Board of Directors

Dear Chamber Members,

A year ago, I asked us to show up and choose: to engage, to lead, and to invest in something bigger than ourselves. I could never have imagined how fully this Chamber would answer that call.

Looking back, nearly every accomplishment of this year began the same way, with people showing up and connecting in meaningful moments. A lunch with Tim Winebarger, where he shared his heart for bringing aspiring business leaders together, became the Chamber Business Collective. A coffee with Casey Foster about engaging college students became NEXTyler. A meeting with James Sheridan and Jeff Johnston, turned into the creation of a new Chair Nominee position, a Chair Advisory Council, and a Past Chair Council. In addition, we successfully completed the first full year of Future Leaders of Tyler, planning for our first State of Agriculture luncheon, and the Young Professionals Summit on November 16. As a result of these initiatives, there is now a way to plug into the Chamber anywhere from age 17 or 107.

None of this happens without people who said yes to real work and little recognition. Thank you to our council and committee chairs, our Contact Club, and our Chamber staff, who make the rest of us look good. We said some hard goodbyes and some warm hellos this year, and I'm grateful for everyone who has served. Henry Bell has led this Chamber faithfully for 37 years, and in our 126th year, it has never been more relevant. Grant Ingram, the Robin to Henry's Batman, has shown us just a preview of what he is capable of.

Pat Stacey told me at the beginning of the year my role wasn't only to be Chairman but to be the "Cheer-man." It has been a true joy to cheer you on this year.

When we asked ourselves 12 months ago what success would look like a year later, my answer was simple: I showed up, and I chose love. Each of you gets to decide whether this was a good year for the Chamber. When I look back, I see how many people showed up and how many chose love. Let's keep doing both and leave this Chamber and our community better than we found it.

Thank you for the honor of serving as your Chair.

 

Tom Perkins

2026 Board Chair, Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce