BUSINESS REVIEW LITTLE APPLE
April 2019, Volume 15, Issue 4, www.manhattan.org
A publication of the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce
Jason Smith eager to embrace visionary progress as Chamber CEO
In his first two weeks at the Chamber, President and Chief Executive Officer Jason Smith has taken a measured approach to meet with business leaders and communicate his goals and objectives. Smith continues to assess all current conditions that involve Manhattan Area Chamber membership and business landscape. Smith was announced as Lyle Butler’s successor in January, and assumed the position on March 25. His dynamic career progression shows calculated gains toward economic development and quality of life fields in multiple Midwest-area demographic approximations to resemble this region.
His most recent professional contributions include Norman Economic Development Coalition, where Smith served on the board for the Oklahoma Economic Development Council. Raised in Oklahoma, Smith spent great amounts of time in Norman which gives him a firm affinity for communities with strong university presence. “There is something about university cities and the vibrancy of those communities,” Smith said. “It was something that I sensed immediately when I visited Manhattan. There is also a tremendous sense of collaboration between the university, city and business community. “That is something that is rare and was very attractive about the opportunity to move here.”
His career arc includes Abilene, Texas, Lincoln, Neb., and McAlester, Okla. A 10-year stay in Lincoln as VP Economic Development was an early career pinnacle as Smith contributed to the Nebraska capital’s selection as the nation’s best economic development program by Business Facilities (2012). Also in that Chamber position, Smith cooperated jointly
with a 14-member oversight committee to Lincoln Partnership for ED, and served as president of the Nebraska Economic Developers Council.
Regional collaboration leads to vital successes such as NBAF. Smith observes this collective vision can set the tone for future endeavors. “It has made the Chamber and community very aspirational about what we can all achieve together,” Smith said. “There is an incredible amount of visionary thinking that is taking place in this community. We have to think big to achieve big things. “At the same time, I am very impressed with the staff at the Chamber and their abilities to take these visionary ideas and tactically make them a reality. There is nothing really holding us back from becoming an incredibly strong economic player in the Midwest.” Smith brings that capacity for significant economic gains along with experience related to military affairs and tourism while Abilene (Texas) Chamber president. His ongoing efforts to meet membership and community business leaders will evolve through upcoming Chamber activities. While a number of things are going on at the Chamber, Smith said the executive committee has looked closely at the rollout and implementation of Region Reimagined, and further enhanced efforts devoted to young professional engagement. “We have a lot of work to do quickly,” Smith said.
“There is something about university cities and the vibrancy of those communities.” “It was something that I sensed immediately when I visited Manhattan. There is also a tremendous sense of collaboration between the university, city and business community. _ Jason Smith