Lisa Friday Johnson Marks Two Decades as President and CEO of Bossier Chamber of Commerce: Milestones, Achievements, and Plans for Future Growth

Bossier City, LA – Lisa Friday Johnson: A Champion for Bossier Parish

Lisa Friday Johnson, a native-born and raised resident of Bossier City, has clocked 20 years as the President and CEO of the Bossier Chamber of Commerce, a milestone she did not foresee when she launched her career in the hospitality industry.

Twenty Years of Transformation

Before occupying the position of President and CEO of the Bossier Chamber of Commerce, Johnson proved her mettle in the hospitality industry. However, at the nudging of her friends, she took the leap, submitted her resumé, and two decades later, she continues to impact the community passionately.

A Native’s Passion

As a staunch local of Bossier City, Johnson expresses her love for her home by striving to make it better. “When you have pride and passion for where you live, it is not hard to be excited about a job that ties into all of these things as well,” says Johnson.

Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Accomplishments

Over her two-decade tenure, Johnson and the Bossier Chamber of Commerce have achieved numerous milestones that have significantly impacted the local community. This makes it challenging to pinpoint singular accomplishments. From providing exceptional services to their members, nurturing robust partnerships, to fostering a productive relationship with the military community, the Chamber has made remarkable strides. In fact, in 2012, it was recognized as a Military Friendly Chamber by Entrepreneur magazine, and has been awarded a five-star accreditation, the highest possible, from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and named as the Louisiana State Chamber of the Year.

Representation and Collaboration across the region

With over 800 business owners across the region under the Chamber’s umbrella, its influence is widespread. According to Johnson, “We cover Bossier Parish, and 30% of our members are in Shreveport. We collaborate on every level locally with the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce and the Shreveport-Bossier African American Chamber of Commerce, as well as having involvement at the state and national levels.”

Embracing Change and Innovation

Johnson notes that the Chamber has evolved significantly over the past 20 years. Adapting to the varying economic trends and nurturing its vision of aiding individuals, businesses, and agencies, the Chamber has worked tirelessly to establish valuable connections between local businesses.

Benefits of the Chamber

As per Johnson, the benefits of the Chamber can be identified in its four pillars — Advocacy, Partnership, Education, and Innovation, which have contributed towards building it as a hub for The Bossier Innovators.

Looking Ahead

While acknowledging that 20 years is a significant time to occupy the same position, Johnson advocates for the idea that her journey is far from over. “Knowing this 20-year mark was on the horizon, I started sharing that when it hit; I really wanted things to change. We are working on a really strong strategic plan, a refocus of the Bossier Chamber and our community development,” said Johnson, revealing the organization’s future plans.