The Board of Directors of the Greater Pensacola Chamber announced this week that current President & CEO Jerry Maygarden has been chosen to help grow and oversee the operations of its 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm – the Pensacola Chamber Foundation.
Maygarden, who has managed the day-to-day functions of the Chamber since October of last year, has been responsible for several successful initiatives to reprivatized and restructured the organization, including its separation from Visit Pensacola and establishing a separate economic development agency that could continue to work with regional government partners to create jobs and help bring economic prosperity to the region.
“Even though Jerry was originally supposed to be with us for a short period of time, his energy and passion have transformed our organization to be more independent, leaner and efficient,” said Carol Carlan, Chair of the Greater Pensacola Chamber Board of Directors. “Because of the wonderful job Jerry has done with our Chamber, we are now asking him to transfer his experience and skills over to the Foundation, which will in turn allow us to continue to move our region in a positive direction.”
The Pensacola Chamber Foundation currently oversees several of the Chamber’s signature programs and initiatives, including Leadership Pensacola (LeaP); the PACE Awards; and Vision 2015, a five-year plan for job creation that met its goal of creating 3,000 high-wage jobs two years earlier than promised.
“Jerry’s exemplary leadership and dedication is exactly what our Foundation needs,” said Pensacola Chamber Foundation President Jim Mathis. “His willingness to serve when called upon reflects his everlasting commitment to our community and exemplifies the true meaning of public service.”
A former mayor of the City of Pensacola, Maygarden previously served as the chief executive officer for the Baptist Health Care Foundation, as well as a senior administrator and chief development officer for the Baptist Medical System.
“Jerry has proven to be a highly effective leader, and we will be forever grateful for his service to our organization,” said Immediate Past Chair Gary Huston. “We look forward to the upcoming search for a new president who will continue the Chamber’s overall mission of encouraging small business development, making Greater Pensacola an ever more appealing place to live and work, and advocating for issues that set the stage for regional prosperity.”
Maygarden will be working closely with the Chamber’s Board of Directors as a consultant and will assist with the recruitment of a new president. He has agreed to remain with the Chamber until a new leader is selected