HOUSTON, TX (September 8, 2020) - In recognition of the progress made in advancing the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce’s strategic goals and the need to dedicate resources to achieve the longer-term vision for the organization, the Board of Directors has established the position of President and Chief Executive Officer to lead, manage, and execute day-to-day operations of the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

Coincident with this announcement, the Board has appointed Tammi Wallace to the position of President & CEO of the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce. 

As one of the Chamber co-founders, Wallace has been a catalyst to help the organization grow exponentially since its launch in 2016. In 2018, Wallace was named the Board Chair, assuming the role from co-founder, Gary Wood. This appointment recognizes Tammi’s many years of volunteer work with the Chamber behind the scenes at the local, state, and national levels, where she has been dedicated to bringing visibility to the LGBTQ+ Business Community.

Under the visionary leadership Wallace has brought to the Chamber, the organization has enjoyed year-over-year growth in membership, corporate partners, and LGBTBE® certified businesses Wallace has also led the organization’s efforts in expanding its reach by fostering valuable collaborations including as a founding member of the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce.

With Wallace’s appointment, the Board has also named Jonathan Marrs to the position of Board Chair and Jason Rocha to the position of Vice Chair. Shenice Brown has been named as Treasurer and Tiffany Tosh has taken on the role of Secretary.

"The Board believed this decision was long overdue," said Jonathan Marrs, Chamber Board Chair. "Not only overdue to recognize Tammi's countless volunteer hours but a key decision to help take the Chamber to the next level in terms of sustainability and to support our members and ultimately to continue our important work of building a thriving LGBTQ & Allied Business Community."

"I believe that the Chamber does and will play an even more pivotal role in advancing inclusive economic growth for the LGBTQ community," said Tammi Wallace, Co-Founder and President & CEO. While we can achieve legal wins in the courts and even change hearts and minds, until we have full economic empowerment for the LGBTQ+ community, we cannot fully participate in terms of economic opportunity and this must change. Our work is crucial to support a thriving LGBTQ+ Business Community."

The board of Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce is committed to growing the organization and ensuring members have the tools and resources needed to grow their businesses and will continue to help amplify the voices of small businesses and underrepresented LGBTQ+ business owners.

"With Tammi's leadership and a dedicated board, we have a strong vision for what can be in terms of how the Chamber plays a major role around economic inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community," said Jason Rocha, Vice Chair. "Her passion for LGBTQ economic inclusion is what has driven her to dedicate so much to the Chamber since we launched."

Please join the Board of Directors in thanking Tammi, Jonathan, Jason, Shenice and Tiffany for their commitment to the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce and wishing them well in their roles.

About the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce

Established in February 2016, the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce’s mission is to accelerate economic opportunity for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer + (LGBTQ+) business community through a strong network of business allies, innovative programs, strategic partnerships and advance policies that foster economic inclusion and equality.

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