Del City Chamber changes leadership
Change in leadership is coming to the Del City Chamber of Commerce.
Goodwin may be new to the chamber, but she’s no stranger to the community. She was born and raised in Del City and returned after college to raise her family in her hometown.
“This is home to me. I’ve always cared about Del City and always been active here,” she said. “It felt natural to bring my background and skills to continue to grow Del City.”
Goodwin started training on Monday and will take over as director July 30. Bibens, who held the position for seven years, has enjoyed serving the community and believes the future is bright with Goodwin.
“I’m leaving the chamber in better shape than when I came here, and I’m leaving it in very good care with Carol,” Bibens said.
Goodwin plans to spend the next couple weeks learning as much as she can from Bibens, who has lived in the community for more than four decades.
“I think when you come into an organization you need to understand the mission and get to know the members and their individual needs,” she said. “It’s i
Carol Goodwin (Left) and Kay Bibens (Right) pose for a photo at the Del City Chamber of Commerce. Goodwin is replacing Bibens as the chamber’s executive director at the end of the month. Bibens has served as director for the past seven years. (Staff photo by Jeff Harrison)
mportant to see what things have worked before you jump in and start making a lot of changes. We need to hone the things that have worked well and phase out the things that no longer serve a purpose.”
Goodwin also plans to encourage community involvement among younger residents.
“What I hope to bring to Del City is new generation that loves the community and wants to see it moving forward,” she said. “We do have an aging population and I want to help reinforce that this a great place to raise a family and live and do business.”
Goodwin has served active roles in the Del City community, ECU Alumni Association, and numerous other civic, political and religious organizations. She is a current member of the Del City Planning Commission and Beautification Committee and has organized successful improvement campaigns, including bringing new entrance signs into the city.
For the past six years, Goodwin has directed communication and government relations for the Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians in Oklahoma.
Goodwin earned her bachelor’s degree from East Central University in Political Science and Communication. During her time at ECU, she was involved in several student organizations. She later earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Central Oklahoma. The MPA is an applied management and policy degree that prepares students for careers and positions of leadership in local, state, tribal, and federal governments; nonprofit organizations; and private firms doing business with governments.
She began her career in political campaigns, working on federal, state, and local campaigns across the country. Specializing in Oklahoma politics, she has experience in grassroots and community organizing, fundraising, special events, and issue advocacy, including strategic development, program implementation, and evaluation.
Goodwin married her high school sweetheart, Dylan and the family lives in Del City with their daughter Mallie. In her spare time, she enjoys issue advocacy and traveling. She also treasures time playing board games with her family and friends, new adventures with her nieces and nephews, and rooting on the Green Bay Packers.
Bibens said she is looking forward to retirement after working nearly non-stop since she was 16 years old.
“I’m turning 66 and all of my friends are retiring and it’s just time to have fun,” she said.
Bibens said the highlights of her time at the Del City Chamber of Commerce include; doubling memberships, opening the new chamber office, development of the E-3 Sentry AWACS model plane display and working with the DelQuest program. Before joining the chamber, Bibens worked at Aetna for 26 years and Gilmore Communications for 5 ½ years.
She plans to travel and spend more time with her family. Her husband David was a longtime educator and current member of the Mid-Del School Board. David started teaching at Soldier Creek Elementary in 1974. He later served as principal at Highland Park Elementary 22 years and retired in 2001.
The couple has lived the area for more than 40 years. They moved to Midwest City in 1974 and later to Del City in 1977.
