Board of Directors

SUMMERTIME 2025

It’s hard to believe my time serving as your Chamber Board Chair is coming to a close in just a few weeks. As I write this letter and reflect on this past Chamber year, I am eternally grateful for the confidence you placed in me, and I have done my best to fulfill your expectations. I am so thankful for the new friendships made, and the opportunity to work with so many great folks in our community.  My hope is that you all have enjoyed serving with me, as much as I have enjoyed serving with YOU!

When my year began last October, I set several goals to accomplish during my term; emphasize and celebrate our 125th Chamber anniversary, continue implementing the strategic plan the Chamber created and approved in 2024, welcome and encourage our new Chamber COO, Grant Ingram, complete a successful Membership Drive Experience, and continue to offer relevant, educational and enjoyable programs and events.

I am happy and thankful to report to you that we were able to accomplish these tasks. I say “we” because all of these tasks required a team effort. That team was composed of our excellent Chamber staff, our dedicated volunteers, and YOU, our highly valued and appreciated Chamber members. I am so encouraged by the trajectory the Chamber is on, and I know that path will continue with my successor, Tom Perkins, with help from our excellent Chamber staff, led by the legendary Henry Bell.  Tom has recruited an All Star team for his Council Chairs, Treasurer, and Chair Elect, and we have some outstanding new board members YOU voted for this year, to add to our already fantastic group of current Directors. I emphasize YOU, because our members are at the heart of all we do.  THANK YOU for investing in our business community through your membership in the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, one of the largest and most vibrant Chambers in the nation!

I look forward to seeing you in person at our annual meeting on Tuesday, October 7th at 11:30 at the W.T. Brookshire Conference Center, where we will formally induct Tom, he will share his vision for the Chamber over the next 12 months, and we will introduce his team.

As I complete this chapter of my life, please know this is not “goodbye”, rather, “see you soon”, as I fully intend to keep on serving this community.  It has always been, and continues to be, one of my greatest joys to serve my fellow citizens of this special place we call home - Tyler, Texas. Thanks again for the opportunity to serve YOU, and may God continue to bless our community, as He has done so richly these past 125 years.

Grateful To Serve,

James Sheridan  |  2025 Board Chair