The NGLCC has hired Sam McClure, executive director of Twin Cities Quorum, to lead the NGLCC's Affiliate Relations Department.
McClure is a longtime leader in the LGBT chamber movement and served as the chair of the NGLCC's Council of Chambers and Business Organizations (CCBO), a leadership and advisory group composed of representatives from NGLCC state and local LGBT affiliate chambers, until assuming her new post yesterday.
"We have strong relationships with many of our affiliate chambers, but we want strong relationships with all our affiliate chambers, and adding Sam to the NGLCC team will help us do just that," said Justin Nelson, co-founder and president at the NGLCC. "Sam is a natural leader and knows how to run a local chamber, how to grow a chamber, how to advocate for members and how to engage people to make a difference."
"Sam is dedicated to helping LGBT chambers of commerce grow and flourish," said Chance Mitchell, NGLCC co-founder and CEO. "Having someone leading affiliate relations who has been in the trenches and knows firsthand how to run a chamber will be invaluable as we strengthen our relationships with our existing affiliates and add new ones."
"I'm excited to work even more closely with chamber leaders to continue to strengthen the network of organizations around the country," McClure said. "I am passionate about nurturing the growth of affiliates and to be a liaison between affiliates and the NGLCC to foster a stronger spirit of partnership and make sure that each affiliate understands exactly how to leverage their partnership with the NGLCC to deliver valuable opportunities back to their local members."
McClure will maintain her position with Quorum and work with the NGLCC team remotely from Minneapolis, with regular trips to Washington, D.C. and to visit affiliates around the country.
"We are reaffirming our commitment to affiliate chambers and want to be sure they are using every resource available to them through their connection to NGLCC," Nelson said. "I look forward to Sam's leadership and counsel. Her background as a chamber leader gives her the unique understanding that will make her successful in this role."
Tony Vedda, president and CEO of the North Texas GLBT Chamber of Commerce and chair of the CCBO Mountain and Southwest Region, has assumed the role of National Chair of the CCBO.
"We have what is undoubtedly a winning lineup with the leadership team on the CCBO and affiliate relations," Mitchell said.
