Then there were three...

The Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors announced three finalists for the position of President/CEO, giving the public an opportunity to meet the trio of candidates the week of June 20. The Search Committee, appointed by the board, received and reviewed over 60 applications for the role before narrowing the pool. Initial interviews were conducted remotely via video call, and three finalists are now invited for in-person interviews and meetings with various groups of constituents.

The three finalists include two local candidates, and one from the Texas Hill Country.

Michael Perez, currently living in Beaumont, serves as Business Development Manager and Licensed Residential Mortgage Loan Originator at Gateway Mortgage. He previously served as Executive Director of the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club of Beaumont from 2006-2015. Perez holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts & Science from Lamar University and an Associates of Applied Science from San Antonio College.

Kristie Young, currently living in Beaumont, serves as the Vice President of Economic Development at the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce. She previously served as ExxonMobil Business Partner with SNC-Lavalin from 2017-2020, Associate Director of Development at Lamar University from 2013-2017, and Executive Director of Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas Foundation from 2006-2013. Young holds a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communications from Texas A&M University.

Steve Ahlenius currently lives in New Braunfels, and served as President/CEO at the McAllen Chamber of Commerce from 1998-2021. He also previously served as Director of Business Development and Government Affairs at the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce from 1987-1998. Ahlenius is a Certified Economic Developer through the International Economic Development Council, holds a Master of Public Administration from Texas Tech University, and a Bachelor of Science in History and Political Science from Wayland Baptist University.