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Happy July, Ponca City! It’s hard to believe but half of 2024 is in the books! As my sweet grandma always told me, “Shelley, the older you get, the faster life goes.” She was NOT wrong!
With that said, Kelsey Wagner, our 2024 Chamber Chair has completed half of her tenure. Let me tell you, serving as a chamber of commerce chair is time-intensive! The chamber chair attends ALL of our Chamber events, including ribbon cuttings, business recognitions, networking and business advocacy events, not to mention leading board meetings, strategic planning, community engagement and overseeing investment growth and retention. If you do not know, Wagner runs multiple businesses, including Ponca City Monthly, MyMediaMatters Creative Agency and is a Ponca City Commissioner. Her family is highly involved in Boy Scouts and she serves several nonprofits. Despite these commitments, Wagner still dedicates significant time to leading the chamber, advocating for local businesses and overseeing chamber activities. Without a doubt, committing to being a chamber chair indicates the drive to make a meaningful impact on the local business community and leverage the opportunity for networking and leadership development! True to the history of the Ponca City Chamber Chairs, Wagner does just that!
As I once again stroll down the memory lane of former Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber Chairs, the past chairs are nothing short of incredible. This month, I want to share some history of a father, son and like-family trio of past Ponca City Chamber Chairs – Lloyd (Jerry) Evans (Chair 1977), Lee Evans, Sr. (Chair 2012) and Linda Brown (Chair 2003).
“Jerry” Evans, originally from Cody, Wyoming, moved to Oklahoma while working for Haliburton in Guymon, Oklahoma. Jerry and his friend, Jim Throop, purchased the Auterson Construction Company in Ponca City in 1960 that consisted of one asphalt plant and 11 pieces of equipment on April 15, 1960, and the business was called “Evans & Throop.” In January 1975, the company was renamed Evans & Associates Enterprises, Inc. and remains in Ponca City with the same name today. Jerry was committed to Ponca City and his benevolence and work ethic have continued through generations. Jerry served as the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce Chair in 1977 and was known for his team-building approach, dedication to developing leaders and love for Ponca City. Jerry was also named “Boss of the Year” by the Ponca City Jaycees and was named Outstanding Citizen by the Ponca City Chamber in 1997. He passed away in 2002.
In 1975, let’s cue in Linda Brown, who became part of the Evans & Associates Team that year. Fresh off the farm and 21 years old, Linda began as the receptionist at Evans & Associates Enterprises, Inc. and thought she had the best job ever! Jerry took Linda under his wing and made her the leader she is today. Jerry always said, “Give me someone fresh off a hardworking farm who has common sense, and I will make a leader of them.” He did just that with Brown, and she rose from receptionist in 1975 to President of the company from 2002-12. She served as the Ponca City Chamber Chair in 2003 and was named Outstanding Citizen in 2006. Even though Brown does not bear the Evans name, she may as well be family. Today, she manages the Evans Family Foundation and is a consultant with Evans & Associates Enterprises, Inc.
“Jerry” Evans’ son, Lloyd “Lee” Evans, joined the Evan’s & Associates Team permanently in November of 1997. As a student, Lee, now known as Lee, Sr. worked in the field with the Evans employees to learn the trade, and according to Jerry, “You cannot make decisions related to employees until you have experienced what they experience regularly!” So, Lee, Sr. learned the trade and knows what it is like to walk in the shoes of Evans employees!
Before returning to Evans & Associates Enterprises, Inc. permanently, Lee, Sr. worked for Arkla, Inc. in Shreveport, Louisiana. He served as Vice President of the company and grew within the Arkla, Inc. ranks very quickly, taking over several different positions. With Jerry as an exceptional leadership mentor, guiding Lee, Sr. and others with unparalleled insight and compassion, Lee, Sr. took over as President of the Board and CEO of the family business in 2012.
Jerry taught Lee, Sr. the importance of benevolence, instilling in him the values of kindness, generosity and empathy toward others. As did the entire Evans family, Lee, Sr. loves his community. Being a quiet, benevolent community member, Lee, Sr. and his family members before him have contributed significantly to nearly every local cause in Ponca City through the Evans Family Foundation. They do so without seeking recognition or accolades. As his family has done for years, Lee, Sr. finds fulfillment in the positive impact he makes quietly behind the scenes. In his father’s footsteps, Lee, Sr. served as the Chamber Chair in 2012 and was the Chamber’s Outstanding Citizen in 2014.
From Jerry’s mentorship, the Evans family has a way of building a team and developing leaders. They highly value not only their community but their employees, as well. Evans & Associates Enterprises, Inc. is the epitome of a corporate family; no one is a number and everyone is much appreciated at all their businesses across the state.
Something I am so impressed with is a tradition started by Jerry that is still carried out today. Years ago, the company based only in Ponca City had a huge Christmas Party upstairs at their current location and gave everyone a turkey. Jerry believed it was imperative to touch the hand of every person who worked for the company and thank them for their service. Currently, Evans & Associates Enterprises, Inc. is the “granddaddy” of many subsidiary companies located across the state, and it is just not feasible to deliver turkeys from Ponca City to Altus, Alva, Miami and everywhere in between! Jerry began a tradition of loading up the Board of Directors and Executive Leadership Team on a bus to go to all subsidiary locations to provide each employee with a monetary gift, shake their hand and thank them for their service during the 1st week of December each year. That tradition still exists today and symbolizes the family’s commitment to valuing each employee, emphasizing a hands-on, inclusive approach to leadership and appreciation.
Lee Evans, Sr., CEO and Chairman of the Board, carries on the stand of excellence set by his father, Lloyd “Jerry” Evans, and has recently welcomed his son, Lee Evans, Jr., to the management team that will lead the company into the future. Without a doubt, Lee, Jr. worked in the field as did his father, Lee, Sr., before joining the management team! After all, how can you make decisions about employees if you have not walked in their shoes?
Not only are the Evans family members loyal to the community, but they are also loyal to the Chamber. Lee and his amazing wife, Laura, whom he met at Oklahoma State University, are sponsors of all Chamber events, always donate auction items and provide the use of their incredible Big Fork Ranch for the annual Chamber Retreat and Elected Officials Picnic.
The Evans family has a rich history with the community of Ponca City and with the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce, serving in key roles, fostering business growth and mentoring new investors. Mentored by his father, Lee Evans, Sr. provides balanced, thoughtful guidance and support to many community members, helping us navigate challenges and make informed decisions while inspiring and nurturing the next generation of leaders.
The leadership provided to the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce by Jerry Evans, Lee Evans, Sr. and Linda Brown has been instrumental in our success and we appreciate their dedication immensely! We also see continued Chamber leadership mentored by the Evans family. Currently, Brad Fox, Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Human Resources, serves on our Chamber Executive Committee as our Treasurer and is a Tourism Bureau Trustee, and Jason Grace, President of Kaw Land & Cattle Co., another subsidiary company of Evans & Associates Enterprises, Inc., is on the Chamber Board of Directors.
The Evans family legacy of leadership illuminates a path of hope and inspiration for generations to come in Ponca City!
For more information about the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce, please visit www.poncacitychamber.com.
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