More on Hizer

From the Chamber:
“On behalf of the Board and Search Committee of the PBACOC, I am excited to announce that we have hired one of the top Chamber executives in the country to be our new CEO,” said Chamber President Blaise Adams “When we embarked on this search over three months ago, our primary objective was to attract an individual with significant economic development experience in keeping with our objective to make economic development the top priority at the Chamber.”
After an exhaustive nation-wide search, it became clear, Adams said, that Hizer possesses the attributes the Chamber board was seeking.
“Jim Hizer is uniquely qualified to move our Chamber and our economic development efforts forward in this challenging environment,” he said. “His experience in leading a regional economic development program will prove invaluable as we seek to partner with other economic development agencies to implement a unified effort in creating a stronger and more sustainable economy.”
As its CEO, Hizer led the Bowling Green Chamber to become the 2009 National Chamber of the Year, as named by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives.
“The process of transforming the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce into a world-class economic development agency begins next month and I cannot wait to get started,” Hizer said. “When I look at the Pensacola Bay area, I see great potential. When I consider the possibility of the counties of Northwest Florida working together on mutually beneficial economic development projects, the potential is virtually limitless.”
Prior to Bowling Green Hizer worked with chambers in Richmond, Ind., Frankfort, Ind., Logansport, Ind., and Daytona Beach.
“Over the next several weeks, my highest priority is to be a good listener and to meet as many people as possible,” he said. “We have much work ahead of us and it is vital that our economic development initiatives be built on the foundation of mutual trust and strong relationships.”
A graduate of Indiana University, Hizer has also studied at the Oklahoma University, Ball State University and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organizational Management.