Shawnee Forward

Today, President & CEO Crystal Romanyszyn, CAE, IOM spoke at the 21st annual For Counselors Only Conference in Owasso! She was featured in the session “Strengthening Work-Based Learning Through Community Engagement,” where she highlighted Shawnee Forward’s Pathways to Professions Program. This workforce development program connects parents, students, educators, and employers to showcase career opportunities in manufacturing and other sectors. By bridging the gap between education and industry, Pathways to Professions helps prepare the workforce of tomorrow. Want to get your business involved? Learn more about how your business can play a role in shaping our future workforce! https://lnkd.in/g7CtwiKA #ShawneeForward #PathwaysToProfessions #WorkforceDevelopment #EducationToIndustry #FutureReady

We were excited to be part of the first-ever Chamber Day at the Oklahoma State Capitol, where we joined over 30 chambers from across the state to advocate for our communities! It was an incredible opportunity to highlight Shawnee and Pottawatomie County, engage with our state representatives, and ensure that the voices of our businesses and community leaders are heard. As part of our ongoing commitment to advocacy, we've launched a new Business Advocacy page on our website! https://lnkd.in/gkYYQ3U6 This resource will help our businesses, community, and partners stay informed about key issues that are important to our community. Your voice matters—let’s stay engaged together! Check out a recap of the day below! #ChamberDay #BusinessAdvocacy #ShawneeForward #StrongerTogether

Strong communities are built on strong partnership. By collaborating with our educational institutions we ensure that our workforce is prepared, our businesses are supported, and our economy thrives.

Last week, our President and CEO, Crystal Romanyszyn, represented Shawnee Forward at the International Economic Development Council’s Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. She connected with economic development professionals nationwide, discussing best practices and strategies for driving growth in our communities. While in D.C., Crystal met with U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin and U.S. Senator James Lankford, advocating for key initiatives that will impact all of Pottawatomie County—including the future of Shawnee Regional Airport and workforce development efforts critical to our region’s success. These conversations are essential as we work to create new opportunities for businesses and residents across the county. Strong leadership and proactive advocacy pave the way for a thriving future. We’re excited for what’s ahead!

Shawnee Forward proudly congratulates our board member, Josh L. Trimble, on his recent appointment to the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) Board by Governor Kevin Stitt. Mr. Trimble's leadership, dedication to community service, and passion for empowering Oklahoma’s youth make him a valuable addition to this vital organization. As an OJA Board Member, Mr. Trimble will play a key role in guiding the agency’s efforts to provide prevention, rehabilitation, and intervention services for young Oklahomans. His extensive experience in education, nonprofit leadership, and philanthropy, along with his deep commitment to mentorship and community engagement, will undoubtedly strengthen the mission of OJA. Please join us in congratulating Mr. Josh L. Trimble on this well-deserved appointment! ?? #ShawneeForward #Leadership #CommunityImpact #OklahomaYouth #OJA

Thank You to Our Sponsors! The 3rd Annual Economic Development Summit was a success because of the incredible support from our sponsors! Your commitment to economic growth, innovation, and community development helps drive real change in our region. A huge thank you to: Avedis Foundation Citizen Potawatomi Nation Pottawatomie County CLEAResult AT&T Indaco Metals Gordon Cooper Technology Center Oklahoma Natural Gas Vision Bank Canadian Valley Electric Cooperative HTeaO Firelake Foods Jersey Mike's Subs Bison Hill Printing Your support made this event possible, and we are grateful for your investment in building a stronger, more vibrant future—together. #WeBuildTogether #EconomicSummit #ShawneeForward #ThankYou #CommunityGrowth #shawneeok #pottawatomiecounty

In one week, leaders, innovators, and changemakers will gather for the 3rd Annual Economic Development Summit on February 27! Featured Sessions: Keynote by Taylor Doe: "And Then Moments" Housing: Constructing an Attainable Community The Ripple Effect: The Power of Generosity Collective Impact: Nonprofits in Pottawatomie County ED Talks: Telling the Stories of Entrepreneurship Beyond the Tassel: Building a Community Worth Staying For We Build. Together. Be part of the movement—grab one of the last spots before it’s too late! This is your opportunity to gain insights, make connections, and help shape the future of our region. Get your tickets now at: https://lnkd.in/gynQ_Nsq or by scanning the QR code $55 for members | $75 for non-members hashtag #WeBuildTogether hashtag #EconomicSummit hashtag #ShawneeForward hashtag #Shawneeok hashtag #pottawatomiecounty

Shawnee Forward had a great day at our beautiful Capitol for Chamber Day, sharing our 2025 legislative agenda with state leaders Our agenda, shaped by your feedback, highlights key priorities to support business growth in Pottawatomie County. We’re proud to showcase the many reasons our community is a great place to live, work, and invest! #ChamberDay #PottCounty #AdvocatingForBusiness #shawneeok #shawneeforward #econdev

We're Hiring! Join the Shawnee Forward Team! Shawnee Forward is looking for a Membership Manager to help grow business engagement, strengthen relationships, and enhance the impact of our programs and events. This is a full-time, onsite position in Shawnee, Oklahoma, offering a base salary + commission, plus great benefits, including 401k, health & dental insurance, and paid time off. In this role, you'll: ? Drive membership growth & retention ? Connect businesses to valuable Chamber resources ? Develop partnerships & sponsorships ? Promote events & publications ? Engage with the community & lead the Ambassador Committee If you’re a motivated, relationship-driven professional with strong communication & sales skills, we want to hear from you! View the position and apply by emailing your cover letter & resume to [email protected] Let’s build a stronger business community together! #ShawneeForward #NowHiring #MembershipManager #JoinOurTeam

Thank you to everyone who attended our first Legislative Luncheon of 2025! A special thank you to Shane Jett for addressing the audience and taking questions from our business leaders and community stakeholders. We also appreciate Mike Jackson with the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber for providing an insightful update on bills being filed and key issues to watch this legislative session. We’re also deeply grateful to our sponsors Oklahoma Natural Gas, Canadian Valley Electric Cooperative, CVEC Fiber, LLC, and Gilbert Insurance & Tecumseh Tag Agency for making this event possible. Your support ensures we can continue to provide opportunities for meaningful dialogue between our business community and policymakers. Everyone in attendance had the opportunity to complete a survey on legislative items important to them and their businesses. We’re excited to share the results with our state and federal leadership to amplify the voices of our region’s businesses and leaders. #ShawneeForward #LegislativeLuncheon #CommunityLeadership #AdvocacyInAction #ThankYouSponsors