Business and Industry | Community | NewsJanuary 26, 2024

Wolfe Elected to West Memphis Chamber Board of Directors

Written By: Ian Silvester

University of Arkansas – Fort Smith assistant professor of organizational leadership, Dr. Kimberly Wolfe, who teaches UAFS students remotely, was elected as a West Memphis (Arkansas) Chamber of Commerce director.

Wolfe’s term began at the start of the year, and she will serve her community for the next three years. However, her nomination and subsequent election came as a complete surprise.

Having lived in the West Memphis area for the last seven years, Wolfe was in disbelief when she found out she was among the initial 100 nominations on the ballot. Joking, she said, “Honestly, I didn’t even check my name.” From there, Wolfe was voted into the final ten candidates, all of whom went to a vote by the current board in December of 2023, and was elected as a director.

Despite her astonishment, Wolfe’s nomination and election make sense when considering her community involvement. She is a West Memphis School Board member and owns two small businesses, Precocity Early Childhood Development Center and Education and Training Solutions LLC. Now, she can return the favor and support the Chamber has provided her to other businesses and peers.

“I embrace a direct responsibility of supporting the Chamber’s mission to ‘develop a vibrant, diverse, and healthy business community in and around West Memphis.’”

As a professor in the College of Business and Industry, Wolfe’s appointment relates to two of her favorite courses, “Nonprofit Organizations” and “Group Dynamics.” Wolfe said she looks forward to sharing the news with her students at UAFS and providing a real-life example of practical experience connecting with theory. The role also aligns with her belief in what the duty of a faculty member is inside and outside the classroom.

“The role of faculty is comprised of teaching, research, and service,” Wolfe explained. “My services as a director on both the West Memphis School Board and Chamber of Commerce provide a platform for the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith to have increased visibility in eastern Arkansas, as I frequently and proudly share my affiliation.”

Within the Chamber, Wolfe is chair of the Legislative Council Committee and a member of the Community Engagement Committee.

As a director, Wolfe has set a goal to leverage her work with the Chamber and collaborate with the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Centers at UAFS and Arkansas State University Mid-South (West Memphis) to “undertake research and employ best practices for growing small businesses and economic development throughout Arkansas.”

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