Exciting Pecan Festival news announced
Though she isn’t a new face in the Okmulgee Chamber of Commerce office, Whitlea Bowen was recently officially hired as the new Administrative Assistant at the agency.
Bowen began working in May through a program with the Muscogee Nation Employment and Training program which places citizens at various job sites throughout the area.
“The program pays us for three months, but after that time it’s up to (the company) whether or not they want to hire you or not full-time,” Bowen said. “It’s like a win-win for the job site. If it doesn’t work out, then you know they place you somewhere else.”
Her official end date with the MN agency is now Aug. 25, but the Chamber board officially hired her during their July meeting. She will begin as a Chamber employee after the August date. Bowen, a native of Okmulgee, attended school in the area, before moving and graduating from Midway High School.
Though from the area, she admits she never was really involved in the community, but is excited about the opportunity now to be active in the community.
“I’m just a full-time mom … and most of my family live here,” Bowen said.
Over the past few months, Bowen has been getting acquainted with everything Okmulgee, and fielding calls from the community.
She says she has received lots of assistance and pointers from the previous director Mallory Brasier. The Chamber board is still actively searching for a full-time director.
“So far it’s really kind of like hands-on learning,” Bowen said. But, I’ve gotten used to it. There’s certain things I don’t know – people call and there’s certain things I don’t know. I’ve never been in this type of position before. I’ve done office work before but not this extensive.”
Bowen has gotten to know many people in the community during her time in the Chamber office. She added that she will try to answer any questions as much as possible and to the best of her ability, but if not, she will get the information or transfer to someone who can assist them.
“Callers ask everything,” she said with a laugh. “Mallory, our former executive, she worded it best. ‘You’ll either get calls about the chamber, or you’ll get calls and it’s like customer service for Okmulgee.’” Bowen added that she gets questions about businesses in Okmulgee, who owns them or even about semi-truck routes through the city.
Bowen also gave an update on the Pecan Festival. The event has been moved this year to Oct. 26-28. Not only will be time of year be much cooler, but there is more exciting news.
“We had a meeting with Okmulgee Main Street and we’re going to combine it with the Chili Fest,” Bowen said.
The Harvest Spoon Chili Fest will be only on Saturday, and will also bring in additional crowds who are attending the Pecan Festival. Great Plains Amusement returns as the carnival for the event.
“We are already looking for volunteers for the Pecan Festival that will be able to help us,” Bowen said. “Also, this year, the Muscogee Nation will be the main sponsor for the event.”
Bowen is excited about the added events, and the planning committee is looking to add a variety of new events, and entertainment. More information will be provided on that as the date approaches.
Bowen has also been busy with the Chamber’s Facebook and website making updates and getting out information, along with promoting what the Chamber has to offer.
Stop by and visit with Whitlea to learn about all the benefits of the Okmulgee Chamber of Commerce and how to get involved today. The Chamber of Commerce is located at 112 N. Morton in Okmulgee. Current hours are 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
