NEWSLETTER - MIDLAND’S VOICE OF BUSINESS - MIDLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NOVEMBER 2025
STATE OF OIL & GAS WEST TEXAS BUSINESS EXPO ANNUAL MEETING & AWARDS DINNER ARGENTINA-TEXAS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIBBON CUTTINGS WELCOME NEW MEMBERS LEADERSHIP MIDLAND HAPPY THANKSGIVING SHOP LOCAL THIS HOLIDAY
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2026 11 A.M. - 1 P.M. BUSH CONVENTION CENTER OIL&GAS STATE OF
FEATURED SPEAKER: NICK OLDS, EVP CONOCOPHILLIPS REGISTRATION DEADLINE: JANUARY 14 AT NOON REGISTER NOW: MIDLAND.BIZ/STATEOFOIL ANDGAS
Presented by:
Thursday, February 19, 2026 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Bush Convention Center **Free admission to the public
SPONSORED BY: ARRINGTON OIL & GAS CNB EXXONMOBIL
Secure your Booth, become a Sponsor and learn more at: midland.biz/west-texas-business-expo/
ANNUAL MEETING 2025 THE MIDLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE’S & AWARDS DINNER
PRESENTED BY:
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2025 Annual Meeting & Awards Dinner, presented by Priority Power!
The evening celebrated a year of progress, partnership and purpose — highlighted by the passing of the gavel honoring outgoing Board Chair Melissa Wicker and welcoming incoming Board Chair Dr. Darin Wood . We also swore in the Chamber’s 2025–2026 Board of Directors, reflected on milestones from the past year, and shared exciting announcements for 2026. In his acceptance speech for the Citizen of the Year Award, Don Evans reflected on Midland’s remarkable progress and future. The former Chairman of Permian Strategic Partnership and 34th United States Secretary of Commerce, highlighted ongoing infrastructure improvements, including upcoming development plans at the Beacon, and praised the region’s global impact. “This is an amazing place to live. It's amazing what this area has done and is doing to the world. Not enough people appreciate how the Permian Basin, which Midland is absolutely the center of it, has changed the world. If we were a country, we'd be the third largest producing country in the world, the Permian Basin.” He continued, “this is what we call the land of the high sky, and the sky's the limit. I went through the ups and downs of the industry, but all through that, I saw an optimistic spirit unlike I think exists anyplace else.”
Upon accepting the Wynn Award, Wesley Bownds , Regional President of Frost, humbly
highlighted the spirit of generosity found in our community.
“Midlanders who are serving on our community through non- profits, government entities, professional organizations, and various volunteer groups, all advocating for Midland in their own very unique way, thank you. You're living a life worthy of the
MTCU received the Heart of Midland – Small Business Award. Michelle Forest, Marketing & Business Development Manager, accepted the award and expressed gratitude for the recognition. calling you've received, the love and the care for others, and to promote prosperity in our community, thank you.”
“We are truly honored to receive this award.” She listed their community partners ECISD, MISD, Education Foundation of Odessa, Midland Education Foundation, and Greenwod ISD. She continued, “this is a community built on hard work, it’s built on generosity. And it’s built on leadership who strive for excellence. They’re always building for our future.”
Bill Stovall, CEO of CNB , accepted the Heart of Midland – Large Business Award on behalf of Community National Bank. With five decades of banking experience in the Permian Basin, he reflected on CNB’s long-standing commitment to Midland. “We are so proud and honored to receive this recognition tonight. We have a culture at CNB about working in this community, this community has given us so much. Our bank started 42 years ago as a small branch in South Midland. We are proud of what we have accomplished, and that is because of this community.” He also quoted his mentor, Bill Franklin: “Not only is it important [to give back], it is the right thing to do.”
We also highlighted our wonderful Chamber Ambassador volunteers, known as the M- Squad. The M-Squad Chamber Ambassador Awards are as follows:
Ambassador of the Year: Jay Norris Jack Moore Award: George McAlpine Scott Seator Rookie of the Year: Darshina Galloway Above & Beyond Award: Melloine Fraley, Yadira Granger, Rudy Infante, Danny Norwood, Marisa Valdez, Becky Wisdom, Dianne Wright Also acknowledged was the Volunteer of the Year: Jimmy Roark . Jimmy, Founder & CEO of JMR Services , participated in the Membership Event this past February and was responsible for a third of new membership dues generated at the event – a truly impressive feat in an event that engaged with almost 50 volunteers. A heartfelt thank-you to our VIP Sponsors, whose generous support made this event possible: Arrington Oil & Gas Operating, LLC , Chevron, Community National Bank, ConocoPhillips, Diamondback Energy, ExxonMobil, Frost, Henry Resources, Permian Resources, ProPetro Services Inc. and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.
Here’s to another year of collaboration and growth as we continue to move Midland forward!
The Midland Chamber of Commerce extends our sincere thanks to the Argentina-Texas Chamber of Commerce for inviting us to participate in the Bridging Argentina Texas Seminar! It was an honor to join business and energy leaders from across Texas and Argentina for a meaningful exchange on collaboration, innovation, and opportunities in the global energy landscape. Our CEO & President, Evan Thomas, served on Panel 1: “The Permian Blueprint: Building a Thriving Energy“ with Ruth Hughes, Partner at Kelly Hart & Hallman; Casey Yates, Senior Director of Finance at Permian Strategic Partnership; Maria Suarez-Simmons, VP of Energy Policy at Energy Workforce & Technology Council; and Aaron Demerson, President & CEO of Texas Economic Development Corporation. We’re grateful for the opportunity to represent Midland and the Permian Basin in fostering international partnerships that drive growth and connection. BRIDGING ARGENTINA TEXAS SEMINAR
RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY MIDLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Congratulations to FaithFlex Family Fitness on their Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony! FaithFlex is locally owned and open 24 hours, offering supervised child watch as an optional add-on. Their facility includes studio classes, cable weight equipment, free weights, cardio equipment, and—best of all—a supportive community where everyone feels welcome no matter where they are on their fitness journey. Ribbon Cutting & Ground Breaking Ceremonies are a complimentary benefit for Midland Chamber Members. To learn more, contact Sarah at sarah@midland.biz.
RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY MIDLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Congratulations to Prosperity Bank , who broke ground on their new two-story location, opening Fall 2026! The new center will be located at the northwest corner of Marienfield and West Louisiana Avenue.
Congratulations to Cavender Auto Family on their groundbreaking ceremony for the new Mercedes-Benz of Midland! We’re excited to see this incredible addition taking shape right here in our community!
RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY MIDLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE What a fantastic day of celebration! We kicked off the Permian Basin International Oil Show with a ribbon cutting, then honored 85 years of tradition with the Odessa Chuck Wagon Gang . Congratulations to both organizations!
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS GOLD MEMBERS LMB Heating and Air Paige Co. Professional Services, Inc. The Pointe Boutique
MEMBERS
Affordable Pest Control Blanca's Home Cleaning Services Lone Star Cash Homes, LLC Playgrounds Etc.
**Learn more about Membership at Midland.biz.
This month, Leadership Midland experienced a day in the oilfield, thanks to Fasken Oil and Ranch. Leadership Midland visited an active drill site where they learned operations first-hand. They were also exposed to tank batteries, pits and a gas plant. After a beautiful morning in the field, they headed to BBT where they learned about data storage available here in the Permian, followed by a lively discussion about the growing space and cyber industries coming to Midland. Leadership Midland also viewed a panel discussion regarding cyber security, data information, NASA, AIAA and Texas Space Alliance. Thank you to our Planning Committee, our hosts, and every educator committed to empowering the next generation of West Texans. To learn more about Leadership Midland, visit: midland.biz/leadershipmidland
Happy THANKSGIVING **PLEASE KNOWWEWILLBE CLOSED WEDNESDAYTHROUGH FRIDAY.
LOCAL this holiday SEASON. SHOP
MIDLAND’S VOICE OF BUSINESS
CONNECTING + STRENGTHENING + GROWING THE HEART OF WEST TEXAS SINCE 1924
MIDLAND.BIZ | 432-683-3381 INFO@MIDLAND.BIZ
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker