Lewisville chamber president resigns

On Monday, Matt McCormick, the president of the Lewisville Area Chamber of Commerce (LACC) announced his resignation, after nearly six years in that position.

"The past years have been a time for me personally and professionally to grow in a community which opened its doors and arms to me and my family. The Lewisville chamber is a group of dynamic individuals, all of whom have greatly contributed to the success the organization has achieved. When I came to Lewisville the chamber was not in the same place it is today, and I am confident in the leadership of the board of directors and staff to continue building and developing an organization that serves to promote economic growth. My departure is bittersweet, and I am honored to have worked in this community and blessed to have called Lewisville home."

McCormick's resignation will be effective late January 2013. He accepted the position of president for the Columbia Chamber of Commerce in Columbia, Missouri.

"I'm excited about going to a new community and seeing what that has to offer. We don't know anyone in Missouri and don't have family there, but it will be fun. My son is thrilled to move somewhere with more snow," McCormick said. "I'm not sure what the future holds, but we hope it will be a town where we can raise our children."

McCormick, a native of Texas, said his biggest move came after he and his wife moved from their college town of Nacogdoches to Cedar Hill.

"This will be our biggest move, but we're ready for it," McCormick said. "I had never been to Columbia prior to the interview process, but now I've visited a few times. We've started looking at homes, and we're scheduling a couple trips to continue looking."

McCormick said the Missouri chamber is a "very good, solid chamber." He knows the retiring president and said the position will be the same as the Lewisville one, just a different location.

For the past 15 years, McCormick has been involved in the chamber industry. He said Lewisville was a great growing opportunity; it taught him a lot and expanded his knowledge.

"I knew Matt was a rising star from the moment I met him while he was attending classes I instructed at the Institute of Organizational Management. Matt came to Lewisville, did an outstanding job turning the chamber around, and has recruited a staff that is able to excel in his absence," said Chuck Ewart, of the Ewart Group. "The strategic plan has established a road map for the chamber to follow to ensure their continued success in the years to follow. Lewisville will miss Matt, but I personally know that Matt and his family will miss Lewisville as well."

When looking back on his time with the chamber, McCormick said one of the things he's most proud of is the chamber itself.

"When I came here six years ago, the chamber had a lot of issues to deal with. However, we really have a great board of directors, volunteers and staff members who have rebuilt the chamber into what it is today," McCormick said. "I'm also proud of the legislative work we've been able to do. During the last legislative session we worked on the Interstate 35E project, and watching that move forward has been very enjoyable and something to look back on."

McCormick said he is also proud of the growth of membership within the chamber, and the chamber's staff members. Even after he has moved on, McCormick said he hopes the chamber will continue to grow, especially as it tries to become accredited again.

"We used to be an accredited chamber for many years. In 2013, we're slated to get it back, and I hope it continues even without my leadership," McCormick said.

Until February, McCormick said it will be business as usual. He will continue the duties of president and will be involved with the chamber's annual awards banquet. He said he didn't want to leave anyone in a bind and wants to help organize the chamber's biggest event of the year.

"I'll also help the board with any prep work before I go, but the board will put together a search committee to begin looking for its next president. The most important thing is to take time to find the right person, and we have a great, competent staff that can run things while the board looks for the next president."

McCormick said he didn't think the board would have problems finding the right person.

"It has been a pleasure to work with Matt over these past six years. A friendship was born between us during his time here, and I look forward to watching Matt's continued success," said Jeff Potter, chairman of the LACC board. "The Columbia Chamber should consider themselves extremely fortunate to have Matt on their team."

Even though he is excited about the change, McCormick said there are many aspects of his time in Lewisville he will miss.

"I'll miss the people, staff members and board members. In this industry you become a part of the community. It makes this job so special, but it also makes it very hard to move on," McCormick said. "You have to leave some of that behind. I'd like to say thank you to the volunteers and members of the community for allowing my wife and I to create a home here."

For information, visit www.lewisvillechamber.org.

Current Rating: 3 of 1 votes!

Rate File: Select Rating: * ** *** ****

 Plano Apartments
 Plano Attorneys
 Plano Auto Dealers
 Plano Auto Parts
 Plano Auto Repair
 Plano Beauty Salons
 Plano Car Rental
 Plano Dentists
 Plano Doctors
 Plano Flowers
 Plano Hotels
 Plano Insurance
 Plano Loans
 Plano Mortgages
 Plano Movers
 Plano Pizza
 Plano Realtors
 Plano Restaurants
 Plano Storage
 Plano Tax Preparation
 Plano Travel
 Featured
 More...