NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release -  July 21, 2016                                       

NACOGDOCHES, TX – The Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce board of directors announced C. Wayne Mitchell, IOM, as the organization's President/CEO. Mitchell is pictured on left.

"The Chamber CEO Search committee reviewed over 40 applications to fill the position," Chairman Rusty Rust said. "I am pleased we were able to attract Wayne for the position. He brings a vast knowledge of the operations of Chambers of Commerce and leadership skills that I believe will be a great addition to our Chamber and to Nacogdoches County."

Mitchell comes from Augusta, Maine, where he served as President and CEO of ProdComm, a company he founded in 1991. ProdComm provided management and consulting services to Chambers and associations nation-wide. He is a motivational speaker, has facilitated hundreds of strategic planning sessions and authored more than 50 educational programs for the United States Chamber of Commerce Institute Program including "The Chamber Professional."

"I had the honor of serving as President and CEO of the Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce in Augusta from 1984 through '89," Mitchell said. "During my time there we were successful in doubling the Chamber membership, adding many new programs including the Kennebec Leadership Program, and many new services to benefit the membership."

Mitchell is a graduate of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Organizational Management, and he served on the institute faculty for 22 years. "During that time I had the opportunity to provide education programs to thousands of Chamber CEOs and staff across the country," he said. "I have conducted hundreds of strategic planning sessions for Chambers and associations, and I have a sense of awareness of the challenges that these organizations face today."

Mitchell and wife Bonnie will relocate to Nacogdoches as soon as possible, and he expects to begin working full-time with the Nacogdoches County Chamber by Aug. 15.

Bill Teague, the Chamber’s Interim President/CEO since Oct. 1, 2015 said, “The Search Committee has been diligent, and I look forward to helping a smooth transition for the Chamber. Wayne’s a highly qualified Chamber Executive, and we’re glad to have him and his wife here.”

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