Getting to know Staci Williams: Executive Director, Possum Kingdom Chamber of Commerce

By Loretta Fulton | Photo by Erika Carter

Staci Williams:  Executive Director, Possum Kingdom Chamber of Commerce

Right off the bat, Staci Williams showed she had what it takes to succeed as executive director of the Possum Kingdom Chamber of Commerce.

Her first day on the job was Sept. 23, 2021, just a week away from Possum Fest, the chamber’s biggest fundraiser of the year.

Williams proved the board of directors made the right choice when they hired her, and her predecessor in the post, Pam Wheat, was immediately impressed with her replacement. Possum Fest is a major undertaking for the chamber each year, and lake residents always look forward to the event.

“She just started right in on it,†Wheat said.

Williams said she was grateful that Wheat agreed to stay on for six months to help her learn the ropes. She noted that the job had been important to her predecessor, and Wheat wanted to make sure her replacement was well-trained.

Wheat’s last day on the job was March 15, the same calendar day that she started working as an executive administrative assistant under executive director Gayla Chambers 16 years ago. When Chambers retired in 2017, Wheat took over as executive director.

Wheat and her husband live in a house they built in Palo Pinto County, about 30 miles from the lake, and she said they are enjoying the RV life and hanging out with their grandchildren.

Wheat said she loved every minute of her job and plans to continue to volunteer in the Possum Kingdom community.

“It was a great run,†she said. “It really was.â€

Wheat was in charge of the chamber through fires, droughts and the COVID-19 pandemic, and she said the PK folks proved to be tough throughout all of those notable events.

She said everyone was amazed at how many people – regulars and newcomers – showed up at the lake in late April 2020, a month into the pandemic. Being outdoors, especially on the lake away from crowds, seemed to be just what the doctor ordered, Wheat said.

“I have never seen so many people at the lake,†she said.

Wheat saw a lot of changes at the chamber during her tenure.

She helped automate a new website, which made it easier for people to find information, and she noticed many new businesses – especially entrepreneurial businesses – spring up, too.

Once people are lured to the lake, they tend to stay, Wheat said, adding: “I think we’re going to see a lot of growth out here.â€

Wheat announced her plans to step down from her post in July 2021 and was part of the hiring process for her replacement.

Williams, an Austin native, previously worked as a compliance officer at First State Bank in Graham, where she had been employed for 13 years. She graduated from Round Rock High School and attended Texas State University in San Marcos, and she earned an associate of applied science degree in travel and hospitality from the International Aviation & Travel Academy in Arlington.

Williams and her husband of 28 years, Matt, are the parents of three grown daughters. Their family home is in Graham, but the couple is familiar with Possum Kingdom Lake, visiting often since 1994. A dream of theirs is to someday live at the lake, Williams said, adding: “Lake life is a little more laid back, and the people here are just amazing.â€

One of her goals as executive director is to increase membership involvement. The chamber conducts events at the lake and supports activities sponsored by businesses and organizations, and Williams said she hopes to see the familiar faces continue helping – but she added that she wants new chamber members to get involved, too.

A huge event for the chamber will take place Saturday, July 9: the annual Hell’s Gate Fireworks Show, a major undertaking that takes lots of help. The company that normally puts on the show was unavailable on July 2, and the chamber tried to find another company for that date, but because of the terrain, the manpower needed and the sheer enormity of the event, no other business was available that could handle it.

“We hope that everyone will still be excited to come out and watch,†Williams said. “We’ve been told that it’s going to be bigger and better than ever this year.â€

From her vantage point, the future of Possum Kingdom Lake is bright, Williams said. New people aren’t just looking at the lake, she said; they’re also making it their place to call home. Many of them are buying existing businesses, too, or creating their own, and Williams encourages them to stop by the chamber for a visit.

“I hope that I can help promote our great businesses and help the citizens in any way that I can,†she said. “This is truly my dream job.â€