Fort Worth Chamber
The Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday announced the appointment of Steve Montgomery as its new CEO.
Montgomery, who brings more than 30 years of public and private sector experience, replaces Brandom Gengelbach, who resigned in February.
Montgomery will begin his duties on July 31.
“We are thrilled to have Steve Montgomery join us as the new CEO of the Fort Worth Chamber,” said Rosa Navejar, chair of the Fort Worth Chamber Board of Directors, in a statement. “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. 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.”
Mike Berry, president of Hillwood, had been interim CEO since Gengelbach’s departure.
Before joining the chamber, Montgomery served as a consultant, providing government relations and strategic communications services to clients across North Texas, including the chamber itself.
The chamber touted his background in executive leadership, strategic planning, stakeholder relations management, and business management.
In a press release, the chamber said Montgomery will work closely with the newly-formed Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership and the city of Fort Worth while prioritizing 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.
“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,” Montgomery said. “Together, we will continue to build a vibrant and prosperous community for all.”
Said 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.”