|
- Home
- Membership
- Board of Directors
Board of directors
Chair Michael Guymon, President/CEO Immediate Past Chair Raoul Sada, President/CEO Board Members Tedy Burton, Friend Raiser Jeffrey Campos, President/CEOSouthwest Valley Chamber of Commerce Rhonda Carlson, President/CEO Peoria Chamber of Commerce Joe Galli, Senior Advisor Public Policy Sheri Heiney, President/CEO Bo Hellams, President/CEO Mark Stanton, President/CEOScottsdale Chamber of Commerce Sarah Watts, President/CEO | Featured Board MembersMichael Guymon, President/CEO,
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
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.
Sheri L. Heiney, President & CEO %20(2).jpg)
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.
Jeffrey Campos, President/CEO
2. What is your proudest accomplishment as the leader of your Chamber? 3. What do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities facing Chambers today? 4. What do you hope to achieve as a board member for ACE? 5. What is the best piece of advice you would offer younger staff in the Chamber world?
Rhonda Carlson, President/CEO
1. Number of years at current Chamber: 2 2. What is your proudest accomplishment as the leader of your Chamber? In 2023, I began to work with businesses in Peoria that received retroactive tax collection letters under the TPT – Amusements, Exhibitions, and Similar Activities tax. These are businesses that own and operate dance, martial arts, and gymnastics studios – business types that we believe do not fit the tax code definition. They had not received any prior communication about the tax or any enforcement of the tax on their business in the 20+ years this tax has been in place. Through our advocacy efforts, which included media engagement, research of other similar cases, and public comments at numerous city council meetings, the City of Peoria agreed to remove any retroactive tax collection for these business types, saving an approximate $1M collectively for our small business community. We believe the ambiguity of this tax will remain an issue for the 35 cities in Arizona that have it in place, and we are working on a more permanent change. This was incredibly rewarding to be an advocate for our small businesses, keeping many from closing their doors. 3. What do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities facing Chambers today? I find a big challenge is general knowledge to the community of what a chamber of commerce actually does. While a chamber is first and foremost in existence to support its local business community, a chamber does much more to support the community as a whole and can serve as a valuable resource for the many transplants that move to our state. I think that challenge can transform into a tremendous opportunity to develop additional resources and programming that our chambers can utilize to best showcase how we support our local communities. While we are all a bit different, we are all working towards the same goals. Another challenge is getting people out again! As we learned at last year’s ACE conference, many of us host events and often see the same guests in attendance or perhaps don’t quite reach the numbers we hope. Members are busy of course running their businesses, but we always preach the tremendous benefits gains from taking just a small amount out of your day for networking. 4. What do you hope to achieve as a board member for ACE? I would like to contribute to the execution of more collaborative opportunities throughout the year for members to connect on non-political issues. I find our Chamber is rare in that we do not endorse political candidates, and for many of my members, dealing in that realm is not desirable. While it is of course imperative for all Chambers to have a grasp on the issues and use their status to ensure businesses are supported, there are many issues impacting our state that we should focus on and disseminate information about to keep our members well informed. An example of this is the Corporate Transparency Act and its massive impact on small business. There is no information being distributed to these businesses from the federal government, yet severe penalties are in place for failure to report their beneficial ownership information. I am worried about businesses that do not have this on their radar, so we continue to undertake efforts to get this information to the masses. 5. What is the best piece of advice you would offer younger staff in the Chamber world? While I have only been in the Chamber world for 2 years, I have worked in the nonprofit sector for the past 16 years. I suppose one motto I have lived by over that time – which is of course relevant to any type of work – is to not be afraid to ask questions. I often see a hesitancy to raise up your hand and ask what likely others are thinking about asking in the room. Without being inquisitive, you can’t really affect the right kind of change you may want to see in your chamber or in your community. I always encourage my staff to come to me with any ideas they may have to take our chamber to the next level, so don’t be afraid to share your thoughts! You could be hiding a great idea that could create a significant impact on your chamber, members, and community.
Bo Hellams, President & CEO 1. Number of years at current Chamber: Just over three years with the Bullhead Area Chamber 2. What is your proudest accomplishment as the leader of your Chamber? Fiscal responsibility and diversifying our revenue streams are my proudest accomplishments with the Chamber. This had led to double our annual intake and stabilized our highs and lows as a Chamber. 3. What do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities facing Chambers today? Continuing to show the newest business generation the importance of joining their local chamber. 4. What do you hope to achieve as a board member for ACE? I hope to represent the rural community of Bullhead City and the western side of Arizona as an active member of the Board and ACE at large. 5. What is the best piece of advice you would offer younger staff in the Chamber world? Being young myself, I am not sure I am qualified to give this advice lol. I would say, you are dammed if you do and dammed if you don’t. In a world where someone can find something to complain about nearly anything, make sure they are complaining about you simply doing too much. Stay active with your membership, create high-yielding events that benefit staff and the community served, and do not focus on any community gossip. |
%20Tedy%20Headshot.jpg)
%20(2).jpg)
1. Number of years at current Chamber: 3 years 
ABOUT ARIZONA CHAMBER EXECUTIVES
Arizona Chamber Executives (ACE) is a nonprofit organization assisting chamber executives throughout Arizona to become informed, effective leaders in their communities.
|
|
Copyright © 2023 Arizona Chamber Executives.