W.A.C.E. Board Nominates New Leadership

The W.A.C.E. Nominating Committee convened over the past few months and is submitting the following slate of members for service as officers and members of the Board of Directors of the association.  All members listed below have been contacted and have agreed to serve. 

Individuals who have been nominated to serve three year terms include:

• Cassie Aschim, Helena Area Chamber (MT)
• Angie Anderson, ACE, Glenwood Springs Chamber (CO)
• Sheri Heiney, Prescott Chamber (AZ)
• Nancy Hoffman Vanyek, ACE, Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber (CA)
• Ann Hutchison, CAE, Fort Collins Area Chamber (CO)
• Bob Linscheid, Walnut Creek Chamber (CA)
• Jessica Penman, ACE, Truckee Chamber (CA)
• T.J. Sullivan, Parker Chamber (CO)
• Valerie Zizak-Morais, American Canyon Chamber (CA)

Individuals nominated to serve as members of the Executive Committee for 2026-2027 include:

• Chair: John Brewer, Billings Chamber (MT)
• Chair-Elect: Patrick Ellis, ACE, Murrieta-Wildomar Chamber (CA)
• Vice Chair: Josh Cross, Atascadero Chamber (CA)
• Vice Chair: Ann Hutchison, CAE, Fort Collins Chamber (CO)
• Vice Chair: Jim Johnson, Pearland Chamber (TX)
• Past Chair: Kami Welch, ACE, Greater Arvada Chamber (CO)

 
The Nominating Committee believes that the report as outlined above accomplishes its charge, according to the W.A.C.E. bylaws.  The directors (representing one-third of the Board) shall serve for three years through the 2028-2029 program year.  Members of the Executive Committee serve for one program year.   Officers and directors shall be elected by the general members during the Thursday lunch session at the annual conference on February 5, 2026.  
 
WA.C.E.’s bylaws allow for additional nominations to be submitted by any General Member in good standing, with the consent of the nominee and written support of nine (9) other members in good standing on a petition.  Any nominations by petition must be received in the W.A.C.E. office by January 5, 2026.                                     
 
Nominating Committee Members

• John Brewer, Chair
• Jeremy Harris, ACE
• Todd Sanders
• Valerie Zizak-Morais
• Kami Welch, ACE
• Glenn Morris, ACE, President/CEO