New president

Trent Mitchell assumed the presidency of the Heart of Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce on July 1.

Though it was in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic’s new normal, Mitchell’s inherent enthusiasm hasn’t been dampened.

He sees potential and possibilities. Everywhere.

And he’s determined to effect positive change in the heart of Oklahoma by getting all five member communities involved.

While the chamber office is located in Purcell, it also serves the towns of Lexington, Goldsby, Washington and Wayne.

Part of that involvement is determining exactly how the chamber can help those towns, while also building on progress made in Purcell.

Mitchell is excited about the lodging tax proposed for Purcell.

The tax, if it is approved by voters, will “generate some revenue and we will have funds to build some exciting things in the future.”

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Of course, an organization like the chamber can never have too many members and recruiting new members is always a goal.

No details are set in stone, but Mitchell is determined the board go on a retreat where members can “brainstorm and get people excited what the chamber can do for them.”

Even with masks, social distancing and the pandemic, Mitchell believes the retreat will raise the bar from the board’s regular meetings.

Mitchell graduated from Lexington High School in 2008 and was a full time firefighter for 10-1/2 years.

He owned investment property in 2014 and another family business that closed in 2016.

He got his real estate license  to build on that investment. He is broker for the Purcell office of Weichert Realty, a national chain with more than 400 franchises.

He specializes in rural properties – farms, ranches and farm land.

Mitchell still maintains his first responder connections and is a volunteer firefighter for the Purcell Fire Department. He works part time for Wadley’s EMS.

This is his third year on the chamber’s executive board. In the past two years he served as vice president and president-elect.

Before joining the executive board, he was a member of the board of directors for one year during which he served on a couple of committees.