The Board of Directors of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce has begun the search for the organization’s next President & Chief Executive Officer, retaining Waverly Partners as its executive search firm. Waverly Partners serves chambers and economic development organizations throughout the country and is the preferred provider of executive search services of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. 

Bryan Derreberry, the Chamber’s current CEO who has led the organization for over 13 years, recently announced his plans to retire once his successor is appointed. The Chamber Board is now conducting a national search to identify a new CEO to lead the organization into the future.  

As the Chamber embarks on this exciting new chapter, the Board has established a selection committee led by Matt Brewer, current Chamber Board Chair. The committee will work with Waverly Partners to identify qualified local, regional and national candidates. Committee members include:

• Matt Brewer, President and CEO, Choate Construction; Chamber Board Chair
• Elizabeth Burwell, SVP, Southern First Bank; Incoming Chamber Board Chair
• Willis Cantey, CEO, Cantey Tech Consulting
• Dr. David Cole, President, MUSC
• Joe Grech, CFO, South Carolina Federal Credit Union; President, SCF Solutions
• Mike Harris, VP of Sales for Major Group, Chamber, Associations and Student Health Plans, BlueCross BlueShield of SC
• Mark Lattanzio, Market President, TRUIST
• Natasha Lee, CEO and Co-Founder, Floyd Lee Locums
• Marc Marchant, CEO, LS3P
• Josh Sorkin, Senior Vice President, Engineering Innovation Factory, SAIC
• Keith Waring, Owner, Charlestowne Associates
• Jonathan Zucker, President, The InterTech Group

“The selection committee has developed a position profile for the Chamber’s new CEO that includes thoughtful input from a broad array of community stakeholders including business leaders, non-profits, government officials and Chamber staff. Our committee is confident that we will attract a quality pool of candidates that bring the experience and leadership characteristics desired in the next CEO,” said Matt Brewer, President and CEO of Choate Construction.  “We are open to executives with backgrounds in chambers of commerce, economic development, business associations, nonprofits, private sector or related experience with a commitment to working with our partners to initiate, advocate and empower the Charleston region to advance a prosperous business environment.”   

“Bryan’s leadership has poised the Chamber for a strong future,” said Elizabeth Burwell, Senior Vice President for Southern First Bank. “We are excited for this opportunity to identify a visionary leader who can continue to foster collaboration, advocate for our members and advance a thriving business community.”

A summary of the CEO position is available on the Chamber’s website at charlestonchamber.org/CEOSearch.

For more information about the search or to express interest in the position or make a recommendation, please contact Waverly Partners consultants Eric Peterson and Debbie Galbraith at Charleston@Waverly-Partners.com;  all inquiries will be held in confidence.