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Board of directors

Chair 

Michael Guymon, President/CEO
Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce

Vice Chair and Legislative Chair

Kimberly Kahl, Executive Director
Yuma County Chamber of Commerce

Immediate Past Chair

Raoul Sada, President/CEO
Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce 

Board Members

Tedy Burton, Friend Raiser
Buckeye Valley Chamber of Commerce

Joe Galli, Senior Advisor Public Policy
Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce

Sheri Heiney, President/CEO
Prescott Chamber of Commerce

Mark Stanton, President/CEO
Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce

Sarah Watts, President/CEO
Gilbert Chamber of Commerce



Featured Board Members

Michael Guymon, President/CEO,
Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce

1. Number of years at current Chamber?

5 Years as of July (although the Tucson Metro Chamber was also my first job out of college in 1997 as the Asst. VP of Government Affairs. I worked there for that year before heading off to a number of other great and impactful positions and then came back to the Chamber in 2018.)

2. What is your proudest accomplishment as the leader of your Chamber?

Hard to choose just one but I would have to say getting us to the strongest financial position we have been in 30 years. When you have the right team, deliver on a strong value proposition as the voice of business for your community and provide meaningful engagement opportunities for members, the investment will follow.

3. What do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities facing Chambers today?

The biggest challenge for Chambers today is, especially in a place like Tucson where we have more nonprofits per capita than anywhere in the country, is the dilution of organizations that represent various aspects of business and economic development. You sometimes get lost in the sea of organizational “alphabet soup.” The biggest opportunity for Chambers is setting ourselves apart by being the connector, catalyst and champion for our business community. That is our specific purpose and if we stick to those specific goals and are bold in our advocacy and initiatives, we will have a positive impact on our communities.

4. What do you hope to achieve as a board member for ACE?

I hope to get every Chamber in Arizona to become a member of ACE. We are all membership-based organizations so we should be supportive of the main organization that provides amazing resources and a space where we can all learn and share best practices for our personal and organizational growth.

5. What is the best piece of advice you would offer younger staff in the Chamber world?

Be confident but not cocky. Become a subject matter expert in all that is business and confident in your knowledge but avoid escalating that to a “my way or the highway” level. You will burn more bridges than you build.



Joe Galli, Senior Advisor Public Policy
Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce

1. Number of years at current Chamber:

12 years in two tenures 2005 – 2012 and 2018 to current

2. What is your proudest accomplishment as the leader of your Chamber? 

We pushed back on two bad local ordinances adopted by anti-business city councils in 2005 and 2009.  We referred those ordinances to the next election and won both referrals at the ballot box. 

3.  What do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities facing Chambers today?  

One of the biggest challenges is keeping Chamber members informed and engaged.  Business leaders operate in an ever-expanding regulatory environment requiring more focus and time running their business.  This creates great opportunities for Chambers to communicate Chambers’ frontline efforts on business advocacy which in turn leads to higher member retention.  Chambers embracing business advocacy have a built-in platform for expanding member value, and properly communicating that value keeps Chamber members informed and engaged.

4. What do you hope to achieve as a board member for ACE?  

I have really enjoyed my time on the ACE Board, which has included an invite by the ACE Chair to participate in the three-year strategic plan, and opportunities to serve on the annual conference planning committee.  I am committed to making the annual conference the best for all attending Chamber executives and staff. 

5. What is the best piece of advice you would offer younger staff in the Chamber world? 

Chamber work is not for the faint of heart, and can seem frustrating in the short term.  It’s a challenging effort day-by-day to increase member value and retain and grow member investments.  Stick with it.  Wins may be few and far between, but when they come there’s nothing like the joy of accomplishments that provide deep and lasting community value.  Long term, Chamber work is very rewarding. 



Tedy Burton, Friend Raiser
Buckeye Valley Chamber of Commerce

1. Number of years at current Chamber: 10 years

2. What is your proudest accomplishment as the leader of your Chamber?

My Proudest accomplishment as a leader has been the fact that I have been a major proppant of inclusion and diversity here at the Buckeye Valley Chamber. We are not your grandfather's Chamber.

3. What do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities facing Chambers today?

The biggest challenges facing chambers today are adapting to a rapidly changing business landscape, attracting, and retaining members and staying relevant. They must also address the rising expectations of their members and find ways to keep them engaged. On the other hand, there are many opportunities for chambers to leverage. Collaboration and networking among businesses. Chambers must create platforms and events that will foster connections and knowledge sharing. By embracing these opportunities chambers will maintain their relevance and create a positive impact on their members and community.

4. What do you hope to achieve as a board member for ACE?

Overall, my goal would be to contribute to the growth and success of ACE by fostering collaboration, advocating for members, embracing innovation, and promoting professional development.

5. What is the best piece of advice you would offer younger staff in the Chamber world?

Network for growth. Build yourself a strong network. Seek mentors, be a connector. Continue to learn and evolve and grow.



Sarah Watts, President & CEO

Gilbert Chamber of Commerce 

1. Number of years at current Chamber: 15 years

2. What is your proudest accomplishment as the leader of your Chamber? 

There have been several accomplishments over the years that make me proud. I am so grateful for the genuine relationships shared with my staff and the board of directors. And I’m proud of the meaningful connections shared with our town leaders and community partners, too. In recent years, I am proud of our Chamber’s focus to seek diversity in thought from our Board, staff, and volunteers. I think our programs are stronger and the relationships between members are more valuable because we have a variety of perspectives represented. I am also proud of our implementation and adherence to the EOS process. This process gives us clarity in where we are going, what needs to be done to get there, and who is accountable for each function within the organization. We experienced a 7% growth rate last year and I attribute much of our success to the EOS process.

3. What do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities facing Chambers today? 

Right now, the biggest challenge we face is retaining talent within the industry. Chamber employment is a lifestyle commitment. Our careers are rewarding and fulfilling, but there are seasons when the workload is heavy. With so many businesses hiring, its challenging to keep the best and brightest performers. When it comes to the biggest opportunities, I consider the opportunity to collaborate as the way of the future. Our industry is better off when we communicate with one another and, when it makes sense, unify our voice and efforts. I also I think the biggest opportunity at our fingertips is to demonstrate our ability to build consensus within our business communities. I also believe there is great value in continuing our role as the sane center, to encourage constructive dialogue to solve problems, and to lead by example with innovation of programs and services which bring people together. Ultimately, business professionals are people, and people want to feel seen and heard. They want a place to belong – that is the space that Chambers can provide.

4. What do you hope to achieve as a board member for ACE? 

Iron sharpens iron. I hope to identify ways to further connect Arizona’s Chamber of Commerce practitioners – CEOs and staff members - on a regular basis so that we can learn from and grow with one another. There is value in sharing best practices and resources, especially when those professionals have the same intended outcome and are working in the best interest of our state. I also hope we can find ways to develop the next generation of Chamber professionals. A career in the Chamber industry is unique and can be by-design. I want to find ways to invest in up-and-coming leaders so they recognize the value of the industry and know that they are the future.

5. What is the best piece of advice you would offer younger staff in the Chamber world? 

Give yourself grace and one year. There is nothing quite like working for a Chamber. Every day is different and some days are better than others. Give yourself grace to ask questions, make mistakes, and reach out for help. And, give yourself a full year to wrap your mind around the actual operation of the organization. You are in a unique industry surrounded by professionals who truly care about your success. You get to be creative, serve your community, connect with others, and build a career that is all your own. Lead with your heart and others can’t help but follow.



Kimberly Kahl, Executive Director
Yuma County Chamber of Commerce

1. Number of years at current Chamber

I've been at my current Chamber almost 4 years. This is my first Chamber, but I have over 20 years of experience running membership organizations, and I am a Certified Association Executive.

2. What is your proudest accomplishment as the leader of your Chamber?

My proudest accomplishment is what I was able to maintain and grow during the pandemic. I started at the Chamber in August 2020. Not only was I new to the Chamber, I was new to Yuma. Businesses were struggling, and the Chamber was struggling due to the shutdown. I was able to add programs and services to help local businesses get grants, found ways for businesses to keep their doors open, and introduced new networking and marketing events that were in compliance with the restrictions at the time. Since that time, our membership has grown 25%, our income has grown, and we have attracted a lot of younger business owners and professionals helping to ensure our future.

3.  What do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities facing Chambers today?

I think the biggest challenge facing Chambers today is one that is ongoing - maintaining relevance. I also believe, however, this is our biggest opportunity. The only constant in the world is change. Young professionals starting out in the business community have different wants and needs. Technology is ever-changing. Chambers need to be willing to adapt to these changes. They need to be willing to get rid of programs and events that are no longer working and develop new ones that serve the membership. As long as a Chamber is willing to accept these challenges as opportunities, I believe the Chamber will not only remain relevant, it will grow and expand. 

4. What do you hope to achieve as a board member for ACE?

My goal as a board member for ACE is simple. I want to make things better for Chambers, and therefore businesses, in Arizona. Our mission at the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce is "to help Yuma County businesses prosper and grow." I will consider my tenure as an ACE board member a success if I've done the same in other areas of Arizona as well. 

5. What is the best piece of advice you would offer younger staff in the Chamber world?

Never stop learning. I can't stress that enough. Membership organizations, programs and services, the legal environment, the legislative environment - none of those look the same as they did when I began my career in the 1990s or even than they did five years ago. Fortunately, there are many opportunities for Chamber staff to remain current. Join organizations like ACE, W.A.C.E., and ACCE and get involved. Go to conferences. Watch webinars. Join committees. Find mentors. Not only will they allow you to find new ways to help your Chamber, they will remind you of the importance of self-care, which will also help you and your Chamber.

Sheri L. Heiney, President & CEO
Prescott Chamber of Commerce 

1.    Number of years at current Chamber 

I’ve been with the Prescott Chamber of Commerce for 6 ½ Years and in the Business for 29 Years.

2. What is your proudest accomplishment as the leader of your Chamber? 

 The proudest accomplishment for me is developing the Chamber team to be their very best and to provide them with the tools and inspiration they need to succeed in their goals and dreams.

 3.    What do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities facing Chambers today?

With all the changes in the world from the pandemic and other factors – I believe that Chambers biggest challenges and opportunities include staying relevant in a changing world, and continuing to be the leader in business advocacy and resources.   

4.    What do you hope to achieve as a board member for ACE?

My goal to serve on the board to be a resource to continue to serve to support the brand of Chambers.  

5.   What is the best piece of advice you would offer younger staff in the Chamber world?

I would encourage a younger staff member in the Chamber world to seek mentors in the business and to attend Academy, a three-day (three-year) high quality summer program on chamber management “essentials” geared for today’s chamber executives and professional staff. It has become the leading training program totally devoted to chamber professionals.  

I would also share that being a Chamber professional is a very rewarding career, where you have the opportunity to really give back to your community and make a difference.

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