HUMBLE, TX— The Board of Directors of the Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce recently announced that Charlie Dromgoole, CCE, IOM, would take over as the new president effective October 1.
Dromgoole was selected after an extensive nationwide search by the Chamber’s Executive Search Team. The team began the search process in November of 2009 shortly after current president Mike Byers announced his plan to retire at the end of 2010.
Dromgoole’s background is in Chamber and economic development work. He brings more than 35 years of Chamber industry experience to the position, which has included serving as president of the Abilene and Round Rock Chambers. Most recently he led the Texas Forest Country Partnership in Lufkin, a 13 county regional economic development organization.
Chamber Board Chair Leon Brashier said the Board is looking forward to Dromgoole’s arrival.
“The Executive Search Team is to be commended for finding a candidate with such an expansive background in Chamber work and economic development,” Brashier said. “We believe he will help us grow our Chamber by working to strengthen the business community.”
According to Dromgoole, he was impressed with the leadership of the Lake Houston Area Chamber and the vision they have for the area.
“I am honored to be selected as the President of the Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce and look forward to the challenge," Dromgoole said. “I look forward to being a part of a dynamic organization and area.”
He said immediate plans are to learn about Lake Houston Area and build relationships to keep moving the Chamber forward.
“Meeting the members and staff, getting to know the area, and learning of the challenges facing us will be the first order of business,” Dromgoole said. “I am excited about going to work as a part of a team developing plans and programs to provide solutions to meet the needs of our members and the community.”
During his distinguished career in the Chamber industry, Dromgoole has served on the board of American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), Texas Association of Business & Chamber of Commerce, Texas Economic Development Council and is the past president of Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives (TCCE). He is accredited by the United States Chamber as an IOM (Institute for Organizational Management) and by ACCE as a Certified Chamber Executive (CCE), the highest accreditation a Chamber executive can earn.
Dromgoole was named “Outstanding Chamber Executive” by the Texas Association of Business & Chambers of Commerce in 1997. He was honored by TCCE with the Marvin Hurley Award in 1996 for his contributions to the Chamber profession and was named “Manager of the Year” by the Chamber of Commerce Executives Association of West Texas in 1991.
Dromgoole earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from Texas A&M University. He’s also attended Economic Development Institute in Oklahoma and Center for Creative Leadership in North Carolina.
Dromgoole and his wife Marilyn, a retired teacher, have three children Lisa, Laurie and Lindsey and four grandchildren. A Welcome Reception is being planned for Dromgoole and his wife on October 1 at the Chamber office.
About the Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce: The Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization of professional business men and women who have joined together for the purpose of promoting the civic and commercial progress of the Lake Houston Area. The Chamber is the organized voice for the quality of life and business related issues at the local, state and federal level of government and is the front door to our community for tourism and business relocation information. The Lake Houston Area Chamber is comprised of 1,300 members and serves Atascocita, Fall Creek, Humble, Kingwood, Spring, Summerwood and portions of East Montgomery County.
