After a year-long search, the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce announced its new President on Wednesday. KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.

11-months after former Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce President Toby Teeter announced his departure; the organization hired his replacement.

The JACC Board of Directors announced in a press release Wednesday that Travis Stephens had been selected as the Chamber’s new President after a nationwide search. Stephens, a graduate of the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Arts in economics, later attending the University of Central Arkansas for graduate studies toward a Master of Science in Community & Development.

He comes to Joplin from the role of Chief Operations Officer for the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce, where he has served since March of 2019. Stephens’ first day with the Chamber will be June 28, 2022.