Scott Chambers announces bid

Scott Chambers has announced that he is seeking election to the Indian Capital Technology Center (ICTC) Board of Education, a position he has held since August 2022.

Chambers is vice president of real estate for Compass Realty & Construction Group, a registered nonprofit subsidiary of the Fort Smith Housing Authority, specializing in affordable housing in Fort Smith and Sebastian County.

Chambers was born in Fort Smith, and graduated from Muldrow High School in 1989. After graduating high school, Chambers began working at Exide Technologies, a battery manufacturing company in Fort Smith. During his 16 years with Exide, Chambers received multiple certifications, including forklift driving license and hazard material training, and an industrial wastewater treatment class III license.

In June 2006, Chambers started working for the Fort Smith Housing Authority, where he’s obtained a residential general contractors license as well as a real estate broker’s license. During his tenure, he’s been responsible for overseeing the development of three subdivisions of 172 affordable rental units utilizing government funding and low-income housing tax credits. Chambers manages the property management staff responsible for lease and maintenance of 482 rental units and capital improvements for other owned properties and construction of new housing for first-time home buyers.

Chambers and his wife, Tricia, a second-grade teacher at Liberty Public School, have lived in Muldrow since 2000. They have four children: daughter Jordan and Brandon Self of Moore, son Kyle and Jada Coatney of Muldrow, son Logan and Whitley Coatney of Roland, and daughter Madison Chambers of Muldrow. They have three grandchildren, Carter, Ellis and Peri.

Chambers is actively involved in the community by serving on boards and leading organizations. He currently serves on the Indian Capital Technology Center Board of Education. Prior to this, he served on the Muldrow Public School Board of Education for more than 10 years. He currently serves on the board of Life Church, where he and his family attend. Chambers is a Rotarian, and current president of the Southside Rotary Club of Fort Smith.

In his personal time, Chambers enjoys traveling with Tricia, and watching Madison play basketball for Oklahoma Baptist University. If they’re not watching basketball, it’s spending time with his grandchildren and building/flipping homes.

Chambers has been endorsed by Monte Madewell, current president of the ICTC Board of Education, and by Roger Sharp, an ICTC board member for 30 years.

“I feel Scott has the knowledge, skills, values and temperament to best represent District 3. I have known Scott for most of his life. I have watched him grow up and mature into an adult who prides himself on being a good husband, father and community leader. He has very good knowledge of the role and responsibility of a school board member, and has proven himself to be a level-headed and productive member,” Sharp wrote.

“Scott’s vision for ICTC is to continue to help identify and provide opportunities through new relevant programs for students to learn a trade or skill so that they might have a better opportunity to become productive and successful in life. We are all aware that college is not for everyone, and we still need skilled people who are willing to learn a trade and work to provide needed services for the communities where we live.”

Madewell wrote that Chambers “shares the vision and understanding of our mission in providing careers and a skilled workforce for our state. Scott’s extensive experience and knowledge as a past public school board member, realtor, construction contractor, and work with non-profits brings considerable insight to ICTC’s continued growth and progress. We’re fortunate to have a mandate with such exceptional qualifications.”