Member Spotlight | Arkansas Economic Developers & Chamber Executives

Shelle Summers, IOM, is SVP of Membership Services for the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce. She leads the membership services team in efforts to sell memberships, sponsorships, advertising, and engage our 1900+ members.

1. What do you love most about Arkansas? I love that Arkansas offers such a variety of opportunities whether you’re a fan of big cities, small towns, or the quiet countryside. We have all the amenities of major metro areas with the friendly, welcoming vibe of small towns.
2. Very few people know that I took a trip around the world in 1981.
3. What song describes your life right now? “Vacation” by The Go-Gos.
4. If you could pick up a new skill in an instant, what would it be? Speaking a second language.
5. My first job was: lifeguard at our community pool in Slater, MO.
6. Thinking about your community, what is the one thing you are most proud of? We’re all working together to make it the best place to live, work and play.
7. How long have you been in the chamber/economic development profession? What do you like most about your job? I have worked at the Chamber for almost 15 years. Fun Fact: I learned about the position by attending a job fair hosted by the Chamber. The best part of my job is learning about our member businesses and connecting them with other businesses. We are fortunate to interact with a variety of small business entrepreneurs as well as major corporations, so every day is unique.
8. What is the best career advice you would give someone in the chamber/economic development profession? Not just for Chamber execs, but anyone: DWYSYWD (do what you say you will do), and be honest, dependable, and trustworthy; and I always try to “model the way” (from Kouzes & Posner’s, The Leadership Challenge).

Clif has worked in economic development for more than 20 years. Prior to leading economic development in Mississippi County, Arkansas, as President of the Great River Economic Development Foundation, he served as the Marketing Director for the Blytheville-Gosnell Regional Airport Authority. Since 2003, he has been part of a team successfully recruiting 40 new industries that created well over 4,000 jobs in Mississippi County. Mr. Chitwood has been recognized every year since 2017, as one of the 250 Most Influential Leaders in Arkansas by the Arkansas Business Magazine. In 2010, the Arkansas Economic Developers association (AEDCE) distinguished Mr. Chitwood as the Economic Developer of the Year. Mr. Chitwood serves on the Board of Trustees for the Arkansas Northeastern College. Prior to his career in economic development, Mr. Chitwood worked in the private sector and as a development officer for the University of Arkansas. Mr. Chitwood is a graduate of the University of Arkansas, with a degree in Finance and Economics. He and his wife have three children and three grandchildren.

1. What do you love most about Arkansas? My grandchildren.
2. Very few people know that I Played the piano so badly my teacher told my mother lessons were a waste of time.
3. What song describes your life right now? “The Times They Are a-Changin” by Bob Dylan
4. If you could pick up a new skill in an instant, what would it be? The ability to play the piano.
5. You can have a fictional character as a friend. Who do you choose and why? Jonathan Strange or Mr. Norrell – I think a friend who could do magic would come in very handy on occasion
6. My first job was… Sorting burnt bolts after my father’s store burnt down.
7. The greatest risk I ever took was…? Driving a motorcycle across the Dyersburg bridge in a lightning storm. I was in a state of near euphoric hysteria by the time I made it across. It was great!
8. Thinking about your community, what is the one thing you are most proud of? Mississippi County is full of towns and communities that insist on prospering and are too tough are to die.
9. How long have you been in the chamber/economic development profession? What do you like most about your job? I went into this field in 1997. I have most enjoyed the many fine and interesting people I have met in the course of the work, most of them fellow practitioners in Arkansas.
10. What is the best career advice you would give someone in the chamber/economic development profession? Go into the field earlier than I did. It is by far the most enjoyable and rewarding work I have ever done.