History of the Graham Chamber of Commerce
The Graham Chamber of Commerce was formed in with about 50 members in an effort to leverage the power of businesses working together to promote local commerce. M.K. Graham served as the first President of the Graham Chamber of Commerce. By 1929, the Chamber of Commerce had grown to approximately 250 total members. Today, the Chamber of Commerce has about 375 members and now offices inside the Graham Visitor and Business Center at 608 Elm Street.
For more information about the Chamber of Commerce initiatives, please click here. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Graham Chamber of Commerce, please click here.
Mission and Initiatives
Leadership and Governance
The Graham Chamber Board and staff works together in providing a positive environment for professional, motivated and educated staffing and leadership for the Chamber, as well as facilities that represent the business community as a leader in technology and overall operations.
Advocacy
Works to support the membership and business community by advocating on local, state and national legislative issues that will impact their overall success.
- Graham Day in Austin
- Representation at City Council meetings and Young County Commissioner meetings
- Connects membership with our local, state and national representatives to advocate on behalf of business in Young County.
Education
Provides forums, seminars, articles, and guest speakers to assist business members with opportunities to expand their knowledge and that of their employees on current trends for success. To work with the educational community in training the future workforce needed to grow our businesses.
- Workforce and Education Committee
- Special seminars and presentations
- YOU Lead Program
- Quarterly Luncheon topics
- Teacher Appreciation Breakfast
Networking and Promotion
Creates opportunities to build successful networks of business relationships, through luncheons, business after hours mixers, networking groups and committees. The Chamber also promotes membership through maps, referral guides and business directories, as well as social media and a world class website.
- Quarterly luncheons
- Ambassador Program
- Ribbon Cuttings and Open Houses
- After Hours Mixers
- Networking Groups
- Shop Local Committee
- Graham Map
- Graham Community Guide
- Featured Member of the Month – Facebook and local radio
Meet the Board of Directors
Bottom Row (from left to right): Brendan Weatherman, Stephanie Campbell, Jolene Jordan, Cathy Partridge, & Chance Condron
Executive Committee
- Board Chair – Jolene Jordan, Jordan Pharmacy
- Outgoing Chair – Chance Condron, SB StreetCo.
- Incoming Chair – Amy Pinkston, Graham Savings & Loan, SSB
- Stephanie Campbell, Campbell Farm & Ranch
Board of Directors
- Magen Bunyard, NCTC
- Darren Helm, First State Bank
- Brendan Weatherman, Young County Farm Bureau
- Tim Walker, Positive Country Radio
- Toby Reddell, De La Cruz and Reddell, Attorneys at Law
- Sheena Parrilla, Weatherbee Real Estate
- Sherry Walls, Ciera Bank/Reclaimed Style
- Becca Sullivan, Bryan Insurance Agency
Ex-officio members
- President of Graham Industrial Association (GIA) – Chris Blanton
- Assistant Graham City Manager – Grant Ingram
- Chairman of Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) Board – JW Budge
- GISD Superintendent – Sonny Cruse
Meet the Chamber Ambassadors
Meet the Chamber and CVB team
Cathy Partridge
CEO, Graham Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau
One thing you will quickly learn about Cathy is that she is passionate about her faith, family, and the people and projects in the community in which she lives.
Starting with faith: Cathy retired as a Local Pastor in the United Methodist Church of the North Texas Conference on February 1, 2020. She served as an Associate Pastor at Royse City United Methodist Church for two years and as an Associate Pastor for First United Methodist Church of Frisco for seven years. She was then appointed as the Senior Campus Pastor of a new church start in Princeton for two years, and last was appointed as Senior Pastor of Caddo Mills United Methodist Church for two years. That is a total of 13 years in ministry prior to retirement and each of those years brought a deeper understanding of the relationship between God and God’s people, many new friendships, new skills, and new adventures.
United Methodist pastoral ministry was a second career following over thirty years in the field of law, serving at some very small and quite large law firms in various capacities from secretarial, to paralegal, to law firm management. Only God could have gotten her to leave those paychecks behind.
Second, family: Cathy’s family consists of her husband, Brad, and THREE dogs – Annie a Goldendoodle, Emmie a Labradoodle, and Dasher, a Yorkie puppy. Cathy and Brad do have some two-legged children, one daughter and two sons who are doing well in life all on their own. They also have three grandchildren, Shaun, Jaiden and Isaac. Cathy and Brad decided that when they retired, they wanted to live on a lake somewhere – and fortunately for them they ended up here in Graham. Cathy and Brad are both very active, enjoying long walks, bike riding, golfing, kayaking, and just about anything else that keeps them on the move.
Third, community: She describes herself as a “people person” and is passionate about impacting the way people live, learn, lead, and love. Therefore, the opportunity to serve our community through the Graham Chamber of Commerce fits her perfectly.
Cathy is a Texas native who grew up in Royse City and graduated from high school there. Her college career is long and diverse, having attended courses at Texas A&M Commerce, Whatcom Community College, and Liberty University. Cathy completed her Course of Study classes at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in July 2014.
Other community interests have included serving for a long time in the Dallas Emmaus Community, in addition to serving on the leadership team for the Clergy Women of the North Texas Conference, Chair of the Fellowship of Local Pastors, on the Board of Ordained Ministry, Collin County Council on Family Violence board, and on Disaster Response teams. Now all that energy and passion (or most of it) will be focused on the Graham Chamber of Commerce.
Amanda Dulany
Executive Director, Visit Graham
Amanda Dulany joined the Convention & Visitors Bureau as the Executive Director in May 2023. Originally from Benbrook, Texas, Amanda graduated from The University of North Texas in 2009 with a Bachelor of Social Work. Amanda has lived coast to coast, a journey credited to the 10 years her husband, Jake, spent as an active-duty Marine. After Jake and Amanda felt called to take their family home to Texas, they landed in Graham, America in 2016. Outside of work, you are most likely to find Amanda volunteering for a community event, or on an outdoor adventure with her family.
Cayley Strickland
Executive Director, Graham Chamber of Commerce
Cayley Strickland joined the Chamber of Commerce in April of 2022 in the role of Administrative Assistant and, after three months, moved into the Chamber Executive Director position. Cayley grew up in Jacksboro, TX, and graduated from Oklahoma State University in December of 2018. After graduating from OSU, she moved to Wichita Falls and began her career as a social media account executive for a local marketing agency. After 2.5 years in marketing, she decided it was time for a change and began her journey with the Graham Chamber of Commerce. When she is not at work, you can find her with her family in Jacksboro or back in Stillwater, rooting on the Cowboys at football games!
Ashlyn Weaver
Event & Marketing Designer
Ashlyn Weaver joined the Chamber of Commerce in July of 2022 in the role of Administrative Assistant. Ashlyn grew up in Georgetown, TX, and attended Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas. After attending the University, she moved to Weatherford, TX and began her career as a social media manager and content coordinator for a local clothing brand. After 2 years she decided it was time for a change and began her journey with the Graham Chamber of Commerce. When she is not at work you can find her with the Walls Family enjoying family time or shopping around town!
Grant Ingram
Economic Development Director
Grant Ingram joined the Chamber of Commerce team in May of 2019 in the role of Convention and Visitors Bureau Manager. Grant grew up in Tyler and is a graduate of Texas Tech with a Bachelor's degree in Restaurant and Hotel Management. After college Grant spent several years working on a ranch in Wyoming before returning to his roots here in Texas. In 2021, Grant accepted the position of Economic Development Director for the City of Graham and he looks forward to continuing his service to the local economy.