Callaway Chamber hires new executive director

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Heather Saunders and J Brown

The Callaway Chamber of Commerce announced the hiring of a new executive director Oct. 14.

Tamara Fitzpatrick will bring her experience as the director of operations at the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce to the Callaway chamber on Nov. 2.

"Tamara's innovative ideas to benefit our members, her experience networking at all levels - from legislators in Washington, D.C. to small business owners - and her positive energy convinced the board that she is the right person to move our organization forward," Matt Gowin, Callaway Chamber of Commerce board president, said in a press release. "We are excited for the potential that Tamara holds at this pivotal point in the Chamber's history."

The pivotal point that Gowin is referring to is the Callaway Chamber's merge with three well-known Fulton organizations in June that were once known as the Fulton Area Chamber of Commerce (FACC), the Fulton Area Development Corporation (FADC) and the Show-Me Innovation Center (SMIC). The expansion of the chamber aims to fortify the current support for county-wide economic development.

"Through SMIC, Fitzpatrick will lead economic development efforts throughout Callaway County, develop and nurture an entrepreneurial climate, and oversee a small-business support center and incubator, and she will provide oversight and leadership to the Fulton Area Development Foundation (FADF) to help recruit new business and industry to the county," the chamber press release stated.

Fitzpatrick's duties as executive director will include overseeing traditional chamber operations, such as staffing, administrative and financial oversight and planning, membership services and public relations. The new executive director started off as an intern at the Fort Smith Chamber answering phone calls and inquiries and distributed information about chamber members before becoming more involved in membership recruitment, marking and economic development roles.

"I did a lot of sales out in the community, member retention, getting to know our members and what their needs were in order to make their needs successful," Fitzpatrick said.

She also worked on economic development with the Fort Smith Regional Chamber president and CEO for prospective members and showed them the community whenever they visited. Fitzpatrick was also an event planner for chamber members and helped them market their businesses before becoming the director of operations.

"I really think the goals in every community are very similar," she said. "I think my experience there will help me succeed in that community (Fulton)."

Fitzpatrick is not unfamiliar with Missouri. She has family in St. Louis and Rolla.

"I actually have some family that own a ranch and a Happy Pappy's out by Mark Twain National Park, so I've spent a lot of time in Missouri," Fitzpatrick said.

When Fitzpatrick visited Fulton for the first time to interview with the chamber, she liked what she saw in the town and the potential it has to flourish.

"I really like the community and the county," Fitzpatrick said. "We've really enjoyed kind of just exploring and trying to learn about it."

She added that she went on the city's Facebook page and websites and read about the county and all of the different activities it offers.

"It (Fulton) has got that real hometown environment feeling to it, so I'm really really looking forward to that and getting plugged in," she said.

Fitzpatrick was particularly impressed with how involved the board is with the chamber and their passion for community economic development.

"That really meant a lot to me," she expressed. "They were so supportive and tuned in for what they wanted for that community, so that is something that really stuck out to me."

Fitzpatrick anticipates moving to Fulton and the new life changes it will bring.

"I really am looking forward to this new change of life for myself, getting to know new people ... I'm a people person and I wanted to meet new people, so I think that will be a lot of fun for me," she said.

Fitzpatrick is moving to Fulton with her boyfriend, Ron. Her 18-year-old daughter will continue her studies at the University of Arkansas and will be staying with family in Fort Smith. Fitzpatrick and her boyfriend are still looking for their home, sweet home in Fulton.

"We drove around for about seven hours last Sunday looking for something .... we're just gonna play it by ear until we find something where we can get settled," she said while laughing.

According to the news release, 88 applicants sought the executive director position at the Callaway Chamber. Six members of the Chamber Board of Directors formed a search committee to narrow the applicant pool through an extensive interview process before hiring Fitzpatrick.