Rick Chambers is new South Kansas City Chamber of Commerce president

By John Sharp

Long-time south Kansas City resident and community leader Rick Chambers has been selected as the new president of the South Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and will begin his new duties May 1.

Chambers has been affiliated with the Center School District for many years, first serving as executive director of the Center Education Foundation which raises private funds to support district programs and most recently as director of communications & development for the District.

He also has served for years on the Chamber’s Board of Directors and served as Board chair in 2017.

“Rick’s deep roots in our community, combined with his past leadership experience within the Chamber, make him the ideal candidate to lead us into the future,” said Jenny Mertes, Chamber Board chair.

In an interview, Chambers noted he has lived in south Kansas City for nearly 40 years and said it’s been a wonderful place to raise a family and build lifelong relationships.

“I am excited to take on a new role with the Chamber to help others have great experiences here just as we have,” he said.

Chambers said the organization will continue to be very active in supporting economic development, especially for startup entrepreneurs, as well as continuing to support the area’s educational institutions and community service organizations.

He noted that he looks forward to continuing the Chamber’s annual Impact Awards program that recognizes businesses, nonprofits and other community organizations for their work to make south Kansas City a great place to both live and work.

He also praised the Chamber’s Leadership South KC program that gives area business leaders and their employees an opportunity to interact with different levels of government and major community organizations and institutions for several months so they can become effectively involved in civic activity to improve the south Kansas City area. 

He said the workforce development center that the Chamber operates at its headquarters in the Blue River Commerce Center is being upgraded with better technology and audio/visual capabilities so it can be as effective as possible in supporting workforce training for south Kansas City businesses and other organizations.

Chambers will replace Vickie Wolverton who has served as Chamber president for over 18 years and recently resigned effective May 1 to take a full-time position as district manager of the Martin City Community Improvement District that she has worked with for years pursuant to a contract between the District and the Chamber.