PURPOSE ROOTED IN MOVING LONGVIEW FORWARD
Kelly Hall
CEO
903.237.4004
khall@longviewtx.com
David Jochum
President/COO
903.237.4023
djochum@longviewtx.com
Shawna Stewart
Investor Support
903.237.4000
sstewart@longviewtx.com
Catherine Camp Membership & Retention Coordinator
903.237.4009
ccamp@longviewtx.com
Morgan Wilcox
Business Development & Marketing Manager
903.237.4013
mwilcox@longviewtx.com
2026 CHAMBER EVENTS
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
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
Kurt DeVaney
CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health System
PURPOSE ROOTED IN PURPOSE
MOVING LONGVIEW FORWARD
FORWARD
From workforce alignment to smart economic growth and advocacy wins, the Longview Chamber’s Spring initiatives are turning intention into momentum...advancing prosperity through the H.E.A.R.T. framework and a clear focus on what comes next for our business community.
Spring in East Texas always feels like forward motion. New growth. Clear skies after storms. A reminder that progress is steady when we stay rooted and intentional.
Since November, the Longview Chamber has been exactly that... intentional, focused, future-oriented. Every initiative we’ve advanced ties directly back to our H.E.A.R.T. framework and our commitment to lead people and lead prosperity.
Here’s what we’ve been working on and why it matters.
DRIVING
ECONOMIC VITALITY
We’ve continued to champion smart economic growth in Longview that supports existing businesses while attracting new investment. From redevelopment efforts downtown to facilitating public-private conversations on infrastructure, our team has been working with partners across sectors to remove barriers and unlock opportunity. This includes helping local leaders coordinate around workforce housing, transportation, and sites that support targeted industry growth.
TALENT AND WORKFORCE ALIGNMENT
Workforce remains a top priority and not just in traditional training terms. We’re connecting the dots from schools to employers to careers. That means expanding exposure to local opportunities for students, strengthening post-secondary pathways, and engaging employers in shaping the talent pipeline. We’re also supporting initiatives that address early literacy and basic workforce readiness, because a strong foundation ultimately leads to a stronger workforce locally.
ADVOCACY THAT WORKS
One of our biggest wins recently came through advocacy at the regional and national level. The Chamber joined with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Business Roundtable and other business organizations in challenging the Federal Trade Commission’s expanded Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) rule, a rule that would have imposed significantly greater burdens and costs on companies engaging in mergers and acquisitions. A federal court in Texas agreed, striking down the expanded HSR requirements and vacating
Every initiative we’ve advanced ties directly back to our H.E.A.R.T. framework and our commitment to lead people and lead prosperity.
KELLY HALL CCE, IOM, MSL CEO
the rule on the grounds that the FTC exceeded its authority and failed to justify the cost burdens the rule would have imposed on businesses. This decision, while temporarily stayed to allow the agency to consider an appeal, is a meaningful win for business community stakeholders everywhere, including right here in Longview.
PARTNERSHIPS AND REVENUE STRATEGY
Internally, we’ve been intentional about diversifying revenue and strengthening the Chamber’s financial health so we can deliver more predictable and sustainable value. We’re expanding provider partnerships and exploring new streams of fee-for-service offerings that leverage our expertise without over-relying on membership dues. This balance allows us to stay mission-driven while investing in programs that matter most to business leaders.
MEMBER ENGAGEMENT AND PROGRAM INNOVATION
We’ve broadened how members engage with us, offering more tailored participation options, elevating thought leadership events, and facilitating networking that leads to real business results. From small business roundtables to regional industry forums, the Chamber continues to be a place where people make meaningful connections that power ideas into action.
LOOKING AHEAD WITH CONFIDENCE
The concerns we hear most from business owners center on workforce, regulation, infrastructure, and access to growth capital. Those are not
abstract issues. They are real pressures affecting hiring decisions, expansion plans, and long-term investment.
They are also the exact priorities we are organizing around.
We are not waiting for change to happen around us. We are stepping into conversations early, aligning partners, and helping shape practical solutions. Our focus remains steady: bring the right people to the table, provide clear and accurate information, and drive shared outcomes that strengthen Longview’s competitiveness.
When we lead with clarity and work together with intention, progress follows.
Thank you for your continued partnership, your energy, and your belief in what we can accomplish together. There’s a lot on the horizon, and I’m optimistic about what we will build next.
The Chamber continues to be a place where people make meaningful connections that power ideas into action.
NEW LINEUP. DEEPER SKILLS. STRONGER LEADERS.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CANNOT BE STATIC IN A CHANGING WORLD.
The Longview Chamber’s 40 Under 40 Executive Series has long been a place where rising professionals sharpen their skills, expand their networks, and grow in confidence. In 2026, the series takes a meaningful step forward with an entirely refreshed lineup and a deeper focus on durable leadership skills.
This is not a repeat of prior years. It is an evolution.
WHY DURABLE SKILLS MATTER NOW
SERIES
Technical knowledge changes. Technology advances. Markets shift. Durable skills endure.
Communication. Sound judgment. Collaboration. Adaptability. Disciplined decision-making. Thoughtful use of emerging tools like artificial intelligence. These capabilities strengthen
leaders in every industry, whether they work in banking, manufacturing, healthcare, education, local government, or small business.
Organizations across our region are thinking intentionally about succession planning and leadership depth. The 2026 series was designed with that in mind.
WHAT MAKES 2026 DIFFERENT
This year features all new speakers and fresh content designed to move participants forward.
SESSIONS WILL FOCUS ON:
Ò Understanding how individuals are wired to work and how that impacts team performance
Ò Using AI responsibly and strategically in professional environments
Ò Building strong, accountable, collaborative teams
Ò Developing the mindset required to lead in uncertain and highpressure conditions
Participants will walk away with practical tools they can use immediately inside their organizations.
BUILT FOR EMERGING LEADERS UNDER 40
The 40 Under 40 Executive Series is designed for high-performing professionals under 40 who are ready to grow into greater responsibility. Many employers have supported this program for years, sending supervisors, managers, analysts, engineers, administrators, and department leaders through earlier cohorts.
For those who have participated before, the 2026 series offers new perspectives and advanced learning. For new participants, it provides a strong foundation in leadership development.
A SMART INVESTMENT IN YOUR BENCH
Leadership does not happen by accident. It requires intention. At $175 for the full series bundle, or $60 per individual session, 40 Under 40 remains one of the most cost-effective leadership investments available in our region.
For large organizations with multiple departments, even a small group of participants can create ripple effects across teams. For small and midsized businesses, this is an accessible way to invest in future managers and executives without building a program from scratch.
LEADING PEOPLE. LEADING PROSPERITY.
Strong organizations build strong communities. When employers across Longview invest in their emerging leaders, the impact extends far beyond individual companies.
The 2026 40 Under 40 Executive Series reflects a simple belief: developing people is one of the most important things we can do for the future of our region.
Registration is now open. Employers are encouraged to be intentional about identifying and investing in the next generation of leaders. The future will not slow down. Let’s prepare our leaders to meet it.
Taking East Texas to Washington, D.C.
ADVOCACY IN ACTION IN ACTION
At the Longview Chamber, advocacy isn’t abstract—it’s personal, practical, and rooted in protecting opportunity for local employers. That’s why we’re preparing for our 2026 Washington, D.C. Fly-In, and why this experience sits squarely within our H.E.A.R.T. framework.
From November 8–11, 2026, business leaders from Gregg and Smith Counties will travel to Washington, D.C. to engage directly with members of Congress and their staff. The Fly-In is designed to ensure East Texas has a strong, informed, and unified voice on the federal issues that directly affect our region.
ADVOCACY (A): Showing Up Where Decisions Are Made
The Fly-In provides face-to-face access to federal decision-makers during briefings, congressional meetings, and tours on November 9–10. These conversations focus on real-world issues impacting employers—workforce development, education, infrastructure, regulatory certainty, and economic competitiveness. When business leaders show up together, our message carries weight.
HEALTH (H): Protecting the Business Climate
A healthy business environment depends on policies that support growth, innovation, and stability. By engaging proactively with federal leaders, we help reduce uncertainty and advocate for conditions that allow businesses— and communities—to thrive.
EDUCATION & WORKFORCE (E): Aligning Policy With Reality
Workforce challenges don’t stop at city or state lines. Federal policy plays a significant role in talent pipelines, training programs, and education funding. The Fly-In allows us to connect local workforce needs with national conversations.
REDEVELOPMENT (R): Supporting Long-Term Investment
Federal infrastructure, housing, and economic development decisions directly affect how communities grow and redevelop. This trip helps ensure East Texas priorities are understood as those decisions are shaped.
TALENT (T): Developing Confident Business Leaders
Whether you’re a seasoned advocate or new to the process, the Fly-In is also a leadership experience. The Chamber provides issue briefings and background materials so participants arrive prepared, confident, and ready to represent East Texas well.
This is not a sightseeing trip. It’s a strategic investment in relationships, influence, and the future of our region.
Registration is now open, and space is limited. If you believe business has a role in shaping strong communities and a competitive future, we invite you to join us in Washington, D.C.
GOLF TOURNAMENT SPRING 2026
FRIDAY
MARCH 27, 2026
1:00 - 5:00 pm
TEMPEST GOLF CLUB 568 E Wilkins Rd. | Gladewater
CHAMBER CLA SSIC
SPRIN G 2026
Chamber Classic Golf Tournament
Returns for Spring 2026
The Longview Chamber of Commerce invites members and community partners to tee up for the Chamber Classic Golf Tournament – Spring 2026, taking place on Friday, March 27, 2026, from 1:00 to 5:00 PM at Tempest Golf Club in Gladewater.
The Chamber Classic is one of the Chamber’s signature networking events, bringing together business leaders, sponsors, and community partners for an afternoon of competition, connection, and fun on the course. With 56 registered participants already signed up, the Spring tournament is shaping up to be a strong kickoff to the Chamber’s 2026 golf season. Participants will enjoy a well-organized tournament experience, on-course challenges, and opportunities to build relationships with fellow Chamber members. Please note that players must be present at the end of the tournament to be eligible for prizes.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
The success of the Chamber Classic Golf Tournament would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. The Longview Chamber of Commerce extends sincere thanks to the following partners:
SERIES PRESENTING SPONSOR:
LONGEST DRIVE SPONSOR: FRIEDMAN INDUSTRIES INC
PUTTING GREEN SPONSOR: SOLENIS LLC
HOSPITALITY TENT SPONSORS: BARKSDALE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION - SKYLINE TARRY TITLE
Their continued investment helps make Chamber programs and events possible while strengthening connections across the business community.
For questions about the Chamber Classic Golf Tournament or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Morgan Wilcox at (903) 237-4000
The Chamber Classic Golf Tournament continues to be a favorite Chamber tradition, combining business networking with friendly competition and community engagement. We look forward to seeing our members on the course this spring.
Leadership Longview is the Longview Chamber of Commerce’s premier leadership development program, created to educate, connect, and empower emerging and established leaders across East Texas. Each year, a diverse group of professionals from multiple industries participates in an immersive experience focused on civic engagement, community challenges, and leadership growth.
Over several months, participants gain firsthand exposure to the institutions, issues, and opportunities that shape Longview and Gregg County. Through hands-on learning, relationship building, and meaningful dialogue, Leadership Longview equips participants with the insight and perspective needed to lead with purpose both within their organizations and throughout the community.
The 2025–2026 Class Project
A defining element of Leadership Longview is the annual class project, a collaborative initiative designed to leave a lasting impact on the community. Each class identifies a need where leadership, creativity, and community support come together to create meaningful, long-term change.
This year, the Leadership Longview Class of 2025–2026 is proud to focus its efforts on enhancements at the Gregg County Historical Museum. The project centers on improving exhibits and visitor experiences to better reflect East Texas history while creating a more engaging and educational environment for families, students, and visitors.
Planned improvements include updates to exhibit spaces, refreshed interpretive elements, and enhancements designed to make the museum more accessible and interactive for future generations. The goal is not only
to preserve local history, but to elevate how that history is experienced and shared.
Why It Matters
The Leadership Longview Class Project is designed to create meaningful and lasting impact for our community. These museum enhancements will:
• Engage and educate children through hands-on, interactive learning
• Honor and preserve Gregg County’s rich history and cultural heritage
• Welcome a new generation of visitors, families, and museum patrons
• Expand accessibility and inclusivity for all museum guests
By investing in this project, the Leadership Longview class is helping ensure the Gregg County Historical Museum remains a vibrant and educational destination for decades to come.
Project Open House and Class Graduation
The community is invited to attend a special open house showcasing the completed class project on April 9 at 4 pm, at the Gregg County Historical Museum. This event will provide an opportunity to view the enhancements and celebrate the impact of the Leadership Longview Class of 2025–2026. The class will officially graduate during the Small Business Solutions Luncheon 2026, taking place on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at the Infinity Event Center.
Those interested in supporting the Leadership Longview class project or learning more about how to contribute may contact Morgan Wilcox at mwilcox@longviewtx.com.
WHYINTERCITY TRIPS MAT TER (ANDWHYTHI S ONE IS WORTH SAYING YES TO)
The best ideas don’t usually show up when we’re sitting still.
That’s why InterCity Trips exist.
This fall, a small delegation of business and community leaders will travel to Johnson City, Tennessee for a four-day, highly intentional learning experience. arriving Sunday, September 20, and returning Wednesday, September 23. The trip kicks off with a Sunday evening welcome reception, followed by two full days of site visits, conversations, and behind-thescenes access designed to spark new thinking and practical takeaways. This is not a conference.
And it’s definitely not a sightseeing tour.
InterCity Trips are working trips. Every stop, meeting, and conversation is chosen with purpose.
Participants will spend two full days digging into the issues that matter most to East Texas right now, workforce and CTE pathways, housing, downtown redevelopment, talent attraction, entrepreneurship, outdoor recreation, and regional collaboration. You’ll hear directly from the people doing the work, including what they’ve learned the hard way.
One highlight of this year’s trip is a side visit to Kingsport to tour Eastman’s global headquarters, an opportunity to see how a major employer thinks about innovation, workforce pipelines, sustainability, and community partnership at scale. It’s the kind of access you don’t get from a case study or a slide deck.
Johnson City stood out because it’s a community that reinvented itself through vision, partnerships, and a long-term commitment to livability. It’s a place that feels relatable but just far enough ahead to be instructive. From
downtown revitalization and outdoor recreation as an economic driver, to strong alignment between healthcare, higher education, and industry, Johnson City offers lessons that translate.
And that’s the real value.
InterCity Trips aren’t about copying another community. They’re about broadening perspective, challenging assumptions, and bringing home ideas that fit our context. Many of the initiatives that shape Longview today can trace their origins back to conversations that began on these trips. There’s also something powerful about learning together. Traveling as a group builds relationships, shared understanding, and momentum among leaders who don’t always cross paths day to day. Those connections continue long after the trip ends.
If you’re curious about what’s possible, interested in how other regions are navigating growth, and willing to invest a few days in becoming a betterinformed leader, this trip is for you.
Seats are intentionally limited. The conversations are real. And the ideas tend to stick.
InterCity Trip 2026
September 20 - 23, 2026
STATE OF THE REGION 2026 BRINGS BUSINESS LEADERS TOGETHER TO ADDRESS EAST TEXAS’ WATER FUTURE
The Longview Chamber of Commerce will convene business and community leaders for State of the Region 2026 on Thursday, March 26, 2026, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM at Infinity Event Center in Longview.
This year’s State of the Region focuses entirely on water, not as a distant or abstract issue, but as a real and near-term priority for Gregg County and East Texas. As population growth, economic development, and environmental pressures continue to increase, decisions surrounding water availability, infrastructure, and policy will play a defining role in the region’s future prosperity.
State of the Region serves as a platform for collaboration, bringing together business, civic, and community leaders to better understand the challenges ahead and explore how thoughtful planning and sound policy can help protect and sustain East Texas for generations to come.
REGIONAL PERSPECTIVES ON A CRITICAL ISSUE
The 2026 program features a lineup of regional experts who will provide environmental context, planning insight, and practical perspective on why this conversation matters now.
Caddo Lake Institute Executive Director Laura-Ashley Overdyke will offer environmental and regional context, drawing on the Institute’s 25-year history of science-based research and conservation efforts across East Texas and Northwest Louisiana.
Representing the East Texas Council of Governments, David Scott will share a regional planning and coordination perspective, highlighting how communities and local governments can work together to address shared water challenges.
LOOKING AHEAD
Bill Stoudt will lead the conservation discussion, connecting the dots on why water policy, stewardship, and proactive planning are urgent priorities for Gregg County and the broader East Texas region.
Together, these voices will frame water not only as an environmental concern, but as a foundational economic and quality-of-life issue that impacts workforce growth, business expansion, and long-term regional resilience.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
State of the Region 2026 is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors:
GOLD SPONSORS: SILVER SPONSORS:
Their continued investment reflects a shared commitment to strengthening East Texas’ business climate and supporting long-term regional success.
State of the Region 2026 offers more than a snapshot of where the region stands today. It creates a forwardlooking conversation centered on collaboration, informed decision-making, and opportunity, reinforcing the Chamber’s H.E.A.R.T. Framework and its focus on building a resilient, connected, and thriving East Texas.
For more information or registration details, contact Shawna Stewart at (903) 237-4000, or REGISTER ONLINE HERE
The Longview Chamber of Commerce looks forward to welcoming members and regional partners for an impactful afternoon focused on the future of East Texas.
Ribbon Cuttings December 2025/January 2026
RocketFast Car Wash 416 E Loop 281 Longview TX 75605 rocketfastcarwash.com
NEW MEMBERS
Tree ISD Career & Technical
900 Northwest Drive Longview TX 75604 ptisd.org
CLICK ON business names to link to Chamber directory information or link directly to their business website.
Applied Electronics and Engineering (Batteries Plus & Bulbs) (856) 470-8820
2019 Toler Road Apt 912 Longview, TX, 75605 batteriesplus.com
B & D Electrical LP (903) 297-3001
206 Simms St Longview, TX, 75604 Business Directory
Clean Cut General Contractors
- Clean Cut Roofing (903) 291-0848
P O Box 494 White Oak, TX, 75693 cleancutroofing.com
Converge Church (903) 720-6939 PO Box 9276
Longview, TX, 75604 convergelongview.com
Dollar General Distribution (615) 598-0240
3300 E George Richey Road Longview, TX, 75605 dollargeneral.com
HELM Leadership Group, LLC. (512) 714-4356
309 Ithaca Drive Longview, TX, 75604 leadwithhelm.com
Holt Law Firm (903) 361-4212
1105 Judson Road Longview, TX, 75601 jasonholtlawfirm.com
JetPros (903) 300-5533
321 Terminal Circle Longview, TX, 75603 Facebook
Jones Supply & Manufacturing (903) 643-3160
13749 TX-149 Longview, TX, 75603 jonessupplyandmanufacturing.com
Luckycharm
Primary Care PLLC (903) 488-2273
2309 Gilmer Rd, Ste 101 Longview, TX, 75604 luckycharmprimarycare.com
PeeWee Roofing LLC (903) 500-7174 14746 Hwy 322 N Longview, TX, 75603 peeweeroofing.com
POG Cinema Advertising (904) 744-7478
2083 2309 Gilmer Rd Ste 101 Longview, TX, 75604 pogusa.com
Premier Dental Academy of Longview, LLC (903) 241-8006
2800 Gilmer Rd. Ste 106 Longview, TX, 75604 Facebook
Superstar Trailers (903) 353-2910 1301 TX-31 Longview, TX, 75604 superstartrailers.com
UniFirst Corporation (903) 236-4025 P O Box 7393 Longview, TX, 75607 unifirst.com
Yosemite Roofing (903) 360-4145 PO Box 774 Flint, TX, 75762 yosemiteroofing.com
Pine
Education Building
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