Faces and Places

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce recently named J. J. Ament as president & CEO. For the past four and a half years, Ament led the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, the nation’s first regional economic development authority and the largest privately funded and governed EDO in Colorado.

The Metrocrest Chamber of Commerce (Texas) named Hayden Austin president. Before accepting the position, Austin served in the non-profit community of Abilene, Texas.

The Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce (La.) announced Thomas Falgout as their new president & CEO. Falgout has spent most of his career organizing, operating and supervising Boys and Girls Clubs in Louisiana, North Carolina and Texas.

The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce (N.Y.) named Nigar Hale, IOM, executive director. She is founder and president of Blue Pepper Strategies, Inc., a marketing solutions provider for small businesses. Her career experience also includes serving as vice president of marketing and membership for the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County.

Derrell Hartwick was named president & CEO of the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce (Ark.). Hartwick, who was previously the president & CEO of the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber of Commerce in Idaho, succeeds John Owens, who is retiring.

The Chemung County Chamber of Commerce (N.Y.) named Jennifer Herrick-McGonigal its new president & CEO. She was previously executive director of Elmira Downtown Development.

The Maryland Chamber of Commerce named Mary D. Kane president and CEO. Kane, an attorney and the former Secretary of State in Maryland, most recently worked for the U.S. State Department as director of the National Museum of American Diplomacy. She also served as executive director of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce from 2008-2011.

The Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce (S.C.) named John McCain as the chamber's president & CEO. McCain was previously deputy director and existing-industry manager for the Lancaster County Economic Development Department.

The Lubbock Chamber of Commerce (Texas) named Kay McDowell as its first female president & CEO. She succeeds Eddie McBride who retired after leading the chamber since 1999. Most recently McDowell was an executive vice president of public relations at Mitchell Communications, a Dentsu mcgarrybowen agency.

The Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce (N.C.) has named Trent McGee president. McGee began his career with the chamber as its director of public policy in 2010 and was most recently director of marketing and communications.

Gabriela Morales was named president & CEO of the Laredo Chamber of Commerce (Texas). Morales is an executive who holds over 20 years of experience with a deep focus on bilateral trade with Mexico, having worked for the City of Laredo and the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Gregory Scott was named president & CEO of the Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County (Pa.), succeeding Vern Squier, CCE, who retired after leading the CBICC since 2011. Scott was previously senior vice chancellor for business and operations at the University of Pittsburgh.

Eric Spoonmore was named president & CEO of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce (Ind.). Spoonmore comes to the chamber after serving as Monroe County Council president and as an associate director for enrollment management for the Kelley Direct MBA and MS Programs at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business in Bloomington.