FOR RELEASE CONTACT: Nov. 9, 2011 Patricia McCarter 256.535.2018 pmccarter@hsvchamber.

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Chamber names new CEO, Donald C. Chip Cherry Jr.

The Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County announced this morning its new President and CEO, Donald C. Chip Cherry Jr., who has served in the same capacity for the Greater Macon (Georgia) Chamber of Commerce/Macon Economic Development Commission since 2001. The announcement was made in the atrium of the Chamber by Board of Directors Chairman Charlie Kettle. Kettle said Cherry will assume duties in Huntsville on Dec. 15. Local accountant Tommy Beason has served as the interim President and CEO since March, when Brian Hilson ended his 15-year career with the Chamber to head the Birmingham Business Alliance. There were three criteria the search committee kept in mind as we reviewed the numerous resumes of some very talented applicants: The candidate must be technically competent, have a fire in his belly and be a cultural fit, Kettle said. Chip Cherry meets all of those requirements and then some. Cherry has a bachelors degree in business administration from North Carolina Wesleyan College (1982) and an executive MBA from Mercer University (2006). Other resume notables are that he was selected as the 2011 Executive of the Year by the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives and the 1996 North Carolina Chamber Executive of the Year by the Carolinas Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. He is the Past Chair of the Georgia, Virginia and Carolinas Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives and is a current member of the Board of Directors of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. Chips first job with the Chamber of Commerce was when he was an intern while attending North Carolina Wesleyan College, Kettle said in the Wednesday morning press conference. He discovered a passion for the Chambers mission, and he has never wavered from that cause. He and Betty, his wife of 27 years, have a son, Trey, and daughter Julia.

-30Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County

225 Church Street | Huntsville, AL 35801 | 256.535.2000 | fax 256.535.2015 www.HuntsvilleAlabamaUSA.com