2021-2022 Board of Directors

 

A Message from our Chair

I am honored to be chosen as the Chair of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce for the 2021-2022 fiscal year.

Being in the banking business for over 40 years, I have been involved with many business people who have grown up in Odessa, lived here for over 40 years like me, and some who have recently joined our community. This has given me the opportunity to learn from some highly articulate, intelligent, and energetic individuals. In addition, it has given me the perspective of the Odessa community from different viewpoints.

As we journey through the next year, we must look back and realize we have been through the ups and downs of the Energy Sector and the ins and outs of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the Energy Sector appears to be heading in the right direction, the pandemic continues to move business at a slower pace.

The Odessa Chamber has been working closely with the healthcare industry in West Texas to help minimize the effects of the pandemic on our local community. One of the main areas of the upcoming year will be to increase the education of our community as it relates to the pandemic and the physical and behavioral health issues associated with the many changes brought on by COVID-19.

The Chamber will also work closely with businesses, ECISD, Odessa College, UTPB, TTUHSC, and other educational entities to help provide a strong and educated workforce to fill the changing employment availabilities for the community.

We will also focus on the community of Odessa, working with City leaders and volunteers who want all citizens to enjoy the quality-of-life programs now available and to enhance and expand additional opportunities. There has been much progress made on the attractiveness of the community to increase tourism. With the addition of numerous hotels, the downtown conference center, and with the help of Discover Odessa, our community has enabled itself to be a convention destination.

Our Economic Development department has been working diligently to bring additional businesses and opportunities for employment to the local citizens. This has resulted in the announcement of a multi-billion dollar lower-carbon gasoline facility to be constructed in Ector County. They continue to work on various ancillary services, current businesses wishing to expand, and other companies wishing to relocate to Odessa.

The Chamber will continue to lead the way, and with our community partners, stakeholders, educational institutions, and volunteers, we will continue to realize the fruits of our labors, hopes, and dreams.

I look forward to working with the staff of the Chamber, the board of directors, and all the volunteers to help this organization continue to be one of the premier Chambers of Commerce in the United States.

 

Sincerely,
Jimmy Cox

 

2021-2022 Odessa Chamber of Commerce Chair