Many people move to different cities for different reasons, but Bruce Partain said he made an "intentional decision" to move to Nacogdoches in 2001, when he was tapped to serve as president/CEO of the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce.

He had previously served as vice president of the Midland Chamber of Commerce from 1989 to 2001. With this background, he brought the administrative experience of day-to day-operations of a chamber to Nacogdoches. He has proven to be an asset to Nacogdoches because he led the team that successfully earned accreditation for Nacogdoches County as a Texas Certified Retirement Communities. Recently he helped Nacogdoches County gain recognition as one of America's Promise Foundation's 100 Best Communities for Young People.

My first direct association with a chamber, was my selection as a charter member for Leadership DeKalb in the '80s, sponsored by the chamber of commerce in DeKalb County, where we lived with our children at the time. This experience was both informative and educational. We had an opportunity to look at city and county resources and responsibilities to the citizens. I graduated with a certificate of honor, with knowledge and a whole new respect for local government and its operations. This is why I know that it is important that the individual in this role is knowledgeable about local government. Bruce Partain has a wealth of administrative experience and well-traveled, and I believe that he is "global" in his thinking. A chamber leader should be: first, a face for Nacogdoches; second, knowledgeable of travel, to see what other cities are doing; and third, a "people person" because he will have to interact and network with local and potential business owners and civic leaders.

Partain does it all, and he does it well, in my opinion.

Bruce Partain said, "Including the challenges that Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce provided," he was impressed by the beauty of the trees and the general geography of Nacogdoches, explaining why he said "I came to Nacogdoches intentionally."

His travels have been extensive, including a year of living with his family in Australia which qualifies him as well-traveled and helps him to be "global" in his thinking. He holds a journalism degree from Oklahoma State University and geology degrees from the University of Texas — Permian Basin. He is also a graduate of U.S. Chamber Institute for Organizational Management at Southern Methodist University and a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma. Such specialized training uniquely qualifies him for this role, in my opinion.

I often see him at civic events networking and engaging in conversation with people, which tells me he is indeed a "people person." I pointed him out at one such event, and my husband said, "Oh that man has something to do with the chamber, because he was on the bus with us today." My husband and his brother, Roy Mills, were on an agricultural tour with the Texas Small Farmers and Ranchers members, when Partain joined them with his camera. I learned that it was not unusual for Bruce Partain to join various groups in an effort to learn even more about Nacogdoches. Bruce often has his camera at these events, explaining that he can use his news media background, primarily as a photographer, for the benefit of the chamber. The chamber also puts out an impressive annual chamber publication in which he can use his experience as a writer and an editor. His photos have been published in Texas Highways, Texas Monthly and the New York Times.

I asked to visit Bruce Partain for this interview at his office because I wanted to observe him in his working environment where I had an opportunity to meet his staff and his work environment. The visit proved to be just as I expected. The chamber is well-organized with a staff appearing to be as organized and efficient as their leader. Bruce Partain came out to greet me shortly after I arrived, introducing me to each staff member and briefly explaining what each person does.

I discovered most of the perceptions I had of him were true. He very cool, focused, creative and detail-oriented. He also has a knack for turning the tables on you. For example, while I was interviewing him, he was interviewing me. I think he learned as much about me and my family as I learned about him and his family. When I noticed how clean and organized his office was, I asked him if it was always that neat. He laughed saying, "I cleaned up because I knew you were coming." It is human nature to tidy up some, if we know company is coming, but in Bruce Partain's case, folks, I believe he did not tidy up that much.

During our conversation I concluded that Bruce Partain has an awareness and complete understanding of the Nacogdoches landscape, relating to the chamber and its operations, with the more than 800 business members and with economic development.

This is a "good thing for the oldest town in Texas." I also discovered he has a knack for putting things in perspective, offering a balanced and focused attitude regarding most situations here in Nacogdoches.

Partain is married to Dr. Linda Bond, who teaches advertising and news writing at SFA. They worship at First United Methodist Church. He enjoys music, golf, fishing, photography and looking at maps.

Thanks Bruce Partain for "intentionally" choosing Nacogdoches.

Jeri Mills is a retired educator

and a contributing writer.