Texas Border Business
Image by Roberto Hugo Gonzalez
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors announces the resignation of Steve Ahlenius, President and CEO, after nearly twenty-four years of service. The McAllen Chamber of Commerce Board will immediately commence a search, with the assistance of an executive search firm, to identify a successor for Mr. Ahlenius.
“The Board respects Mr. Ahlenius’ decision, we recognize that there is an experienced and knowledgeable staff in place. I am confident that the staff will continue to operate the existing programs while the Board undertakes the process of selecting a replacement,” said Annette Franz, Chairman of the Board.
“I have loved leading the McAllen Chamber of Commerce for almost 24 years,” said Ahlenius. “It has been an honor and a privilege. I have been blessed with numerous opportunities to create value for our Chamber members and our community. We have been fortunate to build a new chamber building; to launch a Creative Incubator in 2005, the first Incubator to be launched in the Valley; and, to renovate an old church building in the Center City, which is now an event center. We launched the first food truck park in the Valley. We have developed an ecosystem to help launch new startups and innovation. In fact, we have helped launch over 200 new startup businesses. We are one of two Chambers in the U.S. that has a four-color digital press. We have launched numerous exciting programs, such as MXLAN, the Santa Fe Wine Classic, and the Sizzling in the Tropics BBQ Cook-off.”
Ahlenius added, “McAllen is a great city and we have a great Chamber of Commerce. We are one of the very few Chambers in the country to have received the 5-Star Accreditation by the US Chamber of Commerce, twice. The staff is extremely professional and they are the ones who make everything happen for our organization. It has been a wonderful experience, living and working in McAllen. I love McAllen, but it is time for a change.”
About the McAllen Chamber of Commerce:
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce, with a membership of 1,300 and a staff of 18 was founded in 1925, and its forerunner, the McAllen Businessmen’s Club, founded and drove the creation of the City of McAllen in 1911. The McAllen Chamber is the largest chamber in a 15-county area and is broadly seen as the most innovative, cutting edge, and progressive chamber in the region. The staff of the McAllen Chamber has been integral in creating and developing cooperative efforts in the region.
The mission of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce is to help McAllen businesses be successful and make money, accelerate connections, create economic momentum, and enhance the image and quality of place of McAllen. The Chamber will also lead, partner, or applaud efforts to improve McAllen.
