The Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce this week announced Michelle Green-Ford as the organization’s new president and CEO.
Green-Ford will replace the late Devoyd “Dee” Jennings, who died in July.
“She has executive leadership and business ownership experience that prepares her to produce superior results for the Black Chamber,” says Reginal Gates, board chair, in a statement.
Gates adds that Green-Ford’s appointment is historic in that she will be the first female president in the Chamber’s more than 40-year history.
Green-Ford, who holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in business administration, recently served as vice president and chief diversity officer for JPS Health Network.
“As a result of Michelle’s leadership, her department at JPS increased spending with small, minority, veteran and women-owned businesses,” Gates says. “She improved access to vendor registration and provided vendor education seminars.”
Sultan Cole had been serving as president on an interim basis since the fall. Cole stepped away as chairman of the board to assume those responsibilities.
Green-Ford, who owned a training and consulting company for 18 years, has served on the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce board of directors and the US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Southwest Corporate Advisory Board. Her business experience includes working with clients such as DFW Airport, American Airlines, city of Fort Worth and Shepherd Airforce Base.
“I feel honored to serve in the capacity of assisting business owners to achieve their goals,” Green-Ford said. “My overall focus is to partner with others to create a community where everyone can thrive.”