ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) today announced the selection of Sheree Anne Kelly as its next president and CEO. Kelly currently is senior vice president of the Public Affairs Council (PAC) in Washington, D.C., a nonpartisan, nonpolitical association for public affairs and government relations professionals. Her appointment is effective Sept. 5. Mick Fleming, ACCE’s president and CEO since July of 2001, will serve throughout the transition.
“Finding a talented leader is often a daunting task when searching for the best person to lead a proven and successful association,” said ACCE Board Chairman Jay Chesshir, CCE, president and CEO of the Little Rock Regional Chamber. “Everyone involved in the executive search process has been extremely impressed with Sheree Anne and we look forward to working with her to build upon the amazing impact, strength, and resources we’ve created over the last 16 years.”
Kelly was the unanimous choice of ACCE’s 15-member CEO Search Committee, chaired by Roy H. Williams, president and CEO of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber. The committee worked with executive recruiting firm Korn Ferry.
“We went through a very methodical, disciplined process to find the right person,” Williams said. “And at the end of that process, I believe the entire committee felt we perhaps exceeded our own expectations by finding Sheree Anne. Her attitude, enthusiasm, skill set, and personality should combine to take ACCE to a new level.”
Kelly currently serves as PAC’s chief public affairs expert and deputy for the organization, and executive director of PAC’s Foundation for Public Affairs. In addition to strategic planning, operations management, and research oversight, she directs the Council’s public affairs staff responsible for consulting, thought leadership and training on best practices and ethical considerations.
She launched the international practice for PAC, which opened its first overseas office in Brussels in 2013. She’s a frequent keynote speaker and guest lecturer, having delivered presentations across North America, Europe, and Asia. Prior to joining PAC, Kelly worked in the government affairs department of the National Association of Home Builders, and held positions at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in corporate relations and corporate development.
“Since my first job out of college was working for the U.S. Chamber,” Kelly said, “ACCE is a real full-circle career moment. I’ve always had this idealism about giving back to communities and groups, and being a productive contributor to a mission-driven organization, so working with chamber leaders and ACCE’s staff is a thrilling opportunity.”
As an undergraduate at Bucknell University majoring in international relations, Kelly studied for six months in France and came home a Francophile. “I love all things French — the food, music, art, and history,” she said. In her spare time Kelly enjoys “cooking everything from scratch,” and traveling to new destinations. She also holds an MBA from Georgetown University and a Master of Arts in Government from Johns Hopkins.
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Established in 1914, the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) includes 7,000 leaders from 1,300 chambers of commerce across the U.S., Canada and 12 other countries. Ninety-three of the top 100 U.S. metro chambers are members, yet more than half of ACCE’s chambers have budgets less than $300,000 or operate in towns with fewer than 10,000 people. Members join ACCE for best practices, industry trends, corporate partners, peer networks, and new ideas to enhance the effectiveness of their organizations and to advance the interests of their communities.
Media Contact:
Contact: Jay Chesshir, CCE
Chairman, Board of Directors
Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives jchesshir@littlerockchamber.com