Steve Montgomery—an accomplished leader with over 30 years of public and private sector experience—has been appointed the new CEO of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce following a nationwide search. He will assume his new responsibilities on July 31.
The chamber said that Montgomery will lead its mission to drive business growth, support economic development, and advocate for the Fort Worth business community.
“We’re thrilled to have Steve Montgomery join us as the new CEO of the Fort Worth Chamber,” Rosa Navejar, chair of the Fort Worth Chamber board of directors, said 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,” Navejar added.
Montgomery takes on his new role in America’s fastest-growing large city
Montgomery comes to the chamber during a time of growth for the city. With a 4.1% increase in population since 2020, Fort Worth is the fastest-growing large city in America. And it ranks 13th in population overall.
The new CEO has a three-decade background in executive leadership, strategic planning, stakeholder relations management, and business management. Before joining the Fort Worth Chamber, he was 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 in a statement. “I’m 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.”
Will work closely with Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership
As CEO, Montgomery will work closely with the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership and the city of Fort Worth to prioritize key focus areas, the chamber said, 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.
Montgomery will also drive membership development efforts, working to expand and strengthen the chamber’s membership base.
Taking the reins from interim CEO Mike Berry
Mike Berry, president of Hillwood, has been interim CEO of the FWC since the departure of former president Brandom Gengelbach.
“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;re positioned to make an even larger impact on the Fort Worth business community,” Berry said.
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