The Texarkana Chamber of Commerce is looking for a new President/CEO. 

Texarkana Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Jeff Sandford announced today that he is resigning his position and moving into a consultant role for the Chamber. As its consultant, Sandford will work with the Chamber over the next several months to help with economic development, special projects and a smooth transition to a new CEO.

“We are grateful for the outstanding leadership and vision Jeff has had for the Chamber of Commerce during his tenure with us,” said DeMita Torrans, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. “He has led the organization into a very positive relationship with regional business partners and has dramatically changed the impression of the chamber in the community to an organization that is well respected and poised to recruit more partners and industrial development.”

Sandford said he feels this is the right time for him to move forward to another leadership opportunity and to focus on the next chapter of his life with career and family.

“For the first time in nearly a decade, I believe that the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce is firing on all cylinders, and I couldn’t be happier with the progress we have made as an organization,” Sandford said. “The Board of Directors has been very supportive of the initiatives I have brought to them, and we have seen positive changes with the brand and image of the Chamber, the loyalty of our partners, and record-breaking attendance at all Chamber networking events.”

Sandford said the Chamber has made great head-way in communication with its partners on important issues that impact the region, including transportation, educating the community about water resources and initiatives to save Red River Army Depot from future BRAC decisions.

“I believe as a team, we have united people in this community and have kept service as the core of our mission,” Sandford said.

Sandford has worked in the Chamber of Commerce industry for more than 22 years and currently serves as board member and faculty for the US Chamber Institute program.  He also serves on numerous boards on the local, state and national level and plans to remain fully involved with his affiliations. Sandford said he is looking forward to spending more time with his wife, Sonia, and three children, Austin, Reagan and Carson and his current commitments to leadership roles within the Texarkana community, including the Wilbur Smith Rotary club.

Sandford said he believes the Chamber is now positioned structurally to move ahead with new initiatives and that the strength of the membership and board enabled him to make this change right now.  Sandford believes his biggest accomplishment as President/CEO of the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce has been to build relationships and programs to support the more than 1,100 Chamber partners and to positively impact hundreds of jobs in our region.

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