Profile : Jennifer Irwin
You might say she is well acquainted
As a person who moved to Fayetteville “ knowing one person in the entire state ,” Jennifer Irwin reflects that she ’ s has gotten a lot better acquainted .
Upon being named President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce late last year , she says she has been “ overwhelmed ” by congratulatory messages , cards and flowers from people in town and all over the state . It made her realize that her network of friends has multiplied considerably .
Jennifer actually remembers the moment when her chosen hometown captured her heart . A Dallas native , her parents told her she could choose any college in the Southwest Conference .
“ Shows my age , I guess ,” she chuckled . It was her mom who suggested she check out Arkansas .
“ Driving in on 112 , when we first saw the stadium come into view ,” she recalls , “ it just kind of clicked . Everybody we met when we were in town was so friendly . Everything just felt right .”
Living in Fayetteville continued to feel right as Jennifer earned a journalism degree in 1994 and went to work almost immediately in local television , where she would become a reporter , a spokesperson and promotions manager . All of it involved meeting new people , understanding their roles in the community and always , listening keenly .
After several years in TV , she segued to the Walton Arts Center as a corporate fundraiser , connecting with businesspeople and strengthening Fayetteville ’ s cultural atmosphere . She was drawn back to media , also hosting morning radio for a Cumulus Broadcasting station while still working at WAC . From early mornings on air , the days were long , she recalled .
Her next career development was a stint as social editor of Celebrate magazine , meeting even more active , interesting people of Northwest Arkansas . She had moved to host a Clear Channel Communications station morning show , as well , which became a fulltime berth .
Even while setting her alarm clock so early , Jennifer liked to fill her days . In 2009 , she asked Chamber president Steve Clark for extra work and was hired on a part-time basis . By 2011 the Chamber wanted her talents full-time . She focused on member initiatives such as Leadership Fayetteville , educating citizens about their city .
Jennifer committed to an energetic , talented team . They were constantly revving up the Chamber to keep pace with phenomenal growth of population and prosperity our city was ( and is ) experiencing , while nurturing the unique authenticity that hooked her , and other Fayetteville lovers , from the start .
“ Coming here is absolutely the best thing that ever happened to me ,” she believes .
While stepping up to command rank at the Chamber , she ’ s had “ aha ” moments of realizing how much she has personally learned about how her beloved town fits together , through business and industry but also education , government and culture . Jennifer has significant involvement in all of those sectors .
“ I ’ ve absorbed things over the years that I didn ’ t even realize ,” she said . “ And I ’ m still absorbing new information . There ’ s never the same day twice .”
Strength comes from not only what you know , but who you know , she observed .
“ It ’ s probably one of my proudest accomplishments , is building this great network of people , after moving here knowing only one person ,” she reflected . “ I ’ m so fortunate to have the support that ’ s been shown to me – it gives me such encouragement .”
With a packed Chamber agenda for 2025 and beyond , Jennifer is aiming to keep increasing her connections every day , meeting more and more people . “ There are more than 4,000 businesses in Fayetteville and we don ’ t have them all as Chamber members .”
Think her ambition is too big ? Remember that she started out knowing just one .
8 • FAYETTEVILLE MEANS BUSINESS 2025