Notable quote
“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. “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.”
What you need to know
According to the news release, 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.
As part of his 30 years of experience, Montgomery served as a consultant, providing government relations and strategic communications services to clients across North Texas, including the chamber itself.
“The Fort Worth Chamber is dedicated to being the leading voice of business in our city,” Montgomery said. “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.”
The specifics
According to the news release, Montgomery has prioritized the following four areas:
- Workforce development: Montgomery will spearhead efforts to evaluate the workforce needs of the Fort Worth business community, ensuring 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.
Mike Berry, who has been interim CEO of the chamber since the departure of former President Brandom Gengelbach, said his time at the chamber has only reinforced his belief that it is an amazing organization.
“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,” Berry said.
