Carl Blackstone to step down as Columbia Chamber president and CEO

Carl Blackstone, who has led the Columbia Chamber for more than 12 years, announced he will step down as president and CEO to pursue a new professional opportunity.

Blackstone has led the Chamber since 2014, when he was selected following a nationwide search to succeed longtime Chamber leader Ike McLeese, who died in 2013. Blackstone came to the organization with extensive experience in government relations and public policy, including work with Copper Dome Strategies and Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd and previous roles with former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford and the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce.

In a letter announcing his departure, Blackstone said serving the Chamber had been one of the greatest honors of his professional career. He credited the Chamber’s board, staff and partners, along with collaboration among business, government, education, military, nonprofit and community leaders, with helping strengthen the Columbia region during his tenure.

The Chamber’s Board of Directors will begin a comprehensive search for Blackstone’s successor. The search committee will be chaired by current Board Chair Terrance Ford. Blackstone did not identify his next professional opportunity in the announcement.