andandandandandand## 📌 Summary
As the Director of Information and Statistics at the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce, I supported both business development and IT operations for a 10-person office.
I helped national companies like Mars, Umarex, and Mitsubishi explore and expand into the Fort Smith area by conducting property research and compiling data for relocation proposals.
Alongside economic development work, I managed the office’s technology — including systems, servers, end-user support, and vendor coordination.
My efforts helped bring new businesses to the city and improved day-to-day IT performance in the organization.
📂 Role Overview
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💼 Company: Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce
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📆 Duration: July 2007 - January 2011
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🏢 Employment Type: Part-time for a year, then full-time
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📍 Location: Fort Smith, Arkansas
🎯 Key Responsibilities
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Business Development and Property Research - Researched 55+ RFPs to help companies evaluate Fort Smith for relocation or expansion, including site availability, infrastructure, and incentives.
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Site Selection and Evaluation - Provided detailed property data, market trends, and location analysis to support business decisions.
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Stakeholder Coordination and Data Management - Worked closely with company leaders, developers, and government officials to share relevant data for project planning.
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IT Administration and End-User Support - Handled daily support for computers, printers, internet, and software across the office.
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System and Server Management - Maintained file servers, Microsoft Exchange, and shared drives to ensure smooth operations.
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Vendor and IT Liaison - Coordinated with outside IT vendors for upgrades, system checks, and issue resolution.
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Hardware and Software Maintenance - Installed and managed devices, operating systems, and office applications.
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Data Management and Security - Backed up critical files and ensured secure access to important documents.
🚀 Achievements and Impact
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✅ Helped attract major companies - Supported expansion of Mars, Umarex, and Mitsubishi into Fort Smith, helping grow the local economy.
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✅ Made site selection easier - Provided accurate location data and analysis to shorten decision timelines for relocating companies.
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✅ Improved office IT systems - Enhanced file access and email services with better server management and Microsoft Exchange tuning.
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✅ Balanced multiple priorities - Managed 10+ active business development projects while keeping daily IT needs on track.
🛠 Skills
- Adaptability and Learning
- Collaboration and Teamwork
- Customer Service and Communication
- Data Recovery
- End User Training and Support
- Hardware and Device Management
- Knowledge Management
- Problem Solving and Critical Thinking
- Project Management and Task Prioritization
- Proofreading and Editing
- Research and Competitive Analysis
- Security and Compliance Management
- Site Selection and Evaluation
- Stakeholder Management
- System Administration
- Technical Documentation
- Vendor Relationship Management
- Website and Content Management
💻Software and Tools
- Active Directory
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Excel
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Microsoft Sharepoint
- State and Local GIS
- Windows OS
🔗 Related Links
- 🌐 Organization Website: fortsmithchamber.org