Greenville Chamber CEO, Carlos Phillips, elected to lead ACCE, receives elite CCE certification
August 7, 2023
Carlos Phillips, CCE, president & CEO of the Greenville Chamber, was named chair of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) Board of Directors during the organization’s annual meeting on August 1 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
ACCE is the professional society supporting the women and men who lead local, regional, statewide and international chambers of commerce and related business and economic development organizations. ACCE board chairs serve a one-year term. In this role, Phillips will oversee activities of a 65-member board of directors that provides leadership and strategic direction to the association’s 25-person staff.
“I am honored to be selected as the ACCE Board Chair for 2023/2024,” said Phillips. “I look forward to collaborating with chamber peers across the U.S., Canada and beyond to advance ACCE’s key priorities in building up inclusive and thriving business communities. For more than 100 years, ACCE has set the standard for chambers of commerce; a top priority will be continuing that legacy by providing innovative thought-leadership, practical solutions and cutting-edge resources to address critical community and national issues.”
Phillips has also been designated as a Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) by ACCE. The CCE program assesses and tests the applicant’s knowledge of core chamber management areas. Chamber professionals who are designated CCEs earned this prestigious recognition through countless hours of dedication to their field and leadership of their chamber to achieve the chamber’s goals.
CCE is recognized as the highest and most elite professional designation in the chamber of commerce profession. Phillips is one of ten chamber professionals to earn the Certified Chamber Executive designation in 2023. To date, only 475 individuals have earned the CCE designation.
According to Cal Hurst, 2023 Greenville Chamber Board Chair, “On behalf of the Greenville Chamber Board of Directors, I extend heartfelt congratulations to Carlos on his achievement of earning the prestigious CCE credentials, as well as his appointment as the ACCE Board Chair.” He adds, “This recognition is a testament to his dedication and visionary leadership, not only within our region but across the nation. These achievements further solidify his status as a national leader in the chamber of commerce industry and we are grateful for his impact.”
“Chambers of commerce have never been more important than they are right now,” ACCE president & CEO Sheree Anne Kelly said. “Carlos is an innovative and thoughtful leader who will help the chamber industry capitalize on this momentum to shape the future of our communities.”
Phillips has 17 years of industry experience, beginning his Chamber career in Louisville, Kentucky. He joined the Greenville Chamber as President/CEO in 2016. His tenure at the Greenville Chamber has been marked by significant investment, engagement and revenue growth; 5-star Accreditation status by the U.S. Chamber; relocation of the Chamber’s headquarters to downtown Greenville; and the successful implementation of many innovative programs and initiatives for the business community.
About The Greenville Chamber
The Greenville Chamber, now in its 134th year of operation, is the largest business organization in Upstate South Carolina with over 1900 Investors supporting the vision of a globally competitive Upstate economy where businesses succeed and people prosper. For information, visit greenvillechamber.org.
About The Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives
Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) is the professional society supporting the women and men who lead local, regional, statewide and international chambers of commerce and related business and economic development organizations. Our membership includes more than 1,600 business/civic organizations worldwide. We provide our members with information resources, thought leadership, education programs, original research, benchmarking, retirement security, and access to a network of peers.
