Agreement Brings Texas A&M, Chambers Of Commerce Together To Train Future Executives

An agreement between Texas A&M University and Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives (TCCE) will offer the opportunity to credential, train and develop up-and-coming chamber leaders nationwide. Announced at the Center for Chamber of Commerce Excellence (CCCE) conference in Dallas, the five-year memorandum of understanding links Texas A&M’s land grant resources and reputation for leadership development with emerging chamber leaders to provide training, conference facilities, online resources and student capstone projects through faculty and staff.

The agreement names Texas A&M as the title sponsor for CCCE events and the accrediting body for a Chamber of Commerce Excellence certificate.

The comprehensive credentialing program will be made available across the nation, supporting Texas A&M’s intensive focus on the national and global challenges of economic development and educating leaders of the 21^st century.

“This partnership allows us to provide our robust conference facilities, training infrastructure, expert faculty and dedicated students to develop future Chamber of Commerce executives as they build upon their skillset,” said Chad Wootton, Texas A&M associate vice president for external affairs. “Leadership is one of our six core values as a university, and we are excited to enhance our close relationship with the business community by helping develop emerging leaders with the same high-quality standards and innovation we apply to all aspects of higher education.”

Wootton, who heads the university’s Public Partnership & Outreach efforts in the Office of the Provost, helped craft the agreement along with TCCE Chairman of the Board Mitch Thames.

“This partnership will elevate the training options for chambers while simultaneously building awareness, expertise and creating career paths for a new generation of chamber professionals,” Thames said.