by Megan Riaz
The world moves fast, and change is happening all around us. If you’re just twenty, you’ve already seen huge shifts in technology, culture, and business. But trying to picture life in 1900? That’s nearly impossible—it feels like something straight out of a history book or a novel.
Most of us won’t see 125 years, but we can celebrate the incredible journey of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and its far-reaching impact on Tyler, our lives, and our future.
For 125 years, the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce has been at the heart of economic progress, business development, and community success for the Rose City.
The Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce was founded on June 5, 1900. Daily life was starkly different, with residents relying on horse-drawn carriages for transportation and living without such luxuries as electricity and indoor plumbing.
To truly appreciate the growth of the Chamber, no one is more qualified to reflect on this milestone celebration than Henry Bell. His insights and experiences offer a unique perspective on the Chamber’s journey and its profound impact on our community over the years.
Henry Bell is a highly respected and well-loved Tylerite, with deep family roots dating back to 1840. Spanning eight generations, the Bell family has lived, served, and contributed to the growth and success of Tyler.
When Henry was hired as the Vice President of Conventions and Visitor Bureau in 1989, his recruitment was based, at least in part, on an unlikely source—a Myers-Briggs personality test.
“It came back that the number one thing I would be good at is working at a Chamber of Commerce,” Henry recalled with a chuckle. “The second thing was being a preacher.”
Henry had shared that little key piece of information with someone months before and had no idea that he would be recruited, and it would become his long-term career.
It turns out, the test was right. Over the decades, Henry has played a pivotal role in shaping the Chamber and navigating it through economic turbulence, technological revolutions, and community transformations.
“You never know when people are listening and might offer you a job,” he joked. His own career path is proof that sometimes, the right words at the right time can open unexpected doors.
When Henry first stepped into his role, the world looked vastly different.
“When I came to work in 1989, two days later was the first time we had even gotten a fax,” he said. “We had no email, no computers. The digital world has allowed us to do more things, but back then, everything was done by hand.”
Board meetings required meticulous preparation. “One person had to mail out notices about the meeting, and attendees had to send a reply back. After the meetings, our secretary would type up the minutes and mail them out again—it was a whole process.”
Henry’s journey with the Chamber wasn’t just professional, it was personal. “I was a volunteer before I was on staff,” he explained. “I had one week where I served as the head of the Contact Club and jointly on staff.”
That early involvement gave him a deep appreciation for the Chamber’s mission and the relationships that made it thrive. Around the same time, Tom Mullins joined to lead the Tyler Economic Development Council and to help the community diversify and grow. It was a time tainted with tough economic challenges, struggling businesses and high interest rates.
But as the years evolved, the Tyler Chamber prevailed and grew stronger. With leadership focused on future growth and opportunity, the Chamber continually adapted to the needs of a growing and thriving city.
• Early 1900s: Tyler’s economy was deeply rooted in agriculture, with the rose industry gaining prominence and eventually earning Tyler its nickname, the “Rose Capital of America.”
• Mid-20th Century: The Chamber supported industrial expansion, welcoming new businesses and fostering economic diversification.
• Late 20th and Early 21st Century: Tyler emerged as a regional leader in healthcare, education, and technology, with institutions like the University of Texas at Tyler and Tyler Junior College fueling workforce development.
• Present Day: Tyler is now a thriving business hub, attracting entrepreneurs, medical professionals, students, large corporations, and investors who recognize the city’s strong economic potential.
For Henry, the secret to a successful Chamber is simple: engagement.
“Not all chambers are successful, and I think it’s because they don’t try to engage their members,” he explained. “Some of them, by design, are separated from their tourism departments. We take the opposite approach.”
Keeping membership affordable has been a key priority. “We try to keep our pricing as low as we can. We want even the smallest businesses to be able to attend our luncheons, our events, and afford to be a member.”
But beyond affordability, it’s about connection. “It’s all about engagement. I just think that people and relationships matter most. We are a people organization.”
Like the city itself, the Chamber represents a parallel to Tyler’s identity—one built on strong relationships, deep pride, and a shared love for the community.
“That’s what makes this Chamber special,” Henry said. “It’s a reflection of the city and the people who make it great.”
That sense of connection is evident in the Chamber’s leadership. “We have 37 board members, and at our most recent board meeting, 34 attended. That tells you something.”
Looking ahead, the next chapter of Chamber leadership is gaining momentum with Henry’s recent hire of Chief Operating Officer Grant Ingram. While we may not have his Myers-Briggs results, what we do know is that he brings a strong foundation of leadership and community development experience.
A Tyler native, Grant is a graduate of Grace Community School and a 2015 Magna Cum Laude graduate of Texas Tech University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Restaurant, Hotel and Institutional Management. His professional journey has taken him across the state, serving as Assistant City Manager for Graham, Texas, as well as Executive Director of the Graham Economic Development Corporation.
With Grant stepping into this new role, the Chamber continues to evolve while staying true to its roots—fostering connections, growing businesses, and strengthening the Tyler community.
Through all the years of changes, the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce has served as a catalyst for growth and progress, helping businesses succeed and staying true to the heart of the community. And with Grant joining the team, that legacy of leadership is set to continue.
As for whether the Myers-Briggs test got it right? Henry Bell’s decades of service prove he was the perfect fit.