our community, and enhances the quality of life in our region. Enhance unity, strengthen external business recruitment efforts, and promote ongoing development of the city’s population

Participation: Open to any Chamber Investor

Goals:

• To collaborate on common issues with federal, state, regional, city, education, and county officials.
  
•  To advocate for a comprehensive multi-modal transportation system (streets, highways, trails, public transportation, air, and rail service) and invite key city/county/state officials representing transportation systems to participate in the committee and provide pertinent updates.
• To support recreation improvements for Ponca City citizens
• Recognize and celebrate local non-profits each quarter for outstanding work that enhances the quality of life in Ponca City.  Recognize the non-profit of the year at the yearly Chamber Celebration.  

Meeting Date: 3rd Thursday – 10:00 a.m., Chamber Office Patt Hughes Board Room

Chair: Don Nuzum, Ponca City Airport
Vice Chair: Allyson Broome, KR Automation

business council

Objective: Support and enhance Ponca City’s business community in the areas of business development, education, communication, and networking opportunities through specific programs and activities directed to the needs of the business.


Participants: Open to any Chamber Investor

Goals:

• To plan and coordinate activities, including at least 4 educational workshops, to meet the current needs of businesses.
• To recognize 12 outstanding businesses/partners during the year and make a recommendation for Business Partner of the Year which will be recognized at the annual Chamber Celebration.
• To offer education on quality customer service.
• To coordinate and promote “Shop Ponca First” retail programs such as Santa Buck Giveaway, Cash Mob, and Receipt Campaign, and support and promote all Ponca City Main Street retail events. 
• To promote and support the Chamber Buck program.
• To support ribbon cuttings, welcome new investors to the Chamber, and encourage all investors to participate in the Ponca City Business Council.

Meeting Date: 1st Tuesday – 8:00 a.m., Chamber Office Patt Hughes Board Room

Chair: Crystal Martin, Competitive Employer Consulting 
Vice Chair:  ​Brooke Jones, Redlands Office Solutions 

education and workforce

Objective: Support all local education systems, organizations, and agencies.  Provide an open format that allows for educational and workforce issues to be presented, and create alignment of education and workforce needs in the community.  

Participation: Open to any Chamber Investor

Goals:

• To seek the support of Chamber Businesses for the (PIE) Partners in Education Program so each school has at least 2 active partners.
• To provide a platform for all Ponca City schools to present ideas and concerns.
• Teach customer service training at any educational organization interested.
• To provide information to the Chamber’s Ponca Politics Committee on education and workforce issues.
• To host a new teacher luncheon.
• To host a support staff appreciation day.
• To hold a “Stuff the Bus” school supply collection event.
• Encourage partnerships between local education organizations and local businesses to provide opportunities for internships and apprenticeships. 
• Focus and provide information on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education to prepare students for careers in emerging industries. 
• Work closely with local businesses to understand their workforce needs and communicate these needs to local education institutions so they may tailor programs accordingly.  Ensure education and organizational representatives are in attendance at committee meetings to inform and work as the liaison for workforce needs. 
• Host a ‘Future of Work’ event. 

Meeting Date: 1st Thursday – 4:00 p.m., various school sites during the school year. Committee does not meet in January, June or July.

Chair: Arlene Stauffer, First Christian Church 
Vice Chair: Sue Lunsford, Individual Member

tourism bureau

Objective: Promote Ponca City attractions and events.

Membership: By appointment

Goals:

• To promote the tourism development effort through the Chamber as economic development for Ponca City.
• To increase tourism traffic to Ponca City at our attractions and events both individually and by motor coach.
• To increase our marketing efforts throughout Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and with snow birds traveling I-35.
• To partner with the Oklahoma Department of Tourism in tourism trade shows.
• To partner with the Oklahoma Department of Tourism in marketing Ponca City to the European travel market.
• To partner with, Red Carpet Country and Green Country in marketing Ponca City.

Meeting date: 4th Thursday – 9:00 a.m., Chamber Office Patt Hughes Board Room

Chair: Debra Rue, Ponca City Federated Music Club