Newly named president/ chief executive officer of the Greater Muskogee Area Chamber of Commerce Paul Joseph won’t even have time to unpack before he starts work today.

Joseph accepted the position Monday, the Chamber’s executive committee announced Tuesday. Joseph comes to Muskogee from Garden City, Kan., where he served that community in the same capacity.

Although he won’t officially start until March 1, he will start working with outgoing President Sue Harris today. The first order of business is a branding meeting this morning.

“We had a branding meeting in Garden City (Kan.), and just finished it up last fall,” Joseph said. “So I’ve got some experience in branding and pulling a community together for that process. This one sounds like it’s well on its way.”

Prior to leading the Garden City Area Chamber, Joseph worked for Highland, Ill., as an economic and community developer. He also served eight years as president/CEO of the Siloam Springs, Ark., Chamber of Commerce, where his parents live.

He said Muskogee is a perfect fit, allowing him to be 75 miles away from his parents.

Harris said she was excited to be able to work with Joseph until she resigns later this month. She announced her resignation in December.

“We thought it was very important he be here for (the branding meeting), so he’ll be up to par with everything,” Harris said. “It just seemed like a really great fit. Very excited about it for Muskogee.”

Chamber Chairman Jim Eaton said after a thorough review of applicants, the difference was Joseph’s depth of experience.

“His longevity in the business and his experience with chambers in particular,” Eaton said. “He had outstanding recommendations from references.”

More than 20 applied for the position, Harris said.

“We had a lot of very qualified folks who applied,” Harris said. “I’m very pleased to see Mr. Joseph step in. He has one awesome staff to work with.”

Joseph is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute and a graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management at Notre Dame.

Harris said Joseph’s Certified Chamber Executive qualification stood out.

“I was very impressed he has his CCE,” Harris said. “That’s not easy. You have to be very knowledgeable — it comes from the American Chamber of Commerce Executives.”

Joseph said two of his proudest accomplishments while at Garden City was developing a regional chamber of commerce and helping pass a $91 million school bond that twice failed before garnering the chamber’s support.

“There was a hunger for partnerships of the chambers of commerce in the region,” Joseph said. “They were all independent, yet came together. As an alliance, we had about 1,800 members. I was real proud of that association. I’m also very proud that we helped the school district (pass the bond). We publicly supported it, and it passed.”

Joseph said while there are a few similarities between Muskogee and his previous stops, there are more differences.

“I’m going to let Muskogee tell me what Muskogee needs,” Joseph said. “Sue and her staff and the board and leadership have just done a phenomenal job making the chamber relevant in a community. That’s the highest praise a chamber can have is being relevant.

“I can’t hardly wait to live, work and play in Muskogee. We’re going to have fun.”

Meet Paul Joseph



AGE: 56.

HOMETOWN: Kansas City, Kan.

FAMILY: Three children, Drew, 29; Alex, 25; and Jackie, 21.

OCCUPATION: President/CEO of the Greater Muskogee Area Chamber of Commerce.

EDUCATION: University of Oklahoma, Economic Development Institute; U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management at Notre Dame. Bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Kansas.

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: First United Methodist Church of Garden City, Kan.

HOBBIES: Kiwanis, canoeing, sailing.

Reach Mike Carrels at (918) 684-2922 or mcarrels@muskogeephoenix.com.