This article by Glenn Hamer originally appeared in Austin Business Journal February 2nd, 2021. (Photo by Phoenix Business Journal Photographer, Jim Poulin)
Glenn Hamer, who has served as the president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry for 14 years, is leaving his position to become the next CEO of the Texas Association of Business.
Hamer has served as president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce since 2006, and has focused on increasing Arizona’s competitive standing by advocating for major economic development packages that included reducing the corporate income tax and lowering the commercial property tax assessment ratio. He was also a major advocate of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the successor to NAFTA.
Prior to joining the Arizona Chamber, he was chief executive director of the Arizona Republican Party, according to his LinkedIn bio.
The Texas Association of Business is headquartered in Austin and is the state’s chamber of commerce. A TAB announcement indicates Hamer will become a staple at the Texas Capitol and in Washington, D.C.
“I am moving from one of the country’s top states for economic growth to another state with a strong, expanding and diverse economy,” Hamer said in a statement. “While I’m looking forward to this new challenge, leaving Arizona is not easy.”
Hamer will remain in his role with the Arizona Chamber until Feb. 18.
“We have every confidence that Glenn will represent Texas job creators at the state Capitol and on Capitol Hill with a genuine enthusiasm and commitment to make Texas the best state in the country to do business,” former TAB chairwoman Becky Redman of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics said in an announcement.
TAB’s nationwide search was conducted by Mike J.R. Wheless, Scott Watson and Michael Ballew of Anthem Executive.
Hamer replaces Jeff Moseley, who was hired in 2017 after rising to economic prominence at the Greater Houston Partnership and governor’s office. Moseley announced to TAB board member his intention to step down in mid-2020, according to Quorum Report.
The transition comes at an interesting time for Texas businesses. While the pain of the pandemic is still felt widely, some sectors have seen record growth in recent years. And the Lone Star State remains a top destination for companies and people relocating from higher-cost states. Texas and Arizona compete for some of the same major corporate projects, such as an expected Samsung chip plant that reportedly could bring more than 1,900 jobs and $17 billion in investment.
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