Odessa Chamber of Commerce – Renee Henderson-Earls
Renee Earls is the current President/CEO of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce. She is an Odessa native and a graduate of Permian High School. She went on to attend Odessa College and then Texas Tech and achieved a degree in Journalism.
She came back from Texas Tech and begin working as a reporter and morning anchor for KMID-TV Big 2 News for four years. Later on, she transitioned into healthcare public relations and marketing and worked as the Communications/Marketing Director at Medical Center Hospital for 14 years.
She along with her husband, Rich, bought the Odessan magazine in 1999 as the fifth owners. It’s the longest running community magazine in Texas! She calls this her, “midnight job” as it takes up much of her free time. The magazine feels more like a hobby to her than it does work though, and it lets her utilize her journalism degree.
Renee has spent the last 30 years volunteering for various organizations, including the Odessa Chamber of Commerce. When the President/CEO position opened up in 2016, Renee jumped at the opportunity and was honored to transition from volunteer to becoming a staff member. Renee says, “It is my honor and privilege to help promote our community, and be part of our growth and vision for the future.”
“There is so much I love about Odessa! Obviously, the people, along with nice weather most of the time. There’s plenty of opportunities available in Odessa! If someone wants to get involved and make a difference, there are plenty of needs to be met. Odessa is a place where we roll up our sleeves and get things done - we are workers! I am so blessed with longtime friends here! I’m proud of my roots and community and I would not live anywhere else!”
Renee has been married to her husband, Rich for almost 26 years and together they have a blended family. Mitch lives in Albuquerque with his wife Liz along with two grandchildren; daughter Morgan lives in Oakland, and their son Preston will enter his final year of law school at Oklahoma City University in Oklahoma City, OK.
Renee’s house is home to their two English bulldogs, their son’s Chocolate Lab and their two cats. Renee tells us that they are an active family and don’t do much sitting around. “We love to travel, binge watch our many favorite shows and root on (hopefully in person) any sport my Texas Tech Red Raiders are playing!”
Renee tells us on a personal note, “I’m so proud and blessed to say my 88-year-old parents still live in the house I grew up in and will soon celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary!” Congratulations to them!!