Greater Killeen Chamber Introduces New CEO and President
Newly appointed CEO and President of the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce, Scott Connell (right) and his 20-year-old son Paten Connell (left) overlooking a mountain range on their trip to Colorado over the summer.
By Tanner Carlson
Communications Manager
The Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce welcomes a new CEO and President for the first time in nearly 20 years. Starting today, Scott Connell will begin his tenure as the Chamber’s CEO and President. Connell spent the last three and a half years at the Temple Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and has over 36 years of experience helping communities such as Belton, Irving, Sherman, Victoria, Waco, and Yoakum.
Connell is following in the large footsteps of long-time Chamber CEO and President John Crutchfield III, who retired after 18-years of service to the Chamber. During his time with the Chamber, Crutchfield received the Good Neighbor Award, and the Association of the United States Army Award among other professional achievements.
“Scott has a great deal of experience and knowledge in economic development.” Crutchfield says of Connell, “He will contribute to, and make a difference in, the economic development effort from day one.”
In addition to his professional travels, Connell experienced different cities as the son of a US Marine officer. He attributes his upbringing as one of the many factors that led him to a city like Killeen, who has a heavy military community with its connection to Fort Hood.
“If you hang around long enough in your life, your life will circle back on you.” Connell explains his long-standing relationship with his predecessor, John Crutchfield. “It is a very unique thing. I initiated the Belton economic development program in the early ‘90’s. I’ve also been in Waco, Temple and now Killeen. So Central Texas is where I need to be.”
Connell is a graduate of the University of Texas, and you can find him on his couch Saturday afternoon’s rooting on the Longhorns, but he makes it clear that he doesn’t show any bias when it comes to helping the community flourish.
“I’m a big supporter of my university,” Connell prefaced, “But I look forward to advancing my relationships at Texas A&M -Central Texas and the Texas A&M System.”
Over the Summer, Connell and son Paten, took a road trip to Colorado to hike the Rocky Mountain rage, go ziplining, and white-water rafting. Connell enjoys spending time with his son and ensures that when they are together it’s something they can do while both being active.
“He’s 20 now, so when you have a teenager, you’re going to be doing active vacations,” Connell continued “You can’t just be sitting around looking at your phone.”
When he isn’t working on strategic plans for economic growth at work, Connell says he spends his down time watching his favorite sports teams, outside landscaping in his garden, or reading. He says he could be reading six-to-seven books at any one time.
“They’re all a little different,” when it comes to his favorite genre. “Anything from comedy, historical, mystery, or even a leadership book. It just depends on the mood you’re in.”
Connell may binge read books like most people binge watch their favorite shows. His thought process behind it is that being more well-rounded in your interest helps being able to relate to other cultures, perspectives, and point of views in helping improve the community.
“My parents taught us that, and it’s something we’ve tried to teach our son,” Connell explains, “To get exposed to a lot of different things. I think that’s what makes a community. Cities are made up of a lot of different things. The more interested and engaged, the more you see the whole picture and recognize the things the drive the community.”
Connell is eager to continue the exciting upcoming projects that Crutchfield has laid a path for, but also in starting his own projects and putting his own stamp on the community.
Tanner Carlson is the Communications Manager for the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce. You can reach him at tanner@killeenchamber.com