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Huntsville/Madison County Chamber leaders part of latest Certified Chamber Executive class

Huntsville, AL (July 24, 2017) — Lucia Cape, Sr. VP for Economic Development, Industry Relations and Workforce and Michael Ward, Sr. VP for Government and Public Affairs for the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, have been designated as a Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). Alexandria, Virginia-based ACCE is an association of more than 7,500 chamber of commerce professionals, and 1,300 chambers of commerce, around the world.

“The CCE program assesses and tests the applicant’s knowledge of core chamber management areas —management, planning and development, membership and communication, and operations,” says Bob Quick, CCE, president and CEO of Commerce Lexington Inc. and CCE commission chairman. “Chamber professionals who are designated CCEs have rightfully earned this outstanding recognition through hard work, countless hours of dedication to their field, and leadership of their chamber to achieve the chamber’s goals. We are proud to have this year’s class join a long tradition of professional excellence.”

Cape and Ward are two of nine chamber professionals to earn the Certified Chamber Executive designation in 2017. The nine leaders represent chambers of commerce in six states, including Alabama, Indiana, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Since the first CCE designation was conferred more than 40 years ago, about 500 professionals have become certified. CCE is recognized by many as the highest, and most elite, professional designation in the chamber of commerce profession. It’s the only globally-recognized certification program exclusive to the chamber of commerce industry.

Cape said “Professional development is an investment we make in ourselves, and I am so grateful to work for an organization that recognizes the value of that investment. Earning my CCE gives me confidence that I am able to do my job at the highest level, and it a positive reflection on the Chamber and its leadership to have certified executives on staff.”

Ward added “When I joined the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber 26 years ago, I never imagined that I’d find the Chamber field to be such a satisfying career. Serving the community by helping it to grow economically has been very rewarding. Achieving CCE is a highlight of my Chamber career.”

Certified Chamber Executives were recognized on stage July 18 at ACCE’s annual Awards Show, hosted this year in Nashville, Tennessee.

Learn more about ACCE’s CCE program by visiting www.ACCE.org/CCE.

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About the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives
The Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, founded in 1914, serves more than 7,500 chamber of commerce professionals, and 1,300 chambers of commerce or similar organizations, around the world. ACCE’s members come from nearly each of the largest 100 metropolitan regions in the United States. Based in Alexandria, Virginia, the mission of ACCE is to support chamber professionals so they can lead their communities. Learn more about us by visiting www.ACCE.org.