Issuu

HEALTH AND WELLBEING EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE ADVOCACY REDEVELOPMENT TALENT, TALENT, TALENT

A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E L O N GV I E W C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2026

VO L . 9 N O. 5

ADVOCACY East Texas needs informed, engaged leaders willing to show up and help tell our region’s story.

BOLD LEA D ERS H I P. F UT URE FO C US ED.

I CHOSE

Longview Regional because I wanted to make more memories with the love of my life. – Lynn G. l Cardiac Ablation

With a nationally recognized Heart and Vascular Institute, a certified Stroke and Chest Pain Center, and an innovative Vein Center, it’s easy to see why people choose Longview Regional.

HeartCareLongview.com 903-964-3561

If you are experiencing the symptoms of a heart attack, call 911 and get to the nearest emergency room.

Longview Chamber of Commerce Staff

What’s Inside? The CEO’s Corner: Building Communities Where Business Can Thrive.....4

Kelly Hall CEO 903.237.4004 khall@longviewtx.com

Catherine Camp Membership & Retention Coordinator 903.237.4009 ccamp@longviewtx.com

David Jochum President/COO 903.237.4023 djochum@longviewtx.com

Morgan Wilcox Business Development & Marketing Manager 903.237.4013 mwilcox@longviewtx.com

Shawna Stewart Investor Support 903.237.4000 sstewart@longviewtx.com

2026 EAST TEXAS COALITION: East Texas Has a Seat at the Table. Our Voice is Strongest When Business Leaders Use It. �� 6 From Member Input to a Stronger Voice in Washington............................8 FOLLOW-UP Infrastructure Summit Helps Separate Fact from Fiction �� 9 Preparing for What Comes Next �� 10 Member Anniversaries �� 15

Elysse Garrison Director of Operations & Events 903.237.4003 egarrison@longviewtx.com

New Members �� 15 Ribbon Cuttings...........................................................................16 - 17 Inserts �� 18

CORNERSTONE INVESTORS

2 WWW.LONGVIEWCHAMBER.COM

BOLD LEA D ERS H I P. F UT URE FO C US ED. EW CHAM

2026 Y

1916

2026 CHAMBER EVENTS SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

1 ��Small Business B(AI)sics - AI for Business: From Understanding to Action

5 ��Chamber Classic Golf Tournament Fall 2026

3 ��Small Business B(AI)sics - AI for Business: From Understanding to Action

7 ��Small Business B(AI)sics - AI for Business: From Understanding to Action

11 ��Small Business B(AI)sics - AI for Business: From Understanding to Action

26 ��Small Business B(AI)sics - AI for Business: From Understanding to Action

16 ��40 Under 40 Executive Series with Karen Grosz

27 ��Business After Hours - Schulman Theatres/Film Alley

20 - 22 ��Longview to Tennessee InterCity Trip 2026

28 ��Chamber 101 29 ��Small Business B(AI)sics - AI for Business: From Understanding to Action

29 ��Business After Hours - VeraBank 30 ��State of the Workforce

CLICK HERE FOR FULL CALENDAR OF EVENTS

SAVE THE DATE! COME CONNECT. BE INFORMED. STAY ENGAGED. Bold Leadership. Future Focused.

S TAT E OF THE

I V E R S

Bold Leadership. Future Focused.

2026 Officers Andy Hill Chair Mobberly Baptist Church Jennifer Ware Chair-Elect VeraBank Brian Daugbjerg Chair of Finance Longview Scrap & Metal Company Lori Ivey Past-Chairman State Farm Insurance – Lori Ivey

Vice Chairs Casey Beddingfield Vice Chairman RLM General Contractors Mark Robinson Vice Chairman AEP Southwestern Electric Power Company

Directors Clay Thompson Texas Bank and Trust Wesley Knight Longview Regional Medical Center Jessica LaRue Harbour Smith Harris and Merritt PC Michael Clements Jr. PDQ America, LLC Adrienne Deason Henry and Peters, P.C. Don Deem Cablelynx Broadband

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2026 11:30 am - 1:00 pm | INFINITY EVENT CENTER | 300 Tuttle Circle | Longview

SPEAKER: City of Longview Mayor Kristen Ishihara

Join us for one of the Longview Chamber’s premier events as community and business leaders come together for the 2026 State of the City.

accomplishments, current initiatives, and

Hear from Longview Mayor Kristen Ishihara as she shares an update on the City’s

opportunity to connect with fellow business

vision for Longview’s future. This annual event offers valuable insight into the issues shaping our community while providing an and community leaders.

TITLE SPONSOR:

GOLD SPONSORS:

Krupal Patel Scotties – Longview Dana Rutland Right at Home Andrew Coggins Eastman Chemical Company

Appointed Directors Steve Mason LeTourneau University Shannon Moore Longview City Council Bill Stoudt County of Gregg Jamie Jack Dowell CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health System

SILVER SPONSORS:

REMEMBER TO LOOK FOR THE “BUG”

ATMOS ENERGY | BARKSDALE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION - SKYLINE | HENRY & PETERS P.C. | LOUIS MORGAN DRUG #4

C L I CK H ER E TO L EARN MO RE

H . E . A . R .T. R E P O R T 2 0 2 6

BOLD LEA D ERS H I P. F UT URE FO C US ED.

BUILDING

COMMUNITIES WHERE BUSINESS CAN

Over the past several months, I thought I was researching property taxes. It turns out I was really studying something much bigger. T HE

But as I dug deeper into the issue, I found myself asking a question I hadn’t expected.

WHAT ARE BUSINESSES REALLY PROTECTING WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT TAXES? Rather than assume I knew the answer, I asked leaders from manufacturing, healthcare, distribution, small business, economic development, local government, and education. Every conversation was different, yet a pattern emerged. No one started by talking about taxes.

They started by talking about what their business needed to succeed.

’S EO COR N E

IOM, MSL CEO K E LLY HALL CCE,

4 WWW.LONGVIEWCHAMBER.COM

Like many of you, I’ve been following the conversation coming out of Austin about property tax relief. It will be a defining issue of the next legislative session, and understandably so. Affordability matters to families, employers, and the future competitiveness of Texas.

A manufacturing executive talked about reliable energy, engineering talent, transportation infrastructure, and the cost of building major facilities in East Texas. Moving oversized equipment hundreds of miles inland can add significant cost before construction begins. Attracting specialized construction labor presents another challenge.

THOSE AREN’T POLITICAL ISSUES. THEY’RE BUSINESS REALITIES. A distribution executive focused on workforce availability, transportation costs, and skilled local vendors capable of keeping a one-million-square-foot distribution center operating around the clock. Serving more than a thousand stores requires dependable people, infrastructure, and business partners.

BOLD LEA D ERS H I P. F UT URE FO C US ED.

AFFORDABILITY MATTERS. PREDICTABILITY MATTERS. BUT NEITHER CREATES COMPETITIVENESS BY ITSELF. Businesses also depend on workforce readiness, infrastructure, public safety, housing, education, water, and a community’s ability to solve problems. Those systems don’t compete with affordability. Together, they give businesses confidence to invest for the long term. As we approach another legislative session, I hope the business community helps broaden the conversation. This shouldn’t become a debate between taxpayer relief and community investment.

Healthcare leaders brought yet another perspective.

The better conversation is this: How do we continue making Texas more affordable while also protecting the conditions that allow businesses to invest, innovate, hire, and grow?

They reminded me that healthcare doesn’t simply recruit physicians. It recruits families.

THOSE AREN’T OPPOSING GOALS. IN FACT, THEY’RE INSEPARABLE.

Physicians considering a move evaluate far more than compensation. They look at schools, housing, career opportunities for a spouse, quality of life, transportation, and whether the community is investing in its future. Transportation becomes a question of patient access and emergency response. Housing becomes part of recruiting the next generation of healthcare professionals.

The strongest business climate isn’t created by a single policy or a single tax rate. It’s created over time by communities that remain affordable, prepared, responsive, and competitive. Communities where manufacturers can expand with confidence, healthcare providers can recruit physicians, distribution companies can move products efficiently, entrepreneurs can take risks, and families choose to build their future.

THEN CAME THE CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

That’s the conversation I hope we have together over the coming months.

For many small and mid-sized employers, every expense matters. Property taxes matter. Inventory taxes matter. Benefit costs matter. Insurance costs matter. Margins are often much tighter than people realize, and even modest increases in operating costs influence hiring decisions, expansion plans, and long-term investment.

BECAUSE BUSINESSES DON’T SIMPLY INVEST WHERE COSTS ARE LOWEST. THEY INVEST WHERE COMMUNITIES WORK.

Yet even those conversations rarely stopped with taxes. Business owners also talked about reliable infrastructure, safe communities, strong schools, dependable utilities, and finding employees who want to build careers and raise families here. That’s when it finally clicked.

BUSINESSES DON’T EVALUATE COMMUNITIES ONE ISSUE AT A TIME. THEY EVALUATE THE ENTIRE OPERATING ENVIRONMENT. When companies consider investing, expanding, or relocating, they ask: •

Can we recruit talent?

•

Will infrastructure support growth? Is water available?

•

Can employees find housing?

•

Will permitting remain predictable?

•

Are local leaders preparing for the future?

Those questions are remarkably similar regardless of industry. As the Longview Chamber continued researching property tax relief and community competitiveness, that same conclusion surfaced again and again.

To explore the research behind this conversation, visit longviewchamber.com. We will post the three-volume tax series and a history of Texas property tax changes since 2011.

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BOLD LEA D ERS H I P. F UT URE FO C US ED.

EAST TEXAS HAS A SEAT AT THE TABLE.

Our voice is strongest when business leaders use it. Decisions made in Washington do not stay in Washington. They influence

By working alongside the chambers of commerce in Kilgore, Lindale,

the cost of doing business, the strength of our workforce, the reliability of

Tyler, and Whitehouse, we can bring a clear regional perspective to

our infrastructure, and the ability of East Texas communities to compete.

federal leaders. Together, we can show how national decisions affect

Federal policy becomes real when a manufacturer cannot move a product

employers, workers, families, and communities here at home.

efficiently, when a small business struggles with rising health care costs,

East Texas needs informed, engaged leaders who are willing to show up,

or when a growing community needs reliable water and energy. Those

share their experience, and help tell our region’s story.

experiences should be part of the conversation.

TAKE YOUR SEAT IN WASHINGTON

A REGIONAL VOICE

2026 East Texas Coalition Washington, D.C. Fly-In | November 8-11

Longview does not grow in isolation. Our workforce, transportation

The 2026 East Texas Coalition Washington, D.C. Fly-In gives business

systems, health care networks, educational institutions, energy resources,

and community leaders the opportunity to meet directly with members of

and supply chains cross city and county lines.

Congress, congressional staff, and policy leaders. Participants will bring

6 WWW.LONGVIEWCHAMBER.COM

BOLD LEA D ERS H I P. F UT URE FO C US ED.

Left: Members of the East Texas Chamber Delegation in Washington D.C. Right: Senator Ted Cruz speaks with the East Texas Chamber Delegation.

local experience into federal conversations about the issues shaping our region’s future. Our delegation will participate in policy briefings and congressional meetings focused on five regional priorities: water, energy, transportation, workforce, and health care and insurance. These meetings are most meaningful when federal leaders hear directly from the people affected by their decisions. Data and policy reports are important, but real examples from East Texas employers make the impact clear.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A POLICY EXPERT Participants will receive background information, key messages, and meeting guidance before the trip. You simply need to understand your organization, your community, and the challenges and opportunities you see ahead.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Business owners, executives, emerging leaders, educators, health care professionals, economic development partners, local officials, and community leaders are encouraged to attend. If federal policy affects your organization, your employees, or your ability to grow, this trip is for you.

REGISTER NOW The 2026 East Texas Coalition Washington, D.C. Fly-In will take place November 8–11. Congressional meetings and policy briefings are planned for November 9–10. Early bird registration is $425 through September 30. Space is limited, and payment is required to secure your place. East Texas needs informed, engaged leaders willing to show up and help tell our region’s story. Join us in Washington and help make sure the people making decisions understand what is at stake here at home.

Join us in Washington, D.C., and help shape what comes next for East Texas.

DC FLY IN NOVEMBER 8 - 11, 2026

Early Bird: $425

Engage directly with members of Congress and their staff during briefings, congressional meetings,

Standard: $475

(thru Sept. 30, 2026)

and guided tours on Monday and Tuesday, November 9–10. These conversations focus on the federal issues that directly affect local employers, including workforce development, infrastructure, education,

(after Sept. 30, 2026)

regulatory certainty, and economic competitiveness. TITLE SPONSOR:

GOLD SPONSORS:

BRIEFING SPONSOR:

Reservations require payment to confirm participation. Hotel reservation deadline: October 9, 2026 Registration deadline: October 15, 2026

CAPITOL CONNECTION LUNCH / DINNER SPONSOR:

CLICK TO REGISTER

H . E . A . R .T. R E P O R T 2 0 2 6

BOLD LEA D ERS H I P. F UT URE FO C US ED.

FROM MEMBER INPUT...

TO A

STRONGER

VOICE

IN WASHINGTON Effective advocacy begins at home, with business leaders examining the issues, asking questions, and deciding where our collective voice can make a difference. The Longview Chamber of Commerce recently comzpleted a comprehensive update of its Federal Public Policy Agenda. Approved by the Chamber Board of Directors, the agenda will guide how we advocate for business during the 2026-2027 policy cycle. A BUSINESS-LED PROCESS Our policy positions are not developed by staff alone. Gina DeHoyos of Edward Jones chairs the Chamber’s Advocacy Committee and leads a process that includes 13 issue-focused task forces.

FROM POLICY TO IMPACT A written policy agenda establishes where we stand. Our members explain why it matters. An employer can show what rising health care costs mean for hiring. A manufacturer can explain how an incomplete corridor affects delivery times. A local leader can describe what growing demand for water and energy means for future investment. FIVE PRIORITIES FOR EAST TEXAS The full federal agenda addresses a broad range of business issues. These five priorities have been selected for focused regional advocacy: 1. WATER: Reliable supply and long-term planning 2. ENERGY: Capacity, reliability, and responsible growth

Each task force brings together Chamber members and subject-matter experts to review current positions, consider emerging issues, and evaluate how federal decisions could affect employers and the East Texas economy. Their work covers education, workforce, health care, energy, water, transportation, taxes, regulation, and economic development.

3. TRANSPORTATION: Infrastructure that moves people and products

Recommendations move from the task forces to the Advocacy Committee and then to the Chamber Board for discussion and approval. This process keeps our advocacy grounded in business experience and supported by Chamber leadership.

A STRONGER VOICE ALL YEAR The Chamber listens, convenes the right people, builds informed positions, and carries these priorities forward in Washington and throughout the year. Review the Federal Public Policy Agenda at longviewchamber.com.

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4. WORKFORCE: Talent prepared for changing jobs 5. HEALTH CARE AND INSURANCE: Access, affordability, and employer stability

UCTUR

INFRAS

S U M M IT

BOLD LEA D ERS H I P. F UT URE FO C US ED.

FOLLOW-UP

INFRASTRUCTURE SUMMIT HELPS SEPARATE FACT FROM FICTION

When we began planning the Longview Chamber’s Infrastructure Summit on Data Centers, we weren’t trying to convince anyone that data centers are good or bad. We simply wanted to create a place where business and community leaders could ask questions, hear from people who understand the issues, and separate some of the facts from the fiction. Based on the conversation that took place, we believe we accomplished that. Our panel brought together experts in workforce development, engineering, economic development and electric infrastructure. They talked candidly about both the opportunities and challenges that come with data center development—what these projects require, how they operate and what communities need to consider when evaluating them. Especially encouraging were the questions from the audience. People wanted to know about electric capacity and water usage, but they also asked about jobs, economic impact and what communities can do to prepare for large-scale investment. It was exactly the kind of conversation we hoped the Summit would generate.

people to ask questions and draw their own conclusions. And data centers certainly won’t be the last complicated issue Longview faces. Technology is changing quickly, and so is our economy. As new opportunities come our way, we’ll have decisions to make about infrastructure, workforce, growth and the kind of community we want Longview to be. The better informed we are, the better those decisions will be. Thank you to our panelists for sharing their expertise and to everyone who attended and participated in the discussion. We also appreciate

Data centers have become a hot topic, and like a lot of complicated issues today, the conversation can quickly get reduced to headlines, social media posts and talking points. There are legitimate questions surrounding these projects, and those questions deserve good answers.

AEP Southwestern Electric Power Company, our Title Sponsor, and JOTS

That’s where the Chamber has an important role to play.

this one — not because we expect everyone in the room to agree, but

We don’t need to tell people what to think. We can bring the right people into the room, provide credible information and create opportunities for

because bringing people together, asking good questions and listening to

Rentals, our Panelist Planning Session Sponsor, for helping make the Summit possible. The Chamber will continue to create opportunities for conversations like

informed perspectives is how communities make better decisions. H . E . A . R .T. R E P O R T 2 0 2 6

BOLD LEA D ERS H I P. F UT URE FO C US ED.

PREPARING FOR WHAT COMES

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BOLD LEA D ERS H I P. F UT URE FO C US ED.

In 2019, Chuck King, owner of the Chick-fil-A franchise in Longview, was serving as chairman of the Longview Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. During one of our conversations, he asked me two questions that stayed with me: “What are your plans for the future, and how can the Executive Committee help you design the path forward?” Those questions started a process that would eventually shape one of the most important responsibilities of my career. That year, we developed the Chamber’s succession plan. I did not have a firm retirement date, but in the back of my mind, I knew 2026 was the year I wanted to begin considering what came next. My goal was never simply to announce my retirement and walk away. I wanted to leave the Chamber strong, preserve the momentum we had built, and give its next CEO the opportunity to lead successfully. By the time my husband, Brett, retired in 2024 following his career as an executive with American National Bank, I realized the Chamber’s succession plan was only part of the preparation I needed to do. I also needed a personal transition plan. After nearly 40 years in the chamber profession, I have watched many entrepreneurs launch businesses. I have seen some succeed and others fail, often because passion alone was not enough. I knew that if I wanted to build a meaningful next chapter, I needed to approach it with the same discipline I would bring to any major organizational decision. I hired a business coach and began working through what I wanted my future to look like. I wanted to be ready to successfully depart an organization I love and leave it in good hands. I also wanted to take care of myself emotionally, spiritually, physically, and financially. After completing my first year with my coach, I found peace in what my next chapter could become. I also determined that December 2026 was the right time to conclude my service as CEO of the Longview Chamber of Commerce. Since announcing the decision, several people have asked how I am doing. The honest answer is that it depends on the day and sometimes the moment. The peace is constant. I know the timing is right, and I believe the Chamber is prepared. The anticipation of change is where the anxiety sometimes sets in. I was raised in a family that firmly believes in taking our thoughts captive and giving them to God. I am holding tightly to that right now. Prepare. Do the best I can. Trust. And wait. That has become my approach to this transition.

AN UNEXPECTED CAREER People often ask how I found my way into chamber work. The truth is, I never imagined this career when I finished college. I had two bachelor’s degrees, including marketing, and I was going to conquer the world. At least that was the plan. I was interested in fashion design and enjoyed working as a buyer for a high-end retailer. I dreamed of becoming

a designer. There were only two small problems: fabric dyes gave me migraines, and I hated to sew. The economy and retail industry were also changing. Banks and savings and loans were failing, oil prices had dropped, and recession signs were emerging. High-end retailers began consolidating their buying operations in cities such as Dallas and New York. As a single mother, I did not want to relocate.

I shifted into wholesale retail and helped open some of the first outlet stores in Oklahoma. The store I managed was in Midwest City near Tinker Air Force Base. The president of the local chamber was the only female chamber president in Oklahoma at the time, and she decided to take me under her wing. Before long, she was encouraging me to consider chamber work. She believed the profession offered a place where businesswomen could establish themselves, develop leadership skills, and make a difference. The rest, as they say, is history. I entered the chamber profession in the fall of 1986 and joined the Longview Chamber in April 2005. I walked into a good organization with a strong foundation. My predecessor had left the Chamber in sound financial condition, and I benefited greatly from that stewardship. There were also a few challenges waiting for us.

TAKING CARE OF WHAT WE WERE GIVEN The Chamber building was constructed for the organization in 1950. When I arrived, parts of it were infested with termites. Walls had to come down and be rebuilt. Over the years, we replaced roofs, HVAC systems, the furnace, and much more. Today, the building is in very good condition. That may not be the most glamorous accomplishment of my career, but it gives me tremendous satisfaction. Dave will not begin his tenure by dealing with the physical problems I inherited. He can focus his energy on leading the organization forward. The condition of the building represents something larger to me. Leadership means taking care of what has been entrusted to you, strengthening it, and leaving it better prepared for the person who comes next. That belief has guided much of our work over the past two decades.

“

Together, Chamber leaders helped regain Longview’s Main Street designation, which the City of Longview now maintains. The peace is We led the development of constant. I wayfinding signage across know the timing the community. We formed is right, and the Chamber Foundation I believe the and helped create the Chamber East Texas Coalition. We is prepared.” strengthened the Chamber’s reputation as a pro-business leader locally, regionally, statewide, and nationally.

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BOLD LEA D ERS H I P. F UT URE FO C US ED.

In 2012, the Chamber earned five-star accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a distinction we have worked hard to maintain. We were also named Chamber of the Year in our market size by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.

proposed decisions could affect employers and, consequently, their employees and families.

Those recognitions matter, but they were never the ultimate goal. They affirmed that our systems, governance, programs, advocacy, financial practices, and service to members met a high standard. More importantly, they reflected years of shared work by board members, volunteers, staff, and community partners.

We have championed local bond elections. We have testified before legislative committees and worked rigorously to support good legislation and stop proposals that would harm businesses. We have signed on to lawsuits and served as a lead plaintiff alongside the U.S. Chamber of Commerce when federal regulations threatened our members. We regularly take delegations to Austin and Washington, D.C., to learn, build relationships, and advocate for East Texas priorities.

There is no such thing as a solo accomplishment in chamber work.

That work is not always comfortable.

“During my tenure as Chairman, our Chamber was recognized as one of the top performing Chambers in Texas, and even in the USA. This was a testament to the TEAM that Kelly had created, a well-thought out operational plan and their combined commitment to excellence.” – Richard Manley, Past Chair

A mentor once told me, “If someone is not upset with you for leading on difficult issues, you probably are not doing your job.”

REMEMBERING WHY CHAMBERS EXIST Having spent almost 40 years in this profession, I have watched chambers evolve, lose their way, and find their purpose again. During the 1980s, many chambers moved away from their primary responsibility of representing business interests before government and protecting the conditions needed for job creation. Some became known primarily for what I call the pageant, parade, and party syndrome.

Based on some of the phone calls and emails I have received through the years, I guess I did my job. Advocacy does not require us to be disagreeable, but it does require us to be clear. It means listening to different perspectives, finding common ground when possible, and having the courage to speak when an issue could affect jobs, investment, or the future of our community. The Chamber’s work has never been about advancing one person, one company, or one political party. It is about bringing business and community leaders together around the shared goal of creating a place where people and businesses can prosper.

There is nothing wrong with celebrations, parades, festivals, or community events. They contribute to quality of life and create a sense of place. But chambers were formed for a larger purpose: to represent the interests of business, protect the local economic environment, and help companies thrive, invest, and create jobs.

“Kelly Hall’s retirement marks the conclusion of an extraordinary era of leadership for our Chamber of Commerce and our community. Throughout her remarkable tenure, Kelly has been a steadfast advocate for local businesses, bringing together business leaders, fostering meaningful partnerships, and helping shape a stronger, more vibrant economic future.” – Chuck King, Past Chair

Over the past 20 years, I am especially proud of the role the Longview Chamber has played in strengthening advocacy.

LEADERSHIP BEGINS WITH THE HEART

We work closely with elected officials, not simply to tell them what we think, but to help them ask better questions and understand how

“

There is no such thing as a solo accomplishment in chamber work.”

Several years ago, a chamber peer asked me how I had become a GOAT. I thought he was talking about my physique. I have never had the perfect “look,” but I have always tried to present myself professionally. I immediately became a little defensive. He quickly explained that GOAT meant “greatest of all time.” His question stopped me in my tracks. What an incredible compliment. He was serious, and he wanted to understand my approach to leadership. My answer was that it begins with the heart. Leadership requires a willingness to keep learning. Take what you learn and test it. Keep what works. Evaluate what does not. Be willing to shift when circumstances change, but do not break things unnecessarily. Build on strengths. Build people up. Train and develop everyone around you, and make sure they have the resources they need to be successful. Most importantly, remain focused on others. The moment I make leadership about me, I have lost my way. I was raised in an environment where failure was not an option. As I have matured, I have learned that does not mean we will never make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. The mindset is that a mistake does not have to be the end of the story. We acknowledge it, learn from it, build from it, and move forward.

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BOLD LEA D ERS H I P. F UT URE FO C US ED.

I have certainly made my share. Some lessons came easily. Others were painful. Each challenge allowed me to grow personally and professionally. Through it all, I have tried to remain curious, keep learning, surround myself with capable people, and never forget who the work was intended to serve.

PREPARING FOR A FUTURE WE CANNOT PREDICT As proud as I am of what the Chamber has accomplished, I am equally proud of how its board is preparing for the future. Traditional strategic planning remains important. Goals, performance measures, and accountability matter. But a strategic plan cannot become a fixed document that assumes the future will unfold exactly as expected. The world around our members is changing too quickly. Chambers must learn to recognize early signals of change, test assumptions, consider different scenarios, and adjust their plans when conditions shift. They must help business and community leaders look beyond the most immediate issue and consider what could come next. That is why strategic foresight has become such an important part of my work and why I believe it is part of the future of chambers. Our board is beginning to move beyond asking, “What is our plan?” We are also asking, “What could change? What are we assuming? What might we be missing? What should we do now to be better prepared?” That discipline will help the Chamber protect the business environment, respond to emerging challenges, and recognize opportunities before they become obvious. It also gives me confidence that the organization is prepared to keep learning long after I leave.

A SUCCESSION PLAN THAT WORKED The succession plan established in 2019 has worked exactly as we hoped it would. The board conducted a thoughtful external search while recognizing that we had a strong internal candidate. The goal was not to find someone who would lead exactly as I have led. It was to identify the person best prepared to guide the Longview Chamber into its next chapter.

check-ins but expanded it to make sure we were talking through responsibilities, decisions, relationships, historical context, and the issues he will soon own. My goal is that when January 1 arrives, our members will experience continuity, not disruption. Dave should not have to spend his first months searching for information, trying to understand unfinished decisions, or discovering important relationships that were never transferred. Successful succession should honor what has been built while creating room for new leadership, new ideas, and new opportunities. Dave is not stepping in to preserve my chapter. He has been selected to write the Chamber’s next one. “The Chamber has never been about one leader — it has always been about serving our members and strengthening our community. Kelly has left this organization exceptionally well prepared, and I consider it a privilege to build on that legacy. My commitment is to listen carefully, lead with clarity, and help ensure the Longview Chamber continues to be an indispensable partner in the success of our businesses and our region.” – David Jochum, Incoming President and CEO

MY OWN NEXT CHAPTER Retiring from the Chamber does not mean retiring from meaningful work. I am excited to devote more time to strategic foresight, governance, leadership development, and writing. Through Clayton Rose Group, I plan to help board-driven organizations develop foresight as an ongoing discipline, strengthen governance, and make better decisions in changing conditions. I also see an opportunity to help chambers, cities, counties, colleges, and other organizations build stronger advocacy networks. Many small and midsized communities do not have a dedicated government affairs professional, yet they face decisions involving energy, education, workforce, healthcare, water, infrastructure, and economic development. They need ways to identify common ground, communicate clearly, and work together.

Dave Jochum emerged from that process as the right leader and has accepted the CEO position effective January 1, 2027. Dave knows the organization, understands our members, and has built strong relationships throughout the community. He respects the Chamber’s history without being constrained by it. Most importantly, he is ready to lead in his own way. Dave and I have used a structured agenda for our weekly meetings throughout the transition. We retained the basic EOS format for our

“

Leadership requires a willingness to keep learning. Take what you learn and test it. Keep what works. Evaluate what does not. Be willing to shift when circumstances change, but do not break things unnecessarily.” H . E . A . R .T. R E P O R T 2 0 2 6

BOLD LEA D ERS H I P. F UT URE FO C US ED.

WHAT I WILL CARRY WITH ME When I reflect on my years in Longview, I do not think first about awards, buildings, programs, or even advocacy victories. I think about people. I think about board chairs who trusted me enough to ask hard questions and challenge my thinking. I think about directors and volunteers who gave their time because they believed in Longview. I think about elected officials and community partners who stayed at the table even when we disagreed. I think about the remarkable staff members who turned ideas into action, served our members, worked through difficult seasons, and cared deeply about getting the work right. I think about Chamber members who invested their resources and reputations in an organization built around the belief that we can accomplish more together than any of us can accomplish alone.

I am also looking forward to pouring myself into my third book.

I also think about my family and the sacrifices they made so I could answer late-night calls, travel, attend one more meeting, and give this work my full attention.

On a more personal level, I need to give greater attention to my health and well-being. For too long, those have been pushed behind the demands of work. I am learning to treat my well-being as one of my top priorities, not something I will get around to when everything else is finished.

Serving as CEO of the Longview Chamber of Commerce has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I am grateful for the opportunity, proud of what we built together, and confident that the Chamber is ready for what comes next.

I am excited. I am peaceful. I am emotional. I am nervous. Sometimes I am all four in the same day.

The organization is strong. The succession plan worked. Dave is prepared to lead.

That feels honest.

Now it is time for both of us to begin our next chapters.

Digital Advertising Agency

join the revolution

Marketing Like No Other

213 N Fredonia, St Ste 290 Longview TX

starfishadage.agency

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BOLD LEA D ERS H I P. F UT URE FO C US ED.

NEW MEMBERS

Bold Leadership. Future Focused.

CLICK ON business names to link to Chamber directory information or link directly to their business website. Anderson Elite Realty 4001 Technology Center, Suite 204 Longview, TX, 75605 andersoneliterealtyco.com Bark N Bubbles 1201 W Loop 281 Ste 400 Longview, TX, 75604 barknbubbleslongview.com Children’s Health 3206 N 4th St, Suite 101 Longview, TX, 75605 childrens.com Credit Union of Texas 107 E Marshall Street Gilmer, TX, 75644 cutx.org Designer Accents 1422 McCann Rd Longview, TX, 75601-3851 designeraccents.biz Dominique Spigner, LLC 2010 Gilmer Rd, Suite 105-106 Longview, TX, 75604 dominiquespignerllc.com DXP Enterprises 4419 W Loop 281 Longview, TX, 75604 dxpaircompressor.com/contact/ Exponential Impact Strategies, LLC 24155 Bogey Lane Gladewater, TX, 75647 Directory Listing Flowco 911 W Loop 281 Longview, TX, 75604 flowco-inc.com Good Steward Holistic and Refillery 812 E Methvin St Longview, TX, 75601 goodsteward.online Grand Catering East Texas 1320 Frankie Lane Longview, TX, 75604 Facebook Hampton Inn & Suites Longview North 3044 N Eastman Rd Longview, TX, 75605 hilton.com/longview-north/

John Durden State Farm Insurance Agent 123 Gilmer Rd, Ste. 1 Longview, TX, 75604 myagentbigjohn.com Longview Community Foundation 3000 H.G. Mosley Parkway Longview, TX, 75605 longviewcommunityfoundation.org National Truck Stop 15481 FM 968 W Longview, TX, 75602 Directory Listing Professional Sitter Services 119 W Tyler St Longview, TX, 75601 professionalsitterservices.com Redline Execution Integrity, LLC dba RXI Group 596 Laforge Road Hallsville, TX, 75650 rxigroup.us

Anniversaries

2026 MILESTONE CHAMBER MEMBER

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 5 Years

Conterra Networks

Keeprite Refrigeration, Inc.

Kilgore College

Hope’s Closet

Roadrunner Charters

Young Life Longview

GCI “When Training Matters”

10 Years Gordy Roofing Inc. Perfect Catering

35 Years

Whataburger Restaurants

Global Graphics Inc

15 Years

Plano Marine of East Texas

20 Years

Evergreen At Longview / Longview Senior Community

40 Years

Alco Air Cooling , Heating & Plumbing Ledbetter Plumbing

45 Years

Pine Tree Independent School District

Southern States Equipment 4935 Whitehurst Drive Longview, TX, 75601 ssequips.com Summit Air Conditioning and Heating P.O. Box 5351 Longview, TX, 75608 summitacservices.com Tapshot 2630 Bill Owens Pkwy Longview, TX, 75604 tapshot.co Waste Connections 2107 State Highway 135N Kilgore, TX, 75662 wasteconnections.com/kilgore Whispering Pines Lodge 2131 Alpine Rd Longview, TX, 75601 whisperingpinescare.com www.reallyquickloans.com 6639 US Highway 271 South Gilmer, TX, 75645 reallyquickloans.com

Applying for jobs and hiring employees can be difficult and time consuming. But, with Express Employment Professionals, finding the right job or filling the right position is easy. Call, come in, or go online today to see what Express can do for you. (903) 663-3559 101 West Hawkins Parkway, Suite 4 Longview, TX 75605 ExpressProsLongview.com

H . E . A . R .T. R E P O R T 2 0 2 6

BOLD LEA D ERS H I P. F UT URE FO C US ED.

Ribbon Cuttings June / July 2026 TO LINK TO CHAMBER DIRECTORY INFORMATION OR LINK DIRECTLY TO THEIR BUSINESS WEBSITE

Bent’s Coffee and Donuts 5651 US 259 Longview TX 75605 Facebook Page

Griffith Law Office 1518 Colony Circle Longview TX 75604 griffithlawtyler.com

Children’s Health 3206 N 4th St, Suite 101 Longview TX 75605 childrens.com

Tapshot 2630 Bill Owens Pkwy Longview TX 75604 tapshot.co

Good Steward Holistic and Refillery 812 E Methvin St Longview TX 75601 goodsteward.online

Telco Plus Credit Union 423 Gilmer Road Longview TX 75604 telcoplus.org

2026 Chamber Ribbon Cutting Sponsor 16 W W W . L O N G V I E W C H A M B E R . C O M

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BOLD LEA D ERS H I P. F UT URE FO C US ED.

Ribbon Cuttings June / July 2026 TO LINK TO CHAMBER DIRECTORY INFORMATION OR LINK DIRECTLY TO THEIR BUSINESS WEBSITE

Frenchmon & Nettie M Pippins Wellness Center 506 W. Methvin Street Longview TX 75601 pippinswellnesscenter.org

2026 Chamber Ribbon Cutting Sponsor

2026 EXECUTIVE CONNECT SERIES

SEPT 16 Karen Grosz

NOV 18

Dale Wilsher Raikes

10 AM - 2 PM • PINECREST COUNTRY CLUB SERIES SPONSOR

KAREN GROSZ

ST R AT E G I C P RO G R A M PA R T N E R S H I P S P O N S O R

DALE WILSHER RAIKES S I L V E R S P O N S O R S BROOKSHIRES FOOD STORE

HEARD, MCELROY, & VESTAL, LLC

TRC SILVER SPONSOR

HENRY & PETERS, P.C.

$60 PER WORKSHOP/MEMBER CL I CK H ER E TO LE ARN MORE & RE GIST E R

H . E . A . R .T. R E P O R T 2 0 2 6

BOLD LEA D ERS H I P. F UT URE FO C US ED.

Medicare Supplement Insurance Medicare Advantage Plans

Plans Part D Prescription Drug Plans Individual & Family Health Insurance

CALL A LICENSED AGENT TODAY OR VISIT ONE OF OUR LOCATIONS: LONGVIEW HQ 903-295-4300 1203 W Loop 281 Longview, TX 75604

JUDSON RD LOCATION 903-230-0771 2500 Judson Rd., STE C Longview, TX 75605

TYLER LOCATION 903-525-9369 5380 Old Bullard Rd., STE 200 Tyler, TX 75703

Calling the number above will direct you to a licensed sales agent. Not aﬃliated with or endorsed by the Government or Federal Medicare Program. This is a solicitation for insurance.

DNC

1982

FIND THE “BUG”

UNIQUELY LONGVIEW 2027edition

FACILITY SERVICES Solutions we provide Daily Janitorial Services

Window Washing

Reach Your Audience by Advertising Locally

Floor Care (Strip/Wax, Buff, Polish)

Parking Lot Striping

Professional Ad Design Services Included!

Carpet Cleaning and Extraction

Soft-Pressure Washing

Disinfection and Sanitizing

Post Construction Clean-up

Don’t have a marketing department? Let Forbes & Butler assist with your ad by providing: Award-winning Ad Design • Copywriting • Professional Photography

UL MISSION Promote Longview’s Uniqueness.

UL VISION

Education

Commercial

Industrial

Municipalities

Healthcare

Collaborate with community partners and utilize various forms of print and digital media to highlight aspects of our community that are Uniquely Longview.

UL PARTNERS Longview Chamber of Commerce City of Longview

DNC Facility Services is a second-generation, family-owned commercial service company dedicated to creating clean, healthy environments for public and private sector clients, with deep roots in the Ark-La-Tex region.

Longview Economic Development Corporation Longview Convention & Visitor’s Bureau Gregg County

Backed by over four decades of experience, we deliver reliable, compliant facility services wherever our clients need us.

Arts!Longview

Supply Your Own Ad for a Discount Receive a 15% discount when providing your own print-ready digital files! Digital files must include high-resolution photographs and meet standard printing specifications.

Digital Ads on UniquelyLongview.com ONLY 10 DIGITAL AD SPACES AVAILABLE

LIMITED AVAILABILITY

A digital ad on UniquelyLongview.com runs for the entire year beside a feature article and includes a link to your website. Digital ads can be video, animated, or static.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2026

AD SALES DEADLINE

OCTOBER 15, 2026

SUPPLIED ADS DUE

JANUARY 2027

MAGAZINE DELIVERY

For advertising information, please contact Shelly Butler at 903-753-2098

FORBES&BUTLER v i s u a l c o m m u n i c a t i o n s i n c 104 W. METHVIN • LONGVIEW, TX 75601 903.753.2098 • forbesbutler.com

Creating CLEAN HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS in Longview

CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE ESTIMATE: (903) 694-9780

Photography is included at no additional charge. Spreads and full-page ads include up to two (2) photographs; 1/2-page and 1/4-page ads include one photograph. Photography is shot at the same time and location.

UNIQUELY LONGVIEW uniquelylongview.com

Terms & Conditions: All advertisements are subject to acceptance by Publisher. Publisher is not liable, beyond the cost of advertising space, for errors appearing in advertisements produced by Publisher. Publisher reserves the right to decline or reject any advertisement for any reason, at any time, without liability, even though previously acknowledged or accepted. Each advertiser and or advertising agency assumes full liability for all content, including text, illustrations, and digital photography, of advertisements printed, and also assumes responsibility for any claims arising therefrom made against Publisher, and agrees to pay Publisher for any expense or loss suffered by reason of such claims.

www.DNCFacilityServices.com

H.E.A.R.T. Inserts Are you a new member?

For more information about advertising contact Morgan Wilcox | mwilcox@longviewtx.com |

18 W W W . L O N G V I E W C H A M B E R . C O M

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Be the first Chamber member to find the hidden logo ‘bug’ in this issue of H.E.A.R.T. and your company will get a 1/4 page ad in the next issue! When you find it email – mwilcox@longviewtx.com You must identify the page # and exact location of the ‘bug’. The first person to correctly find it and email Morgan will be notified. You must be a member of the Longview Chamber of Commerce to get a free 1/4 page ad.

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