Since 1910, the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce has been fulfilling its mission to promote economic prosperity, serve as a business advocate, and celebrate the achievements of our region.
“We often say that everything that we do is through and for our members,” says Dr. Timothy J. Magner, who has served as president of the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce for the past decade. “As the largest and most varied business organization in our region, the Chamber is comprised of a broad range of businesses from the largest employers to the smallest startup. That variety gives us both reach and impact. At the same time, because we have been around for more than 115 years, we are also caretakers for this organization, leveraging our members’ participation and engagement to make sure that our community thrives for the next hundred years.”
“I’m blessed to get to work with a relatively small, but certainly strong and vibrant team,” Dr. Magner adds. “We have team members who have been with the Chamber one, two and even three decades, bringing both dedication and imagination to keeping our organization relevant and impactful. They are a truly great team!”
Celebrating the vital impact of the Chamber and its members in our area is the annual J. Pat Beaird Memorial Industry of the Year Luncheon on Aug. 27 at Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino. With such wonderful sponsors as the J. Pat Beaird Memorial Fund and Regions Bank, the Chamber is able to honor outstanding industry and small businesses.
One of the luncheon highlights is the presentation of the J. Pat Beaird Industry of the Year Award, recognizing a corporate entity from the Greater Shreveport area for their outstanding business achievements. The award itself honors the memory of J. Pat Beaird Sr., whose lifetime of community service helped to make Shreveport and the state of Louisiana a better place to live and work.
“The Chamber is fortunate to have forward-thinking investors and supporters like the Beaird family, who have made it possible for us to bring nationally recognized speakers for the J. Pat Beaird Industry of the Year Award Luncheon,” says Dr. Magner. “Their support has enabled us to bring powerful stories of leadership, perseverance, sacrifice and service to engage and inspire our business leaders. We hope that attendees will come away with a broadened perspective and renewed vigor to help lead their organizations and improve our community.”
This year’s speaker, Melissa Stockwell, is sure to continue the tradition with her incredible story. “I’m always grateful for opportunities to connect with people through stories of resilience, service and purpose,” Melissa says. “If sharing my journey helps even one person see obstacles differently, it’s worth it.”
Melissa became the first Iraq War veteran to qualify for the Paralympics, swimming at the 2008 Beijing Games and also serving as flagbearer for Team USA. Setting her sights on triathlons, Melissa earned a bronze medal in the 2016 Paralympic Games. These achievements opened the door to many opportunities to help spread her message. “I hope everyone remembers that challenges don’t define us; our response to them does. Every person has the ability to make a positive impact on someone else’s life. I want people to leave believing they are more capable than they think,” Melissa says. “I look for organizations that genuinely support inclusion, innovation and helping people reach their potential. The best partnerships are built on shared values, not just sponsorships.”
Participating in the Paralympics is just one of the many endeavors Melissa has accomplished in addition to being a charity co-founder, author and co-owner of a business with her husband, as well as a nationally recognized speaker, covering 40 to 50 events a year. “I have the privilege of speaking with corporations, healthcare organizations, schools, nonprofits and leadership groups across the country.”
In 2004, Melissa became the first female American soldier to lose a limb in active combat. She was honored with a Purple Heart and Bronze Star, and she made a promise to herself not to let losing a leg slow her down. “My family, fellow service members, medical team and other adaptive athletes showed me what was possible. Seeing people living full, meaningful lives after tremendous challenges helped shape my own outlook.”
Her journey to keep that promise is shared throughout the country and in her book, The Power of Choice. “I hope readers walk away with hope, perspective and the confidence to keep moving forward, even when life doesn’t unfold the way they expected,” Melissa says.
“I have retired from elite-level triathlon, but my athletic journey continues to evolve! I continue to run and have a recent focus on rock climbing. I will always stay involved in sport in hopes of inspiring others and creating opportunities for people with disabilities through advocacy and organizations like DARE2TRI.”
DARE2TRI Paratriathlon Club, co-founded by Melissa and where she also serves as a coach, is a charity with a mission to positively impact the lives of athletes with physical disabilities and visual impairments by developing their skills in paratriathlon. DARE2TRI serves all ability levels of youth, adults and injured service members who have a physical disability such as amputation, spinal cord injury, stroke, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, and those with visual impairments and blindness. “Working with DARE2TRI has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career. Watching an athlete who once doubted themselves cross a finish line or accomplish something they thought was impossible reminds me why this work matters.”
In addition to her speaking schedule and charity work, Melissa also partnered with her husband to create their company, Tolsma/Stockwell Prosthetics. TSP serves elite-level athletes, adults in the community, as well as the pediatric population. “My prosthetics and my scars are part of my story, not something to hide. I hope people see that strength and vulnerability can exist together, and that our differences can become sources of confidence rather than insecurity.”
In addition to juggling all of these facets, Melissa is also a wife and mother. “Balance isn’t about doing everything perfectly. I rely on priorities, a supportive family and giving myself grace when life gets busy,” she adds. “More than medals or accomplishments, I hope my children remember that kindness, perseverance and serving others are what truly matter.”
Tickets for the awards luncheon are still available. $100 for Chamber members, $125 for nonmembers. “We would love, love, love, to have new members, volunteers and delegates,” says Tracy Whittington, the Chamber’s director of investor relations.
“What inspires me about our area,” Dr. Magner adds, “is its tremendous potential and the engaged and invested organizations and individuals working hard to bring that potential to fruition. We are seeing our local governments, businesses and nonprofit organizations all pulling in the same direction to celebrate what we have and to create new opportunities that encourage others to make their livelihoods here. The recent investments by organizations like SLB, Prolec, Amazon and 50 Cent demonstrate that we can attract exciting new industries and new investors to our community.”
The J. Pat Beaird Memorial Industry of the Year Award Luncheon is Aug. 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino. Purchase tickets and explore opportunities at shreveportchamber.org or 318-677-2547.
