The Junior Leadership & Career Academy Class VII had its Commencement Ceremony in early March! We are so proud of the 35 students that completed this program and can't wait to see what the future holds for each of them.

As part of the event, the students presented group projects that they had been working on all year about local companies. These companies included OG&E, Baptist Health, Mercy, First National Bank, Rheem, and ABB. Shout out to the Green Team for winning first place! Thank you to Armstrong Bank for providing a cash prize to the winning team.

Throughout the program year, participants met business and community leaders, as well as elected/government officials. They gained a “backstage pass” to some of the top employers, businesses, and organizations in the Fort Smith region. Sessions included Business & Finance, Advanced Manufacturing & IT, Healthcare, Public Service & Military, and Higher Education & Workforce Development.

Thank you to those that sponsored, spoke, and volunteered for JLCA this year. We look forward to announcing the upcoming Junior Leadership & Career Academy Class VIII at the end of May.

Earlier this month, Leadership Fort Smith had their “Healthcare Session”, sponsored by Fort Smith ER & Hospital.

The day began with a tour at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkoma, and then they headed to Mercy Hospital for breakfast while they listen to speakers. Before they left, they got to watch the Mercy helicopter take off! Next, they toured Baptist Health and heard from speakers while they ate a delicious lunch! After that, they toured the brand-new Fort Smith ER & Hospital facility and learned about their services. The day ended with tours at Fort Smith EMS & Arkansas Colleges of Health Education!

Thank you so much to all our sponsors and speakers for such an informative and fun day! We appreciate all your hard work as a healthcare hero.

Session Sponsor:

Lunch Sponsor:

Break Sponsor:

Leadership Fort Smith is a 10-month program that offers participants a backstage pass to the Fort Smith Region. The class will focus on the strengths, challenges, needs, and overall community issues that participants can directly address. LFS is designed to educate and motivate citizens to become leaders in our community, while also improving their leadership and communication skills. This is a great professional development opportunity that builds confidence, community relationships, and one's professional network.

Only 25 participants are selected each year for Leadership Fort Smith. Selection criteria includes but is not limited to demonstrated leadership, potential leadership ability, and commitment to community. An effort is made to build a diverse, well-rounded class representative of Fort Smith. Ideally participants will be from different industries and backgrounds and represent a wide range of ages and ethnicity.

All of the information about the Leadership Fort Smith program

is located on the Chamber's website -- click HERE to check it out.

Click HERE to nominate someone you think should apply for the program! If you are interested in applying, please use the link below to go directly to the online application!

For more than 30 years, we have honored community leaders who have gone above and beyond to impact our region in a positive way. Many articles have been written about Jack White, whom this award is named, including this from Talk Business: "Jack White, who was employed by OG&E for 35 years, and when he died unexpectedly in 1997 at the age of 57, was the Arkansas manager for OG&E. In that job he was responsible for the 70,000 to 75,000 customers the Oklahoma City-based company then had in Arkansas."

Mr. White served as Chairman of the Chamber Board of Directors from 1994-1996. The Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce said this of White after his passing: “This quiet leader was highly regarded by business, civic and political leaders across the country. In his travels throughout Oklahoma, Arkansas, and the Nation, Jack was a priceless and professional advocate and cheerleader for the Fort Smith Region.”

This award is for an outstanding individual who has made a difference in their profession and in our community. The winner will be recognized at the Leadership Fort Smith New Class Reception/Commencement event on Thursday, July 13, 2023.

Please see below for a list of past winners of the Jack White Community Leadership Award, dating back to 1990.

Hazel Evans

Nancy Orr

Ross Pendergraft

David Olive

Sandi Sanders

Robert E. Miller

Ray Baker

Jim Spears

Josie Decker

Joel Stubblefield

Benny Gooden

Robert A. Young III

Carter Hunt

Charles Shuffield

Roland S. Boreham, Jr.

Dorothy Rappeport

Don Flanders

Edward "Sandy" Sanders

Mark Rumsey

Sister Judith Marie Keith

Phillip H Merry, Jr.

Sam M. Sicard (posthumously)

Melody Trimble

Ivy Owen

Col. Mark "Casper" Anderson

Steve Clark

Sam T. Sicard

Dr. Jerry Stewart (posthumously)

Jason Green

Trent Goins & George McGill

Charlotte Tidwell

Bill Hanna

For the first time since 2019, the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce is hosting the Partners in Education Luncheon in coordination with Fort Smith Public Schools and the Partners in Education Board! Local Businesses that participate in the PIE program are invited to attend with their partner school staff to celebrate their efforts with local students. The Chamber is able to support this event year after year because of the generosity of our members.

ABB: Dance Fitness Marathon

ACHE Health & Wellness Programs: Community Cooking Classes

LIGHTSONG POTTERY: Clay Night Out

AEDC Workplace Resilience Lunch & Learn at the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce

The Gregory Kistler Treatment Center & Fish City Grill Benefit Day

Children's Emergency Shelter: Sip + Shop + Support Fundraiser

SERVPRO OF FORT SMITH: FREE CONTINUING EDUCATION SEMINAR

96th Annual Christ the King Carnival

Crumbl Cookies

Galaxy Home Recreation

Hill Top Lodging

Productions Design

Red Wing Shoes

River Glenn Cremation and Funeral Services

River Town Federal Credit Union

T&C Travel Agency