Chamber CEO set to retire

NewsPress Staff

May 26, 2007 07:43 pm

— John Fowler, CCE, President and CEO of the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce, has announced that he will retire on November 1, after 13 years as the business association’s chief executive officer and 34 years of service in the Chamber field.
“This seems a good time to step aside,” said Fowler. “Stillwater is changing and growing. The business community is expanding at a record pace, and the chamber is in excellent financial condition. Our five-year strategic plan is on track to meet or exceed its goals. The organization is fortunate to have capable volunteer leadership that will carry this city into the future.”
He continued, “My career has given me the opportunity to work with hundreds of enterprises, small and large, and in the process help create new jobs and opportunities. It was especially rewarding to be able to return to Stillwater after a 16 year absence. I hope I’ve made a small contribution to Stillwater and the state of Oklahoma.”
The Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors Chair Deborah Mosier said, “We are fortunate to have had John’s leadership and contributions to the community during his time in Stillwater. His leadership and vision for the Forward Stillwater initiative was definitely a key part of the success of the program and for economic development.”
Fowler, who also serves as Executive Vice President of the Stillwater Industrial Foundation, is a Certified Chamber Executive. He has served as chief executive of local and state chambers in Oklahoma, Colorado and Kansas.
Fowler received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Oklahoma and a master’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He is a graduate of the Institute for Organization Management at Southern Methodist University and Academy of Organization Management at Notre Dame.
Incoming Chamber Board Chair, Dr. Joseph Alexander, will chair the search committee for the next CEO of the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce.
“A search committee has been formed, with several past chairs and a representative of the Stillwater Industrial Foundation, to begin the process of recruitment,” Alexander said.
“The committee will take time to find and recruit the right candidate to follow the dedication and leadership John has provided in all aspects of Chamber work, especially economic development.”
The Stillwater Chamber of Commerce is one of the state’s oldest and largest business organizations. Currently the Chamber represents more than 800 area business working together to provide a strong a healthy economy and enhance the quality of life in Stillwater.