FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce (FWC) is delighted to announce the appointment of Steve Montgomery as its new Chief Executive Officer. Following an extensive nationwide search and rigorous selection process, Montgomery has been chosen to lead the Chamber in its mission to drive business growth, support economic development, and advocate for the Fort Worth business community.
Montgomery brings over 30 years of public and private sector experience to his new role. His background in executive leadership, strategic planning, stakeholder relations management, and business management positions him well to guide the Chamber towards greater success. Prior to joining the Fort Worth Chamber, Montgomery served as a consultant, providing government relations and strategic communications services to clients across North Texas, including the Chamber itself.
“We are thrilled to have Steve Montgomery join us as the new CEO of the Fort Worth Chamber,” stated Rosa Navejar, Chair of the Fort Worth Chamber Board of Directors. “Steve's extensive experience and deep roots in the community make him an ideal candidate to lead our organization. We believe his strategic vision and commitment to fostering business growth will greatly benefit the Fort Worth business community,” Navejar added. “Our search committee, led by Lonnie Nicholson, past chair of the Chamber, did an incredible job of identifying a strong slate of candidates and we couldn’t be more pleased with the results.”
As the Chamber's new CEO, Montgomery will work closely with the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership (FWEDP) and the City of Fort Worth to prioritize key focus areas, including:
- Workforce Development: Montgomery will spearhead efforts to evaluate the workforce needs of the Fort Worth business community, ensuring that the necessary training and resources are provided to develop a skilled workforce for the future.
- Infrastructure and Transportation: Recognizing the significance of robust infrastructure and efficient transportation networks for business growth, Montgomery will collaborate with stakeholders, such as the City, the Real Estate Council, and Trinity Metro, to advocate for investments and improvements in these areas.
- Business Retention: Supporting existing businesses in Fort Worth will be a core focus, with Montgomery leading initiatives to provide resources, assistance, and programs that help businesses thrive and remain in the community.
- Government Relations Advocacy: Montgomery will engage with elected and appointed officials to advocate for policies and regulations that foster a business-friendly environment, ensuring that the voice of the Fort Worth business community is heard and represented.
Additionally, Montgomery will drive membership development efforts, working to expand and strengthen the Chamber's membership base. By offering networking opportunities, access to research and resources, and advocacy on behalf of its members, the Chamber aims to enhance its value for businesses of all sizes in Fort Worth.
“The Fort Worth Chamber is dedicated to being the leading voice of business in our city,” said Steve Montgomery. “I am honored to join this incredible organization and work alongside our partners to prioritize workforce development, infrastructure and transportation, business retention, government relations advocacy, and membership development. Together, we will continue to build a vibrant and prosperous community for all.”
Mike Berry, President of Hillwood, has been interim CEO of the FWC since the departure of former president Brandom Gengelbach. According to Berry, “My time at the Chamber has only reinforced my belief that it is an amazing organization and now, with Steve at the helm to lead the team, we are positioned to make an even larger impact on the Fort Worth business community.”
Montgomery will officially take over responsibilities as CEO on July 31, 2023.
Navejar added, “We look forward to Steve’s leadership and the positive impact it will bring to Fort Worth.”
For more information about the Fort Worth Chamber, please visit fortworthchamber.com.
ABOUT THE FORT WORTH CHAMBER
The Fort Worth Chamber, with 1,300 member businesses, is one of the largest chambers in the North Texas region. Through its core functions of talent development, small business and entrepreneur support, and government advocacy, the Chamber’s mission is to bring the Fort Worth region together to identify issues, solve problems and help align resources resulting in a stronger business climate and greater economic prosperity for all. Contact the Fort Worth Chamber at 817-336-2491 or visit http://www.fortworthchamber.com/.
