Faces and Places

The San Angelo Chamber of Commerce (Texas) named Steve Ahlenius, CEcD, president and CEO. He comes to the position after leading chambers in Beaumont and McAllen, Texas.

Megan Archer was named president and CEO of the Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce (W.V.). Archer was previously a digital marketing and media manager for Marshall Health Network.

The Columbus Chamber of Commerce (Ohio) named Derrick Clay president and CEO. Clay succeeds Don DePerro, who led the organization since 2016 upon his retirement. Prior to joining the chamber, Clay was a senior vice president at Shumaker Advisors, and before that spent nearly two decades with the government relations and lobbying firm New Visions Group, which he acquired in 2014.

The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce (Tenn.) named Stephanie Coleman president and CEO. Coleman succeeds Ralph Schulz, who retired after leading the chamber for 18 years. She started at the chamber in 2008 as a communications account executive, worked her way up the ranks to chief growth officer in 2015 and was named chief talent development officer in 2021.

Philip Hall was named president and CEO of the Gadsden/Etowah County Chamber (Ala.). Hall was previously the organization’s business development manager.

The DC Chamber of Commerce named Chinyere Hubbard president and CEO. Most recently, she served as chief marketing & strategic communications officer at the Greater Washington Partnership.

The Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce (Ark.) named Jennifer Irwin president and CEO. She had served as the chamber’s director of leadership/chief opportunities officer since 2012.

Amy Lovoi was named president and CEO of the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce (Texas). Prior to joining the chamber, Lovoi held leadership positions in national and international supply chain management.

Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership (Pa.) named Brandon J. Mendoza president and CEO. This role marks Mendoza's return to the chamber industry, having previously served as the government affairs manager for the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce earlier in his career. Most recently, Mendoza was executive director for NAIOP Pittsburgh.

The Harrison Regional Chamber of Commerce (Ark.) named Jeff Nielsen president and CEO. He was previously executive vice president of Houston Contractors Association in Texas.

Kevin Sheilly, CCE, was named president and CEO of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce (S.C.), following the retirement of Bryan Derreberry, who led the organization for more than 13 years. Sheilley comes to Charleston after leading the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership (Fla.) for over 12 years.

Ananda Sweet was named CEO of the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber (Calif.), making her the first woman to fill the role in the organization’s 118-year history. She was previously the chamber’s vice president of public policy and workforce development.

The Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance and Chamber Southwest Louisiana named Scott Walker president and CEO. He succeeds George Swift, who led the organization for 20 years. Most recently, Walker was president and CEO of Greater Lafayette Commerce (Ind.).

Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce (Ga.) named Alex Warner president and CEO. Warner was previously the chamber’s vice president of economic development. He succeeds James McCoy, who led the organization for 20 years.

Steve Wittry was named president and CEO of the Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce (Ga.). He succeeds Jim Shaw, who retired after leading the organization for more than nine years. Wittry operates Relationship Edge Consulting, Inc.