The work of the Chamber is delegated by the Board of Directors to seven working committees. Chaired by a member of the Board, each committee takes responsibility for an area of the program of work of the Chamber reporting actions to the Board of Directors.
Learn About Our Councils & Committees
Economic Development Committee
The Economic Development Committee is a subcommittee of the Board of Directors working to insure that the Greater Arlington Area continues to develop as a leading place to live, raise a family, work and operate a business. The Committee focuses on infrastructure issues like transportation infrastructure, transit, workforce development, education and quality of life. The Committee supports the cities’ economic development activities and the Arlington Convention and Tourism Bureau. This Committee is responsible for implementing the Chamber strategy of developing the greater Arlington area for the future.
CHAIR: Chad Bates, Legacy Financial
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee is a subcommittee of the Board of Directors working to ensure that the Board exercises appropriate financial oversight of the funds invested by members and sponsors in support of Chamber activities. The Committee reviews financial statements prepared by the staff and recommends them to the Board. The Committee ensures compliance with local, state and federal regulations. It oversees the annual Chamber financial audit. A subcommittee is responsible for periodic review and recommending updates of Chamber by-laws.
CHAIR: Kim Crawford, Sutton Frost Cary
Member Experience Committee
The Member Experience Committee (MEC) is chaired by a member of the Board of Directors, but open to other members. The Council is responsible for implementing the Chamber strategy of growing our members' businesses. Implementation of this key strategy has led to the development of networking resources like leads groups, Business over Breakfast, Chamber After Hours, the Women’s Alliance, the Young Professionals, The Asian Business Group, the Veterans Business Group and the Latino Business Group. This Council facilitates professional development activities ten times a year. Welcoming new members, holding ribbon cuttings and improving member retention is the major work of the A-Team which also reports through this Council.
CHAIR: Clay Kelley, RUSH Human Resources, LLC.
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee is a subcommittee of the Board, and it is headed by a member of the Board of Directors. It is responsible for developing strategies and implementing action to grow total membership in the Chamber. This Committee plans and executes the annual Chamber membership drive. Any member may apply for the Membership Committee.
Board Public Policy Committee
The Board Public Policy Committee is a subcommittee of the Board of Directors. This Committee is responsible for directing the activities of the Public Policy Advisory Council (PPAC). The Committee consists of five board members who are familiar with the process of Advocacy. The Committee appoints the Chair of the PPAC who also serves on the Committee. Up to four additional people from Chamber member companies who are professionals in public policy may be appointed to the Committee by the Chair. This Committee is responsible for developing and securing Board approval for the Chamber’s federal and state public policy agendas.
CHAIR: Kelly Biegler, Atmos Energy
Public Policy Advisory Council
The Public Policy Advisory Council consists of 15 ex-officio representatives of area elected officials and government agencies. They are joined by Chamber members. There are 30 Chamber members represented on the Council. The purpose of the Council is to facilitate open communication between Chamber members and elected officials. It serves the Board Public Policy Committee by identifying business issues that need legislative action or protection from anti-business legislation. The Council conducts member surveys on issues and crafts the public policy agendas for submission to the Board Committee for modification and approval. Once approved, the Council promotes the legislative agendas.
CHAIR: Brett Bell, Prosperity Bank
Partners in Education
The Partners in Education (PIE) is the committee charged with workforce development. It is primarily focused on the Arlington Independent School District. This Committee coordinates practicums for hundreds of AISD students annually providing them with on the job experience in focused career fields. Lockheed Martin has used this practicum path to create a source for future engineers. Practicums are available that lead to graduation from high school with an industry-accepted certification for some students. The Committee also awards scholarships. It sponsors the “What’s Your Big Idea?” contest in which about 5,000 AISD students compete. About 1,800 finalists are chosen and honored at an awards ceremony held on the campus of the University of Texas at Arlington. Up to 12 winners are invited to a week-long entrepreneurship school conducted in conjunction with UTA. Any member of the Chamber with an interest in workforce development and education may apply to be a member of PIE.
CHAIR: Joni Wilson