Chamber Leaders Earn Certified Chamber Executive Designation

Ten chamber of commerce leaders have recently joined an elite roster of professionals who have earned the Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) designation.

The first CCE designation was conferred more than 40 years ago. CCE is recognized as the highest professional designation in the chamber of commerce profession. It’s the only globally recognized certification program exclusive to the chamber of commerce industry. 

The CCE program assesses and tests the applicant's knowledge of core chamber management areas —management, planning and development, membership, communications and revenue and operations. Chamber professionals who are designated CCEs earned this prestigious recognition through hard work, countless hours of dedication to their field and leadership of their chamber to achieve the chamber’s goals.

“We commend this year’s newly designated Certified Chamber Executives for their pursuit of professional excellence,” said Tony Vedda, CCE, IOM, president & CEO of the North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce and CCE Commission chair. “This accomplishment reflects their dedication and expertise, distinguishing them as leaders within our industry.”

Juliet Abdel, CCE, IOM
President & Senior Vice President Government Affairs, Greater Topeka Chamber (Kan.)

Juliet has served in her present role at the Greater Topeka Partnership since 2023. With nearly a dozen years in the chamber industry, she has also served in communities in Colorado and Oklahoma. She was recognized with ACCE's 40 Under 40 award and has led her organizations to achieving statewide and national accolades. Juliet's CCE presentation focused on Entrepreneur for A Day, an annual program with a two-fold purpose: (1.) instilling the value of free enterprise in youth through a guided business-focused curriculum and (2.) humanizing business to the broader community to debunk anti-capitalism rhetoric.

Kara Beer, CCE, IOM
President & CEO, Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce (Mich.)

Kara has led the Battle Creek Area Chamber since 2011. Her extensive board and committee service includes the Business Leads Fellowship, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100, the U.S. Chamber's Accrediting Board of Directors and several state and local appointments. Her CCE presentation emphasized the importance of building relationships between business, military/defense and veteran groups in the community. She highlighted how these efforts foster social cohesion, strengthen community ties and drive economic growth.

Erin Carter, CCE, IOM
President & CEO, Denton Chamber of Commerce (Texas)

Since 2021, Erin has served as president & CEO of the Denton Chamber, Denton Economic Development Partnership & Discover Denton. Erin is the past chair of the Board of Regents for the Winter Institute for Organization Management for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and currently serves on boards of multiple national and local organizations. Erin focused her CCE presentation on the revitalization of the Denton Chamber through strategic initiatives aimed at stabilizing and growing membership, enhancing staffing and funding and ensuring the organization’s mission remains relevant and impactful.

 Michelle Cuevas Stubblefield, CCE
Senior Vice President of Strategy, Greater Topeka Partnership (Kan.)

Michelle has served as the Greater Topeka Partnership's senior vice president of strategy since 2019. She is the former chair of MANA National Latina Organization and serves on various boards throughout the community. In 2018, Michelle was recognized as one of 50 Kansans You Should Know. Michelle focused her CCE presentation on the creation of Executive Immersion Services, a program that supports new executive leadership in the community.

Jennifer R. Dalton, CCE, IOM
Chief Operating Officer, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce (Mo.)

Since 1999, Jennifer has served as chief operating officer of the Springfield Area Chamber. She is the sustainer director for the Junior League of Springfield, a board member for the Greater Springfield Sports Commission and serves on the Community Foundation of the Ozarks' audit committee. A former ACCE board member, Jennifer co-chaired its audit committee. She is a 2003 graduate of Leadership Springfield and a 2009 Springfield Business Journal 40 Under 40 recipient. Jennifer's CCE presentation featured her work leading the reorganization of the chamber’s total resource campaign. This model, implemented in 2023, achieved significant growth, surpassing one million dollars in total revenue.

Josh Driskell, CCE, IOM
Vice President of Government Affairs, Tulsa Regional Chamber (Okla.)
Josh joined the Tulsa Regional Chamber as vice president of government affairs in the spring of 2024. He is past chair of the Board of Regents for U.S. Chamber's Institute for Organization Management winter site, chair-elect for the MAKO Chamber Conference and past chair of Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce Executives (OCCE). He was named a 40 Under 40 by ACCE and received OCCE's New Executive of the Year and Executive of the Year awards. Josh's CCE presentation highlighted the economic development program he created and launched while at the Jenks Chamber of Commerce.

Joseph B. Henning, CCE, IOM
President & CEO, Henry County Chamber of Commerce (Ga.)

Joseph has led the 2022 ACCE Chamber of the Year award-winning Henry County Chamber of Commerce since 2019. He has chaired the National Board of Trustees for the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s Institute for Organization Management and continues to serve as faculty. He was recognized by the Illinois chamber executive association as Outstanding Chamber Executive in 2014 and was recognized by Georgia Trends magazine as one of 500 most influential Georgians. Joseph's CCE presentation focused on his creation of a business resource center that promoted economic inclusivity in the south metro Atlanta region.

Dave Jochum, CCE, IOM
Chief Operating Officer, Longview Chamber of Commerce (Texas)

Dave has served as the Longview Chamber's chief operating officer since 2016. He serves as chairman of the board of governors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Pines. He is a graduate of the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for Organization Management, the Western Association of Chamber Executives Academy and has earned the Accredited Chamber Executive designation from W.A.C.E. Dave focused his CCE presentation on embracing automation for growth.

Kevin M. Walker, CCE, IOM
Executive Vice President & Chief Policy Officer, Overland Park Chamber (Kan.)

Kevin has served in his current role at the Overland Park Chamber since 2018. He's held numerous community leadership positions, including president of the Overland Park Host Lions Club, vice president of the Astronomical Society of Kansas City, and United Methodist Health Ministry Fund board member. Throughout his career, he's been recognized for his leadership and service to community organizations. An Eagle Scout, Kevin is active as an adult leader in the Boy Scouts of America. His CCE presentation focused on implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System to maximize performance management among chamber staff as they execute a new strategic plan benefitting the chamber's members.

Kristin Weiss, CCE, IOM
President & CEO, Central Fort Bend Chamber (Texas)

Kristin has led the 5-star accredited Central Fort Bend Chamber since 2018. She served on Southeast Institute's board in 2006 and 2008. In 2023, Kristin graduated from the Center for Chamber of Commerce Excellence at Texas A&M University. Her CCE presentation focused on the award-winning Career and Technical Education (CTE) Leadership Academy she developed. This initiative connects CTE students from local schools with higher education institutions and industry partners to cultivate Fort Bend County's future workforce.