Chamber Leadership Appoints Peggy Arnold Acting President

Jamie Akin, Chairman of the Board of the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce, today announced that the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors has appointed Peggy Arnold to serve in the role of Acting President for the organization following the sudden death of Phil Neighbors.

Arnold, a 38-year employee of the Chamber, served in the interim capacity once before while the Board went through its months-long search to fill the top position that ultimately resulted in the hiring of Phil Neighbors 10 years ago.  She is a graduate of the Institutes for Organization Management program of the United States Chamber of Commerce and has been one of the lead staffers to achieve the Chamber’s 4-star Accreditation status.

“Peggy’s longevity with the Chamber, her understanding of operational procedures and her experience of serving an interim role in the past made her a natural choice,” said Akin.

The Board of Directors will meet this week to establish a Search Committee to hire a new full-time President to lead the organization.  “We anticipate that this will be a 90- to 120-day process as we reach out across the state and the nation to interview Chamber professionals,” said Akin.  “During the search process, the Executive Committee and Board of Directors will provide full support to our very capable staff so that there will be no lapse in services from our Chamber.” 

The three divisions of the Chamber will continue to be led by Vice President of Chamber Operations Sandra Pomroy, Vice President of the Convention and Visitors Bureau Pamela Miller, and Vice President of Marketing and Recruitment Michael Looney.