PRESS RELEASES

Alfred Sanchez Named President and CEO of Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce

PHILADELPHIA, November 1, 2016 — After an extensive nationwide search, The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Board voted today to install Alfred Sanchez as its next President and CEO beginning December 5, 2016. Sanchez was formerly the CEO for American Red Cross South Florida where he led a team of more than 3,000 volunteers and staff in support of nearly eight million people in 13 counties. In his new role as head of the regional Chamber serving the Keys to the Palm Beaches, Sanchez will oversee 29 committees, more than 5,000 volunteers and a staff of 26 committed to driving dialogue and action on the important issues in our community and helping members grow their business.

“Alfred is a proven executive with deep roots in the community who has the vision to ensure the Chamber continues to deliver on its role as the voice of South Florida business” said Chamber Chair and Florida International University President, Mark Rosenberg. “He will be a powerful force to drive the Chamber forward.”

“I have always sought to make an impact on our community,” said Sanchez, “the Chamber is in a unique position to make a difference in the lives of more than just the 400,000 member employees it serves and I am eager to continue its legacy while being an agent for change to meet the future demands of South Florida.” Sanchez served in several leadership roles at the Chamber over the last two decades.

The intensive search was conducted by Lauren Smith, partner at Diversified Search and longtime Chamber member. “After considering a large pool of extremely talented national and local candidates brought to us by Diversified, the search committee determined that Sanchez had the leadership experience, vision and connectivity within our diverse community to guide the Chamber in its next phase,” said Gene Schaefer, Miami Market President of Bank of America, who served as the head of the search committee and is Chamber Chair Elect.

Schaefer added that the search committee was comprised of a diverse cross section of community leaders from a variety of sectors — Adolfo Henriques, Chairman, Gibraltar Bank (past Chamber Chair); Alex Villoch, Publisher and President, Miami Herald Media Company; Carmen Perez, President, FPL FiberNet; Javier Soto, President and CEO, The Miami Foundation; Ricardo Forbes, Chief Diversity Officer, Baptist Health South Florida; Saif Ishoof, VP Engagement, FIU; Christine Barney, CEO rbb Communications (immediate past Chair) and Mark Rosenberg (Chair).

The committee recognized that Sanchez is a CEO with deep experience in both the non-profit sector and in private enterprise with a track record of success in helping organizations achieve their business goals. In addition to his work organizing a multi-functional structure and increasing fundraising for the Red Cross, he spent 11 years as President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Miami. He effected an impressive turnaround of the organization increasing and diversifying its revenues to $17,000,000 by significantly growing membership and fundraising. He provided the visionary leadership for a $20,000,000 capital expansion and worked hand in glove with the County to create a partnership to build YMCA family facilities in regional parks.

Sanchez’ work in the private sector includes Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. He was Director of Government and Community Relations where he designed the company’s corporate giving program, coordinated industry efforts to lobby US Senate and House members and established community partnerships in the US and the Caribbean.

Sanchez succeeds current President Barry Johnson, who has been at the helm of the region’s oldest and largest Chamber for the past ten years. Johnson will transition to President of the South Florida Progress Foundation, the Chamber’s 501C3. “Barry leaves the Chamber in a position of strength and our community owes him a huge debt for his dedication and service,” said Christine Barney, immediate past Chair and CEO of rbb Communications. “Under Barry’s tenure the Chamber has built its financial reserves as well as helped its members grow, improve and protect their businesses.”

Among its many accomplishments, the Chamber has been at the forefront of key community issues, helps businesses build ties through global missions, is training the next generation of leaders through its Leadership Miami ® program and hosts the area’s most coveted philanthropic award, Sand in My Shoes which will honor Jackson Health Systems CEO, Carlos Migoya, on Feb 8, 2017.

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