September Chamber Connection

Hello, readers! August marked a busy month for the Chamber including several impact events, The Party at the Palace, the Stuff the Bus School Supply Campaign and the New Teacher Luncheon. However, August also kicked off the Chamber’s very prestigious 10-month program, Leadership Ponca City. LPC embodies the community’s pride in the program’s dedication to developing civic responsibility and leadership growth.

Leadership Ponca City proudly launched its 38th class in August, continuing its tradition of fostering local leaders! This new cohort brings together a diverse group committed to driving positive change and growth in the Ponca City community. We had a wonderful orientation day on Aug. 14 with Leadership Ponca City’s newest class gathering for the first time learning about the expectations, connections and growth as they began the LPC journey.

On Aug. 29-30, Class 38 met the challenge of their required overnight retreat at Camp Horizon. The retreat for Leadership Ponca City serves as an immersive experience designed to foster camaraderie, self-discovery and team-building among participants. Held in a serene setting away from the daily hustle, the retreat included a mix of interactive workshops, leadership exercises and reflective sessions that challenged Class 38’s problem-solving and communication skills. Always a retreat favorite of the leadership classes is the visit to Inspiration Point. The peaceful, rustic stone circle seating area at Inspiration Point located on the fringe of Camp Horizon helped everyone relax and open up in such an intimate setting. Being there after dark made it even more memorable, as we connected and shared stories under the stars. Attending the retreat is mandatory for LPC participants to continue in the program because it creates a strong foundation of trust and unity, setting the tone for the collaborative and impactful journey ahead.

September marks the first of Class 38’s regular sessions. This month the class will experience History Day, and we all know that Ponca City is rich in history and culture! History Day is invaluable for Leadership Ponca City as it provides participants with a deep understanding of the community’s heritage, challenges and triumphs as developed and experienced by such great founders of our area, including Chief Standing Bear, B.S. Barnes, E.W. Marland and Lew Wentz to name a few. By exploring Ponca City’s past, participants gain insights into the factors that have shaped our present, nurturing a greater appreciation and commitment to Ponca City’s future.

Speaking of history, let’s discuss the history of Leadership Ponca City as shared with me by Larry Bittman, longtime Ponca Citian. In the mid-1980s, Ponca City was a hub of industry and community activity, yet it lacked a structured program to cultivate and develop future leaders. This gap was recognized by Charles Hollar, an insurance executive who was the compass directing many innovative development opportunities in our community and state, including the Great Expectations Model promoting the premise that education is a two-way street with respect and optimism as the centerpiece. Hollar’s vision was clear: to establish a program that could identify, educate and empower the future leaders of Ponca City. At the time, the concept of a structured leadership program was still emerging in Oklahoma, with only two similar programs existing in the entire state, Oklahoma City and Tulsa. With a vision to strengthen the community through leadership development, Hollar initiated what became a landmark program for Ponca City, Leadership Ponca City, the third longest-running leadership program in Oklahoma.

Hollar was serving as the Chamber of Commerce Chairman in 1987. He contacted Bittman, a financial professional deeply engaged in strengthening Ponca City, and told him he was going to put together the program. At the time, Bittman was in the midst of a critical period in his career overseeing the retirement of 1,200 Conoco employees in June 1985. Bittman knew the responsibility of putting together a program of this magnitude from scratch would be no small feat.

Despite this monumental task, Bittman took on the challenge with the encouragement of John Myers, the Chamber CEO at the time, and the indispensable support of Melanie Norris, Myers’ assistant. Bittman and Norris’ dedication and hard work were pivotal in turning Hollar’s vision into a reality.

The initial phase involved a significant amount of groundwork. Melanie Norris undertook an enormous amount of legwork to set up the program. Once the structure was in place, the next step was to put out the call for nominations. The response was overwhelming, and the list of the first class of participants reads like a “who’s who” of Ponca City. LPC Class 1 included Carolyn Berry, Larry Buck, Gary Dorman, Terri Hadley, Brian Hermanson, David Keathly, Tom Muchmore, Chuck Rager, Bill Rutz, Dan Smith and Charles Ziegenhain.

Duane Wilson from Conoco and Bittman served as the coordinators for the first year. According to Bittman, the format, while effective, was straightforward compared to the creative and diverse sessions that characterize the program today. Initially, the group was limited to no more than 15 people, ensuring an intimate and focused environment for leadership development.

The foundational work done by Hollar, Bittman, Norris and the first participants set a high standard for future classes. Over the years, the program has expanded both in size and scope, adapting to the changing needs of Ponca City while staying true to its original mission of cultivating leaders. Leadership Ponca City has grown and evolved since its inception with LPC boasting over 600 notable alumni. These alumni serve on multiple boards, are elected officials and serve in leadership positions leading Ponca City into the future.

As the Chamber CEO, last year was my first class to serve as the organizer for Leadership Ponca City, and Leadership Chairs Brook Lindsay, Natalie Fraser and Sean Grigsba were invaluable to the program as they provided essential guidance, mentorship and strategic direction. Class 37 took their class project to new heights with the Mr. Ponca City competition raising over $40,000 for 10 of Ponca City’s local nonprofits. The positive impact of Mr. Ponca City led to the highest number of Leadership Ponca City applicants to date, with 46 exemplary candidates vying for one of the 24 spots available today. Without a doubt, it was a tough task for Class 38 Chairs Natalie Fraser, Sean Grigsba and Molly Kyler to select Class 38, but the vast number of applicants speaks well of the program. Hollar’s vision of creating leaders of our future all those years ago and the collective contributions of Bittman and Norris left an indelible mark on Ponca City, ensuring that the community continues to thrive under the guidance of capable and inspired leaders. Leadership Ponca City serves as a testament to what can be achieved when passionate individuals come together with a common goal.

Today, Leadership Ponca City is celebrated for its innovative and engaging sessions that challenge participants to think critically and act decisively. The program has become a cornerstone of the community, fostering a new generation of leaders who continue to drive Ponca City’s growth and success.

Meet Leadership Ponca City, Class 38.

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