President celebrates decade with Bossier Chamber

Next month will mark Bossier Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Lisa Johnson’s 10 years with the organization.

It’s an anniversary Johnson said she is proud to honor. In her tenure with the chamber, Johnson has seen membership grow 34 percent and programs grow to 152 percent, while earning the nationally recognized 4-Star Accrediation with the U.S.

Chamber of Commerce and now she is looking to the future to celebrate the increasing growth projected for Bossier City/Parish.

“During the next 10 years, Bossier residents and business owners should look for continued growth of education, technology, government (military), medical and oil and gas. We are poised to position ourselves as the next great place to live, work and play,” Johnson said.

“Through the Bossier Innovates campaign, a regional branding and awareness campaign, we are sending the message that we are willing to step out and the be on the forefront, take a risk and make it happen. The pinwheel in the logo represents forward constant movement of right angles that engage one another for a common goal,” she said.

Johnson said a big part of the chamber is being strategic in their process.

“Each year we evaluate our processes with the business community as we are looking for more efficient ways to partner for added growth and sustainment,” Johnson said. “We will continue to ask the hard questions, listen and connect the businesses to solutions.”

Johnson said Bossier has seen significant growth during the past 10 years.

“The growth has been concentrated to the north migrating its way to the east through Haughton and now focusing on the Southern portions of the parish,” Johnson said. “With the comprehensive master plan in place shared by the governing authorities, Bossier should be able to maintain the growth and see more to come.”

Johnson said with the growth comes more opportunity for the chamber.

“While we are an established community of multi-generational families, we are a welcoming community of transitioning families,” she said.

“Bossier is a great place to raise your family. With growth comes change, with change comes challenges; but, the residents of Bossier have a strong sense of southern hospitality and are always welcoming.”

Johnson’s first role at the chamber was the executive director. She is a Bossier City native and takes great pride in her community. As a manager, Johnson said she has learned to overcome the challenges and seek opportunities.

“Under my management, with the support of the great leaders around our board table, we had a strategic plan in place to grow the chamber. The first was to look internally and enhance the way we communicate with our members realigning the roles of staff to best expedite this in a timely manner,” Johnson said. “Secondly, we looked at the membership to understand who they are and why are they a part of the Bossier Chamber. Over the last 10 years, we have continued to see the shift of membership from ‘civic duty’ to ‘return on investment through partnerships,’ therefore, the focus of the Bossier Chamber is to listen and deliver to the member the best ROI.”

Johnson said the chamber prides itself on relationship building.

“In order to build this relationship, you must be a good listener, be genuine and have the willingness to follow-through,” Johnson said.

“Communication is the key to a good relationship. Members don’t know what they don’t know. As a membership organization it is our responsibility to share information, educate and refer through opportunities, partnerships, advocacy and innovation.”

In all, Johnson said she sums up her 10 years as rewarding.

“It is exciting to see the growth in the community – being a native of the area, I love looking at where we have come from to where we are headed,” Johnson said.