Roughly two months after resigning as president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, citing a significant health issue that necessitated his full attention, Steve Ahlenius has landed gig with a nearby Chamber of Commerce – with no reported medical impairment holding him back from a full-time commitment.
Ahlenius was only at the local chamber for two years, hired in June 2022 after he was approved unanimously by the chamber’s board of directors. Then, the incoming leader was touted as experienced and dedicated to growing chambers and businesses.
“I’m excited to come to Beaumont because of the unprecedented growth and opportunities for the city and region,” Ahlenius said in advance of his hire.
Aug. 30, Ahlenius abruptly announced his pending departure, giving himself a month to clear out his office. According to the announcement cementing Ahlenius’ last day as Sept. 30, the chamber leader was battling a significant health issue that necessitated his full attention to healing and recovery.
“I have a serious health situation that I need to deal with over the next several months and need to focus on getting better,” Ahlenius said. “Running a chamber requires full-time focus, and I am not able to do both at this time.”
Before Ahlenius could get out the door, though, another possible reason for his hasty exodus could have been found in the revelation that an employee under his charge had allegedly embezzled more than $80,000 from chamber and Beaumont Chamber Foundation coffers the CEO is typically tasked with keeping secure.
Sept. 13, as revealed in The Examiner, former Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce Director of Finance and Administration Sidnee Lewis was indicted and arrested for stealing more than $84,000 from the nonprofits under Ahlenius’ control.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Lewis started stealing money almost immediately upon her employment – from Nov. 2, 2022, through May 31, 2024. The affidavit showed details of unauthorized credit card transactions to pay Lewis’ credit card bills, vehicle insurance and even a city of Beaumont speeding citation.
When she was hired, Lewis was fresh from a career in Houston property management, the chamber detailed, and the then-leader of the local chamber extolled the new staffer's expertise.
“I am excited to welcome Sidnee Lewis to the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce team,” Ahlenius said. “She has the right attitude and skillset to make a difference with our organization, chamber members and the business community
Ahlenius never addressed the long-term theft publicly, although he was still on the payroll as the chamber leader. Instead, incoming interim chamber CEO Mary Poole, who wasn’t to begin the position until Oct. 1, was tasked with taking calls requesting details pertaining to chamber’s finances. Allegedly, Ahlenius was too ill to be bothered.
Ahlenius was not too ill to seek out new employment, though. Nov. 6, the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce announced Ahlenius had been appointed as the new president and CEO, succeeding Walt Koenig, who retired abruptly a few months prior, reported SanAngeloLIVE.com.
Ahlenius’ habit of abrupt departure
Ahlenius served about 24 years as the president/CEO of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce before he tendered his verbal resignation Oct. 19, 2021, reading from a prepared statement, reported Gregg Wendorf, editor and publisher of the Advance News Journal in Pharr. Local news suggested the departure was linked to internal conflicts over adherence to chamber bylaws and whether the McAllen Chamber properly conducted job performance evaluations of its CEO.
Questions over Ahlenius’ pay proved divisive and the board’s internal disagreements were on full view until Nov. 9, 2021, when city and chamber administrators met to try to fashion a peaceful resolution. No peace could be reached and, the same day, the chamber’s board of directors voted to name Blanca Cardenas as interim CEO and pay Ahlenius two weeks’ severance upon resignation.
Reportedly, but not confirmed, Ahlenius was making about $150,000 at the time of his “voluntary” resignation. Two weeks’ severance would be worth approximately $5,800.
By June 2022, Ahlenius was one of three finalists for the position of Beaumont Chamber president and chief executive officer while he was living in New Braunfels. He accepted the position in July 2022.
The Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, this week, announced that the deadline for applications for the still open local president/CEO position is Nov. 30. The board plans to schedule initial interviews for Dec.10, according to Craig A. Escamilla, chair of the Board of Directors.
“We expect that the new president and CEO will take office in early 2025,” he stated. “We have a bright future ahead. Our board and divisions are actively working on many important initiatives that we believe will have a strong, positive impact on our businesses and our community.”