This morning, the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted to approve a change in the organization’s governance structure. Under the new structure, the Chamber will have a 15-member Executive Board of Directors, who will take on a fiduciary and policy role, and a larger Board of Investors, who will provide advice and contribute to the organization’s culture, strategic focus, effectiveness, and financial sustainability.
Following a survey of the Chamber membership in the fourth quarter of 2021, the Chamber identified the need to become more nimble, efficient, and focused on responding to the various issues the business community faces. The change in governance structure is a result of a recommendation from the Governance Task Force that was created to conduct research, study best practices, and determine if there were modifications the Chamber should make in board structure to address feedback from members.
“The goal of the Chamber’s new governance structure is to amplify the voice of the Chamber as the voice of business in our community,” said Phil Green, 2022 Chair of the Chamber and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. and Frost Bank. “I believe that business is a force for good, and it deserves the strongest voice and support possible. A smaller Executive Board will enable the Chamber to be more flexible, focused, and responsive to the diverse needs of the business community.”
Diversity and inclusion will be foundational and paramount in the makeup of the Chamber’s Boards. Under the new structure, the Executive Board will consist of 15 members, including the Chamber President and CEO, six members from companies with an investment level of $25,000 and more, four members from companies with an investment level of $10,000 and more, and four members from the general membership through a nomination process conducted by a newly created Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee.
The Board of Investors will consist of members from companies whose investment level is $10,000 and more and 27 members who are selected from the general membership through a nomination process, also conducted by the Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee.
“The Chamber’s Board of Investors is a strong and diverse group of leaders across all industries throughout the city. We look forward to increased engagement, dialogue, and feedback from them to help us shape our direction and proactively address issues they are seeing or encountering,” said Katie Harvey, the Chamber’s Chair-elect and Chief Executive Officer of KGBTexas Communications.
“The new governance structure will create a stronger Chamber for all members. The Chamber team and I are excited about the future of the organization and the ability to be more flexible, agile, and proactive in addressing the challenges and needs of our members and the business community,” said Richard Perez, President and CEO of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce.
For more information, please read our Frequently Asked Questions about our new Governance Structure.