AP reporter notices Chamber CEO Ingram voted against the position of his chamber

Posted on February 22, 2017

Yesterday, the Greater Pensacola Chamber sent out a position statement in support of Enterprise Florida, the Small Business Development Center Network and VISIT Florida.

Todd Thomson, Vice President of Public Affairs for the Chamber, stated in the release: “We have unique challenges in Northwest Florida and believe that the elimination of these programs would dramatically hinder future progress in our region.”

Meanwhile, State Rep. Clay Ingram, the Chamber’s CEO/President, voted for the House bill to eliminate those state agencies.

AP reporter Gary Fineout noticed the inconsistency and posted on Twitter:

Gary Fineout
‏@fineout
So this is confusing: Rep. Clay Ingram voted today to kill Ent. Fla & slash Visit Fla. $$. Yet he’s CEO of an organization opposed to bill

Gary Fineout
‏@fineout
The Greater Pensacola Chamber – of which Rep. Ingram is CEO – put out a statement say elimination of EFI would hinder area progress.

The next Chamber board meeting should be interesting.