Tucson Metro Chamber Ushers in New Leadership, Welcomes Diverse Expertise to Board (2024)

Linda Welter, New Tucson Metro Chamber Chair

Tucson, AZ – January 12, 2024 – The Tucson Metro Chamber is charting a dynamic course for the future, announcing strategic updates to its Executive Committee and Board of Directors. These changes bring a potent blend of seasoned leadership, diversity, and fresh perspectives, poised to propel the organization forward in its mission to champion an environment where business thrives, and our community prospers.

Taking the helm as Board Chair is Linda Welter, Founder & CEO of Caliber Group. A veteran brand and reputation management strategist with over 25 years of experience, Welter boasts a proven track record of guiding companies through market fluctuations and navigating the complexities of growth. Her expertise in crafting effective business, marketing, and PR strategies is a powerful asset to the Chamber, particularly in today’s ever-evolving landscape. Welter’s dedication to community leadership further underscores her active roles in the Women’s President Organization (WPO) and the PRSA Counselors Academy, demonstrating her commitment to fostering positive change beyond the boardroom.

“Thank you to the chamber board and membership for electing me as your chair. To achieve greater impact as the voice for business in our community, we still have much work to do,” said Chair Welter. “The chamber is prepared to rise to the next level of leadership and collaboration with elected officials and community partners to serve local businesses on public policy issues and opportunities that impact their growth and sustainability in our community.”

“I am very excited about Chair Welter’s commitment to bold yet respectful advocacy on behalf of our small, medium, and large businesses in the region,” stated Michael Guymon, President & CEO of the Tucson Metro Chamber. “Linda’s passion for the future of our community’s economic vitality, as well as being a small business owner herself, is instrumental to achieving our goals.”

Joining Ms. Welter on a very diverse Executive Committee is Lisa Lovallo, Vice President and Market Leader for Cox Communication as Vice Chair; Danette Bewley, President & CEO of the Tucson Airport Authority as Treasurer; Travis Jones, Accounting and Assurance Senior Manager of Beach Fleischman as Treasurer; Edmund Marquez, Owner of Edmund Marquez Allstate Agencies as Immediate Past Chair. Joining the Board of Directors this year is Arika Wells, Vice President and COO of United Way of Tucson.

The entire Tucson Metro Chamber Board of Directors seated for the 2023-24 term is as follows:

Executive Committee

  • LINDA WELTER, Founder & CEO, Caliber Group, Chair of the Board
  • LISA LOVALLO, Vice President & Market Leader, Cox Communications, Vice Chair of the Board
  • DANETTE BEWLEY, President and CEO, Tucson Airport Authority (TAA), Secretary
  • TRAVIS JONES, Accounting and Assurance Senior Manager, BeachFleischman PC, Treasurer
  • EDMUND MARQUEZ, Agencies Owner Edmund Marquez Allstate Agencies, Immediate Past Chair of the Board

Board of Directors: 

  • ROB ASSENMACHER, President, CAID Industries
  • ERIC CORNIDEZ, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Pain Institute of Southern Arizona
  • RAY FLORES, Owner, Flores Concepts
  • BARNEY HOLTZMAN, Partner, Mesch, Clark & Rothschild
  • JULIE KATSEL, Senior Director, Local and Community Relations, University of Arizona
  • PAUL KRAMKOWSKI, Senior Director of Facilities & Real Estate, Raytheon Technologies
  • KATHI KYGER, Director, Government Relations, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
  • MIKE LEVIN, CEO, Port of Tucson
  • LUIS MANJARREZ, District Manager – Metro Tucson, Wells Fargo
  • KAMERON NORWOOD, Designated Broker, PICOR | A Cushman & Wakefield Alliance
  • ELI PEART, Chair, Emerging Leaders
  • KATHY PRATHER, Superintendent, Pima JTED
  • STEVE REICHLING, CFO, Tucson Medical Center
  • DR. IAN ROARK, VP, Workforce Development, Pima Community College
  • JOE SALKOWSKI, Director, Communications and Public Affairs, Tucson Electric Power
  • BRYAN SCHACTER, Chief Investment Officer, Watermark Retirement Communities
  • CAROL STEWART, Vice President, TECH PARKS ARIZONA
  • PRISCILLA STORM, Vice President, Diamond Ventures
  • DEVON UNDERWOOD, Founder and Principal, The Talent Store
  • ARIKA WELLS, Vice President and COO, United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona
  • JOHN WINCHESTER, Senior Director, Government & Community Engagement, Arizona State University

For more information regarding the Chamber’s board of directors, contact (520) 792-1212 or visit TucsonChamber.org.