Executive Summary: Murray says it’s an ‘exciting time’ for the Fort Smith/Van Buren area

‘Editor’s note: The Fort Smith Metro Daily News Executive Summary series is focused on looking under the title, so to speak, of a business, government, and non-profit executive in the Fort Smith metro.

Julie Murray is president and CEO of the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce, with experience in strategic planning and community development. Before returning to her hometown of Van Buren in early 2019, Murray was executive director of the Heber Springs Area Chamber of Commerce.

Prior to the Heber Springs Chamber, Murray worked at the Walmart home office in Bentonville in global communication, strategy, and development.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Arkansas and a master’s degree in leadership from John Brown University. In 2018, she graduated from the Community Development Institute and earned the certification of Professional Community and Economic Developer (PCED).

Murray serves on the boards of Western Arkansas Planning and Development, Fort Smith Regional Alliance, the Community Development Institute Alumni Advisory Board, and as a class director for the Community Development Institute.

• What was your first job and what did it teach you?
I started babysitting when I was 12 years old. My parents then helped me open a savings account and taught me how to save and budget my money. I feel fortunate to have learned that skill at a very early age.

• What is a principle or value on which you never compromise?
Transparency, and I greatly appreciate that value in others as well.

• What’s one belief you held strongly 10+ years ago that you’ve changed your mind about?
This isn’t a belief that I have changed but one that I have realized and developed over the last 10+ years, which is work/life balance for me and my team. We all have families, doctor appointments, school plays, baseball games, and there must be room for that in our lives. We work hard to make sure everyone can schedule time out of the office when needed. Having that benefit relieves a lot of stress and makes us all more productive.

• If you could change one thing about the Fort Smith/Van Buren metro, what would it be?
I wish I could snap my fingers, and Van Buren would be instantly ready for the growth that we will experience in the coming years. We are working hard to make sure our community, and businesses have what they need to take advantage of the growth we are beginning to experience. It is an exciting time to be living in the River Valley.

• What’s a lesson you’ve learned the hard way?
Well, there are so many to choose from but the one I lean on most is “Just because you are passionate about something, doesn’t mean you are right.” If you are passionate about your work, this is an easy trap to fall into, and I have learned to gather as much information and opinions as possible on any project I am passionate about.

• What keeps you up at night professionally?
Ideas. I am a strategic thinker so I am constantly churning ideas on how we can better serve our members and our business community. Some people wake up with music in their head, I wake up with ideas bouncing around in my head; some are good — some are not, and some are just laughable.

• What methods have you found most effective in engaging with and incorporating feedback from your community or team?
Getting out from behind my desk, as Sam Walton always taught. Some of our best programming ideas come from our members so it is important we meet them where they are and actively listen to understand their needs. In the office, our team greets each other every morning and discusses the plans for the day or any needs that may arise. It is a great way to stay connected and support one another.

• If you were able to get one piece of legislation through the U.S. Congress and signed into law, what would it be?
Funding to ensure that teachers and first responders are among the highest-paid professions in the country, as they are among the most critical professions in our country.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY SUBJECTS
Following are the links to previous posts in the Executive Summary series.
ArcBest Chair and CEO Judy McReynolds
Fort Smith Mayor George McGill
BHC President and CEO Marty Clark
Maryl Koeth Purvis, director of the Van Buren Advertising and Promotion Commission
University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Chancellor Dr. Terisa Riley
Fort Smith Public Library Director Jennifer Goodson
Bill Hanna, president, CEO, board chairman, Hanna Oil & Gas
Rodney Shepard, regional executive for Arvest Bank’s southwest region
Fort Smith Police Chief Danny Baker
Dr. Sandy Johnson, co-founder of Johnson Dermatology
Kyle Parker, president and CEO, Arkansas Colleges of Health Education
Melissa Curry, CEO, Methodist Village Senior Living
Michael Barr, president, Fort Smith-based WeatherBarr Windows and Doors
Sebastian County Judge Steve Hotz