The Marshall County Chamber of Commerce is strengthening its connection with businesses and residents throughout the county through its Chamber Ambassador program, a groupofvolunteerswhoserve as friendly representatives of the Chamber and help promote local businesses, events andcommunityinvolvement.
Ambassadors help welcome new Chamber members, attend Chamber activities, encourage businesses to become involved and help build relationships between the Chamber and the community. They also serve as an important link between local businessesandtheChamber, helping spread information about programs, events and opportunities.
The Chamber of Commerce has long served as a voice for the local business community. Its purpose is to promote economic development, encourage business growth, support its members and help create a stronger community.
Through networking, events, promotions and partnerships, the Chamber works to bring businesses, residents and community organizations together. The current group of ambassadors represents a variety of backgrounds,professionsand communitiesacrossMarshall County and the surrounding area.
Renee Hicks,Kingston.
Hicks moved to Kingston about two years ago with her husband and said they have greatly enjoyed becoming part of the community. She works remotely and spends much of her free time restoring her property to encourage native plants and wildlife.
She decided to become an ambassador because she wanted to become more involved in the community, meet more people and support local businesses.
Lisa Leclere, Kingston.
Leclere is originally from Hawaii and was raised in Texas before moving to Kingston in 2020. She said one of her goals is to become moreconnectedwiththecommunity and meet the people who make Marshall County their home.
Meg A. Watt, Enos.
Watt moved to the area from Tucson, Arizona, in 2023. A professional IT consultant who works remotely, she is married to fine artist John Watt. Watt is already active in the community. She serves on the board of the Hope for Marshall County Food Pantry, is a member of theMadillArtClubandhelps coordinate the Marshall County Farmers Market at Williams-Ray Memorial Park.
Watt said she loves the community and wanted an opportunity to become more actively involved and give back. She hopes to use her skills, talents and experience to help others succeed while contributing to the continued growth and strength of the area.
GwenWilson,Oakland.
Wilson has deep roots in Marshall County. She has served as president of the Hope for Marshall County Food Pantry for 17 years and hasspent16yearsinvolvedin animal fostering and rescue. She is also a grant writer for the food pantry. Wilson has two daughters and six grandchildren and said giving back to the community is her passion.
“I love Marshall County and its residents and businesses,” she said, explaining her desire to continue supporting the community she has called home for most of her life.
Chani Bergan, Sherman, Texas.
Bergan is a wife, mother and caregiver and owns two businesses, a financial services practiceandtheWomen Mean Business platform. Although she lives in Sherman, Bergan said she has been impressed by the people she has met in Marshall County.
“Everyone I have met in Marshall County has been so amazingly kind and welcoming,” she said.
After seeing the level of support provided by the Chamber, Bergan wanted to become involved and give back to what she described as an amazing community.
Jennifer Fullingim, Madill.
Fullingim has lived in MarshallCountyfor29years. She is married to James Fullingim and they have two daughters. She has worked forMarshallCountyAbstract for the past three years and said she wanted to become an ambassador to be more involved in the community.
Kathy Troxell, Kingston.
Troxell said she thoroughly enjoys volunteering with the Marshall County Chamber of Commerce. She enjoys supporting Chamber events and spending time with other Chamber members. Her involvement reflects one of the primary goals of the ambassador program, bringing people together and encouraging participation in the local business community.
Kathy Germany, Madill.
Germany is originally from Marshall County and spent 25 years as a school teacher. She now operates an animal resource center. Her experience in education and animal care has kept her closely connected to the community, and she continues to devote her time to helping people and animals in the area.
Allie Sutherland, Madill.
Sutherland is Germany's daughter and helps operate the animal resource center. She shares her mother's love for Marshall County and is becoming involved in the community through the Chamber and her work with animals.
Danielle Kifer, Kingston.
Kifer is a Realtor and is also involved with the Texoma Fire Department. She said she wanted to become an ambassador because she enjoys helping others and meeting people.
Two additional Chamber Ambassadors, Christi Kenedy and Tim Brunson, are also serving with the program but did not submit ambassador questionnaires for inclusion in the profiles.
Together, the ambassadors bring experience in business, education, real estate, technology, agriculture, nonprofit organizations, animal rescue and community service. Their involvement illustrates the broad network of people working to strengthenMarshallCounty.
For the Chamber, the ambassadorprogramisabout more than attending events. It is about creating personal connections, supporting local businesses and helping residents feel more connected to the community.
As Marshall County continues to grow and change, the Chamber Ambassadors will play an important role in welcoming newcomers, supporting existing businesses and encouraging more residents to become involved in the communities where they live and work.