Mark Owens, President and CEO of Greater Winston-Salem, Inc. has been elected to serve on the board of directors for ACCE, the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, an Alexandria, Va.-based association of over 9,000 professionals who work for and with more than 1,600 chambers of commerce.
Members of ACCE’s board of directors represent more than 50 organizations, including many of the world’s largest and most influential regional chambers of commerce.
“We are pleased to welcome Mark to the ACCE Board of Directors,” said Sheree Anne Kelly, President & CEO of ACCE. “At a time when the role of chambers of commerce has never been more critical, the future is limitless for ACCE and the chamber industry. Mark’s expertise and leadership will be invaluable as we continue to optimize our opportunities and expand the pivotal role chambers play in shaping and strengthening our regions globally.”
Mark was named President and CEO of the Winston-Salem Chamber, now Greater Winston-Salem, Inc., in 2017. In his role he has overseen pivotal community and economic development initiatives including identifying key industry sectors for Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, collaborating with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools to implement ASPIRE, a career-readiness and paid internship initiative, and working with state and local officials to finalize projects totaling $455 million in capital investment and more than 1,500 new jobs.
Mark says he is eager to bring his breadth of experience in economic development leadership in the Southeast and apply it to a national platform through serving as an ACCE board member.
“ACCE works to support and develop chamber professionals to serve as leaders in their communities and move the needle for community progress. By collaborating with chamber professionals across the US, we all learn from each other. We are able to share successful methods and employ them locally,” says Mark.
“Mark has demonstrated exceptional leadership regionally, advocating for Winston-Salem and Forsyth County’s economic prosperity,” says Cathy Pace, board chair for Greater Winston-Salem, Inc. and President and CEO of Allegacy Federal Credit Union. “In his role on the ACCE board, Mark will collaborate with chamber leaders on a national level while continuing to raise awareness about our community and economic and workforce development initiatives.”
Mark is actively involved in the community in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, serving on the Board of Directors at Goodwill of Northwest NC, Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center, and the Piedmont Triad Partnership, among others. He is a graduate of Presbyterian College and the United States Chamber Institute for Organizational Management and holds his Certified Chamber Executive designation.