MANHATTAN — New leadership is now steering direction with the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce.
President and CEO Jason Smith began work in Manhattan March 25, replacing longtime President Lyle Butler, who retired in February. Smith is making his way across the community getting acquainted and stopped by the KMAN studios for a brief introduction recently.
Smith is from Oklahoma, and has worked in college towns both in Norman, Oklahoma and Lincoln, Nebraska.
Smith and others from the Chamber of Commerce have been going through a listening tour around the area, in an attempt to identify room for improvement in their office. Smith is new to the area, and says he’s paying attention to the community’s needs as he gets used to life in the Little Apple.
Smith’s experience includes a combined 15 years in similar areas of expertise surrounding like-sized communities.
It’s been about one month since former president Butler retired. Smith says he’s heard a lot about his predecessor and says he’s learning how to fill Butler’s shoes to continue moving Manhattan forward.
Smith has several years of experience in other college towns in the Midwest, and he told KMAN he’s taking that experience and applying it to his new position with the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce.
Smith and others at the Chamber are currently on a listening tour around the community, identifying ways to improve the Chamber and its services.
