WACE - Western Association of Chamber Executives
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  • About W.A.C.E.
    • Board of Directors >
      • Chairman's Message
      • Past Board Chairs
    • Emerging Leaders Council
    • W.A.C.E. Foundation
    • Links to Other Organizations
    • Contact
    • Ad Wizard Terms of Use
  • Conferences/Programs
    • Annual Conference >
      • Annual Conference Handouts
    • Academy >
      • Academy Testimonials
      • Academy Graduates
    • Webinars
    • Workshops
    • Calendar
  • Membership Info
    • Join
    • Scholarships
    • W.A.C.E. Survey Central
    • The Chamber Is... Ad Wizard
  • Awards/Recognition
    • Award Entry Forms
    • Accredited Chamber Executive
    • Communications Awards
    • Outstanding Chamber Award Program
    • Executive of the Year Award
    • Hammer Award
    • Hathaway Award
    • Pettit Award
    • Steve Rose Memorial Scholarship Award
    • Service Awards
  • Member Login

Board of Directors


Lorraine Clarno Headshot
Lorraine Clarno, ACE   Discover Kalispell (MT) Chamber  www.kalispellchamber.com
Chair of the Board
• Lead the effort to expand and build out the CEO Peer Group program that was initiated in 
2022

Whitney Diver McEvoy Yountville (CA) Chamber www.yountville.com
Chair Elect
• Coordinate the Academy-Plus program to be held in conjunction with Academy in August in Sacramento, CA
Lorraine Clarno Headshot

John Brewer Headshot
John Brewer   Billings (MT) Chamber  www.billingschamber.com
Vice Chair
• Coordinate efforts to grow the W.A.C.E. membership with consistent on-going outreach to prospective members


Colin Diaz Headshot
Patrick Ellis, ACE  Murrieta/Wildomar (CA) Chamber www.murrietachamber.org
Vice Chair
• Chair the program committee for the association's 100th anniversary conference to be held in Orange County, CA on February 7-9, 2024


Whitney Diver McEvoy Photo
Tallia Hart Healdsburg (CA) Chamber www.healdsburg.com
Vice Chair
• ​Coordinate the association's fall webinar series


Kami Welch Photo
Mike Neal, CCE, CCD Tulsa (OK) Regional Chamber www.tulsachamber.com
Vice Chair
• Coordinate the Executive Workshop on "Advocacy & Workforce Development Best Practices" to be held in Denver, CO on May 11 (in conjunction with the May Board meeting)


Chris Romer Photo
Jeremy Harris, ACE, IOM   Long Beach Area (CA) Chamber  www.lbchamber.com
Immediate Past Chair
​
• Work with Board Chair Lorraine Clarno to build out the CEO Peer Group program


Directors

1 -Year Term
Scott Ashton   Oceanside (CA) Chamber www.oceansidechamber.com
John Brewer   Billings (MT) Chamber www.billingschamber.com
Bridget Dixson  Santa Fe (NM) Chamber  www.santafechamber.com
Patrick Ellis, ACE  Murrieta/Wildomar (CA) Chamber  www.murrietachamber.org
Tallia Hart  Healdsburg (CA) Chamber & Visitors Bureau   www.healdsburg.com
Paul Holden  Burnaby (BC) Board of Trade  www.bbot.ca
Eli Matthews, IOM  The Chamber of Medford & Jackson County (OR)  www.medfordchamber.org
Mike Neal, CCE, CCD, HLM  Tulsa (OK) Regional Chamber  www.tulsachamber.com
Guy Occhiogrosso  Bellingham (WA) Regional Chamber  www.bellinghamchamber.com

2 -Year Term
Lorraine Clarno, ACE   Discover Kalispell (MT) Chamber   www.kalispellchamber.com
Colin Diaz, ACE, IOM   Tempe (AZ) Chamber www.tempechamber.org
Wendy Laros   Kona-Kohala (HI) Chamber  www.kona-kohala.com
Lori Mattson, IOM  Tri-City (WA)  Regional Chamber www.tricityregionalchamber.com
Glenn Morris, ACE   Santa Maria Valley (CA) Chamber  www.santamaria.com
Sherry Taylor   Mason Deerfield (OH) Chamber www.madechamber.org
Zeb Welborn, ACE  Chino Valley (CA) Chamber  www.chinovalleychamber.com
Jessica Welch, ACE, IOM Greater Irvine (CA) Chamber www.irvinechamber.com
Kami Welch, ACE   Arvada (CO) Chamber www.arvadachamber.org

3 -Year Term
Whitney Diver McEvoy  Yountville (CA) Chamber www.yountville.com
Sheri Heiney  Prescott (AZ) Chamber  www.prescott.org
Nancy Hoffman Vanyek, ACE   Greater San Fernando Valley (CA) Chamber www.sanfernandovalleychamber.com
Ann Hutchison, CAE  Fort Collins Area (CO) Chamber  www.fcchamber.org
Jake Mangas  Redding (CA) Chamber  www.reddingchamber.com
Brittany Quick-Warner, ACE  Eugene Area (OR) Chamber  www.eugenechamber.com
Maria Salinas   Los Angeles Area (CA) Chamber www.lachamber.com
Mary Beth Sewald  Vegas (NV) Chamber  www.lvchamber.com
Donnette Silva Carter, IOM  Tulare (CA) Chamber  www.tularechamber.org

Staff

Dave Kilby Photo
Nick Ortiz   CalChamber www.calchamber.com
President/CEO
nick.ortiz@calchamber.com
(916) 930-1202


Jennifer Johnson Photo
Jennifer Johnson, IOM   CalChamber www.calchamber.com
Vice President
jennifer.johnson@calchamber.com
(916) 930-1241


Dave Kilby Photo
Dave Kilby   W.A.C.E.
President Emeritus
(916) 601-2920


Program & Services (unless otherwise indicated items below will be largely staff driven)
  • Continue to expand & update the Resource Library
  • Engage and solicit input from the Emerging Leaders Council
  • Continue bi-monthly “Chamber Leadership Podcasts”
  • Partner with state exec associations and regional chamber groups to provide programming including volunteer leaders training
  • Monthly issues of the Insider newsletter   
  • Continue regular electronic polling of members on chamber issues and trends
  • Chamber Survey Central – conduct “Chamber Performance” e-surveys for W.A.C.E. members of their chamber business members
  • Conduct CEO salary & benefits survey
  • Extensive awards and recognition programs
  • Produce “Career Opportunity Bulletins” as needed announcing job openings
  • Assist chambers and executives with other programs & resources including executive search
Photo of cover of program priorities brochure featuring members in the shape of W.A.C.E. logo
Copyright © 2023 Western Association of Chamber Executives. All Rights Reserved.
P.O. Box 1736 |  Sacramento, CA 95812
Phone: (916) 442-2223| sitemap | Privacy Policy
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