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Tonya L. Matthews, ACE, IOM Receives Certified Chamber Executive Certification
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Matthews received her CCE designation from
ACCE Board of Directors Chairman Casey A.
Steinbacher, CCE (left) and ACCE President
Mick Fleming.
Photo: © Rich Schmitt Photography/
American Chamber of Commerce Executives |
Jessica M.L. Thompson, Marketing & Communications Director
270-781-3200: jessica@bgchamber.com
BOWLING GREEN, KY- The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Vice President of Chamber Operations Tonya L. Matthews, ACE, IOM has been designated a Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE).
"We're extremely proud of Tonya's achievement and of her continued contributions to our Chamber's excellence," said Chamber Board of Directors Chairman Rodney Rogers. "This is one more example of her dedication to the Chamber world, as she is now one of only nine chamber of commerce executives in Kentucky who have earned the CCE designation."
The CCE is the only national certification for chamber professionals. Receiving this designation requires the completion of a four-stage process, including an 11-part application, an essay submission, an oral presentation and interview, and a four-hour exam. Since the program was initiated more than 40 years ago, only about 500 individuals have earned this highest designation in the industry.
"The CCE program is designed to assess and test the applicant's knowledge of the core chamber management areas: management, planning and development, membership and communication, and operations," says John MacMartin, CCE, president and CEO of Minot Area (ND) Chamber and CCE commission chairman. "The applicants who are designated CCEs rightfully earn this outstanding recognition through hard work, countless hours of dedication to their field, and leadership of their chambers to achieve their missions. We are proud to have this year's class join a long tradition of professional excellence."
Matthews was one of 13 chamber executives in the nation who earned the CCE designation which was awarded during the ACCE Annual Convention, held in Los Angeles on August 3 through 6.
Matthews is a 1994 graduate of Western Kentucky University with a degree in corporate and organizational communication and minor in marketing. Having joined the Chamber in 1997, she has served as membership services director and director of community development, and she was promoted to vice president of chamber operations in 2004. Her current responsibilities include managing the day-to-day functions of the Chamber, overseeing a portion of Chamber personnel and the implementation of the Chamber's strategic plan and various other programs, working closely with the Chamber's Board of Directors.
In 2007, Matthews completed a four-year certification process to receive her Institute for Organization Management (IOM) certificate from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The following year, she received her Accredited Chamber Executive professional certification from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives (KCCE). In the fall 2009 issue of ACCE Chamber Executive, she was recognized as one of the "40 Under 40 Rising Stars of the Chamber World."
Matthews was an integral contributor to the Chamber's receipt of the ACCE's national Chamber of the Year Award in 2009. During her tenure, Matthews has led the Chamber through two re-accreditation processes with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, resulting in the Chamber receiving the highest honor of a 5-star designation in November 2009.
Matthews serves as treasurer and on the Executive Committee of the KCCE Board of Directors. KCCE presented Matthews with a scholarship to attend the ACCE Convention in Los Angeles. Ali Crain, ACE, IOM, Executive Director of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives said, "Receiving your CCE is a big deal and I'm glad that KCCE is in a position to assist with a portion of the expenses related."
About the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce:
Incorporated in 1935, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is a 5-Star Accredited Chamber by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and was named the 2009 Chamber of the Year by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. As the fourth largest chamber in Kentucky, the Chamber serves as a premier business advocate for its more than 1,300 partners and is the driving force for economic development in South Central Kentucky. Its primary goals are to promote growth and success in the business community, reaching its small business partners and those in large industries alike. With leadership programs, governmental relations projects, educational initiatives and involvement opportunities, the Chamber aims to support the community and its neighbors in order to enhance the business climate and continue to grow the region.
About ACCE:
Established in 1914, ACCE is the only national association serving the professional development needs of individuals managing chambers of commerce throughout the United States and Canada. Representing more than 7,000 chamber professionals, ACCE enhances the knowledge, leadership skills, and management effectiveness of chamber executives and their staffs through education, trend analysis, benchmarking, and best practices. ACCE promotes the highest standards of professional excellence and integrity within the chamber profession.
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