Who is leading Ponca City today? Look around almost any boardroom, community event, fundraiser, volunteer project or civic initiative, and you’ll find a Leadership Ponca City graduate. Some are CEOs. Some are elected officials. Some chair nonprofit boards or lead civic organizations. Others quietly work behind the scenes. Together, they are the people who make things happen in Ponca City. That didn’t happen by accident.
Nearly 40 years ago, local insurance executive Charlie Hollar believed Ponca City’s future depended on intentionally developing leaders who would step forward when their community needed them. As Chamber Chairman, Charlie recruited Larry Bittman, Chamber CEO John Myers and other community leaders to turn that vision into reality. Leadership Ponca City was established as an initiative of the Chamber in 1987 and has since graduated more than 650 leaders.
The program has come a long way from its beginnings in the basement of the Ponca City Library. Today, participants experience immersive hands-on learning that takes them inside local businesses, schools, nonprofit organizations and every level of government, providing a firsthand look at the people and partnerships that make Ponca City thrive. Leadership Ponca City Class 40 is led by Chairs Molly Kyler, Erica Fetters and Jeff MacKinnon. Each monthly session is planned by a Leadership Ponca City graduate who volunteers as a day chair, bringing expertise and passion to develop future leaders.
On August 12, Orientation Day quickly transformed classmates into teammates. Through interactive teambuilding and leadership activities, Class 40 built relationships that will last a lifetime. At noon, the class was introduced to the community during a luncheon, allowing local leaders to welcome and encourage Leadership Ponca City Class 40.
Two weeks later, the class headed north to Camp Horizon for the annual overnight Leadership Retreat, where teammates became friends. Through the low ropes course and meaningful discussions, participants discovered the core values they share as a class and identified issues they believe are important to Ponca City’s future. At Inspiration Point after dark, Class 40 shared personal stories in an atmosphere of unconditional trust, which sometimes led to moments of vulnerability that deepened friendships and strengthened the class bond.
A signature component of Leadership Ponca City is the class project. Every class identifies a community need and develops a project that leaves a lasting impact. The retreat marks the beginning of that process, and Class 40 will learn how to build partnerships, organize volunteers, raise resources and turn ideas into action. Those lessons will serve them and our community long after graduation.
Leadership Ponca City projects continue to benefit Ponca City. The Father Daughter Dance began as a Leadership Ponca City project and continues today as a fundraiser for the Opportunity Center. Class 39’s Ponca Passport project is now coordinated by the Ponca City Tourism Bureau. A few other projects include Mr. Ponca City, the restoration of the Fireman’s Bell, the Battle of the Burger, and most recently, the Pack the Pantry Talent Showcase, which raised nearly $30,000 to provide snacks for Ponca City Public Schools.
Next spring, Class 40 will return to Camp Horizon to complete the high ropes course and determine “Where do we go from here?”, bringing their Leadership Ponca City journey full circle. The final session is a powerful reminder of how much participants have grown, and that with trust, teamwork and confidence, they can accomplish more than they ever imagined.
Who are the people making things happen in Ponca City? Increasingly, they are Leadership Ponca City graduates. As Class 40 begins its journey, they will become part of a legacy that has strengthened Ponca City for more than four decades by developing leaders who recognize a need, bring people together and turn ideas into action. To view a list of the current leadership class, visit
poncacitychamber.com/leadership-ponca-city
