Chamber Leadership
Our Unique Organization
The Ardmore Chamber and the Ardmore Development Authority
are part of a unique "organization".
Though governed by different boards, they are under the same management
staff and housed in the same building.
The "organization" includes two public trust authorities (Development
and Tourism), a membership association, and a charitable organization. Management services for all entities are
provided by the Chamber of Commerce and defined in an annual "Management
Agreement" letter.
The President and CEO of the Chamber also serves in the same
capacity for the Ardmore Development Authority, Ardmore Tourism Authority and
the Chamber Foundation.
ARDMORE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
The ADA
was born on April 15, 1964 following cooperative efforts of city officials and
the Chamber of Commerce.
The ADA is formed under the
Trust Indenture Statues of the State of Oklahoma
(Title 60, O.S. 1961, Sections 176 180 inclusive), the Oklahoma Trust Act and
other applicable Statutes. This was the
first such Authority in the state and has since been the model for others.
The City of Ardmore is the beneficiary of the Trust. As such, the City appoints the nine trustees
and must approve all issues of debt of the Authority. The City does not approve the ADA budget and
activities. The ADA provides the City with an annual audit
and report of activities.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Chamber is a 501 (c) 6 membership organization. Payments to the Chamber are deductible as a
legitimate business expense.
The purpose of the Chamber is to provide leadership for the
promotion and advancement of the economic vitality and quality of life for the
greater Ardmore
area. The Chamber is the business
advocate and community action agency.
THE ARDMORE
CHAMBER FOUNDATION
The Chamber Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 charitable
organization. Donations to the
Foundation are tax deductible.
The Foundation's broad purposes include charitable works,
research, education, service and promotion of like functions.
THE ARDMORE
TOURISM AUTHORITY
The ATA is a public trust authority and as such, functions
in a similar fashion to the ADA. Donations to the ATA (and the ADA) are tax deductible.
The purpose of the ATA is to construct and operate the
convention center, and to promote tourism in the Ardmore area.
Noted Foundation and Tax Attorney David Rosenberg, Thompson & Knight, has issued an opinion that the ATA and the ADA qualify as a state instrumentality and accordingly, are proper recipients of charitable contributions under Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code.