The Leadership Fort Smith Class of 2022 will soon complete their journey together. During the closing session, they will reflect on what they have learned and how they can use that knowledge moving forward.

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 14, 2022.

Please see the 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 Merry

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

Student Sponsors: Glidewell Distributing Company, Westark Plumbing & Expert Drain Cleaning Services Weldon, Williams & Lick

Drinks Provided By: Hiland Dairy, Coca-Cola

For over 60 years, the Fort Smith Regional Chamber and its members have enjoyed celebrating local graduating seniors on their honors received for academic success! The Chamber and program sponsors had the pleasure of recognizing nearly 400 seniors that are graduating with an Honors Diploma and/or as an Arkansas Scholar with a celebratory picnic at each of the high schools. These Honors Picnics were a wonderful opportunity for our members to support the efforts to raise the level of educational achievements in our community. Stay tuned for a video tribute to these graduates that will be released next month! 

Peak Innovation Center welcomed its first students on March 28th!

“We are thrilled students from around the region will have the opportunity to experience hands-on training in labs that feature state-of-the-art equipment unmatched in our state, ensuring that we can continue to raise the trajectory of students’ success,” said Dr. Gary Udouj, director of Career Education and District Innovation for Fort Smith Public Schools.

“Peak Innovation Center is a key component of the Fort Smith Public Schools’ Vision 2023 Strategic Plan and the result of Fort Smith and Barling citizen investment and a collaborative partnership between our public schools, the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce, business and industry partners, and state and national support, securing an impactful investment for the growth of our students,” Udouj added.

The following courses will be active at Peak Innovation Center:

▪️Automation & Robotics,

▪️Computer Integrated Machining,

▪️Electronics Technology/Industrial Maintenance,

▪️Emergency Medical Responder,

▪️Medical Office Assistant,

▪️Network Engineering,

▪️Unmanned Aerial Systems.

22 school districts from Crawford, Franklin, Johnson, Logan, Scott, and Sebastian Counties will have access to the programs at Peak Innovation Center.

The Fort Smith Regional Chamber’s 4th Annual Signing Day is coming up on Friday, May 6th. Signing Day, as part of the Chamber's 1st Friday Breakfast, celebrates students entering the workforce of regional businesses, either in an internship, apprenticeship, or full-time career opportunity. These students and companies will be recognized on stage in front of over 500 event guests. The Chamber hosted some of the company interviews last week at the newly opened Peak Innovation Center. We look forward to celebrating all the Signing Day companies and students on May 6th!