Waverly Partners Find New CEO for Norman Chamber of Commerce
May 9, 2017 – Executive search firm Waverly Partners has named Scott Martin as the new president and chief executive officer of the Norman Chamber of Commerce in Oklahoma. Past CEO John Woods left the organization this past November. Debbie Galbraith, managing director and principal at Waverly Partners, led the assignment.
Mr. Martin will report to the board of directors and is responsible for coordination of the program of work, organizational structure and procedures, motivation of volunteers, financial management, maintenance of membership and member services, training and supervision of staff, interpretation of policy and maintenance of facilities.
“The board, our staff, and our members are excited for Scott to lead the chamber,” said Curtis McCarty, chairman of the board. “Scott brings the policy and leadership experience necessary to help our businesses and city prosper in the years to come. Scott’s history as a pro-Norman, business advocate along with his experience with the City of Norman and political acumen make him the perfect selection.”
The Search
The search process began in December and more than 100 applicants from across the country submitted their resumes for the position. “Over the past five years, the Norman Chamber has placed a premium on its advocacy efforts to make sure they are ‘at the table’ early and often on conversations affecting the business and community environment in Norman,” said Ms. Galbraith. “There were a number of highly qualified finalists for the president and CEO position and Scott Martin was the successful candidate.”
“Scott brings a terrific combination of public and private sector leadership in Norman with his community banking leadership role and having served multiple terms as an elected state representative with a track record of advocating on behalf of business,” Ms. Galbraith continued.
Mr. Martin has served on the Oklahoma House of Representatives since 2006. He is also chair of the subcommittee on education appropriations, a post he has held since the 2015 legislative session. From 1999 to 2006 he worked for the City of Norman as the assistant to the city manager. Before that, he worked for the City of Noble as projects director and public works director.
Preferred Provider
Formed in 2001, Waverly Partners serves Fortune 500 service and manufacturing corporations, chambers of commerce and economic development organizations, non-profit organizations, professional service firms, private equity firms, hospitals and healthcare systems and colleges and universities nationwide.
It has conducted C-level assignments for a host of well-known clients, including Andersons, Greater Raleigh (NC) Chamber of Commerce, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Nordson Corp., Parker Hannifin Corp., AMETEK, Michelin, Nucor Corporation, South Carolina Aquarium, Cleveland Metroparks, and Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.
The firm has a national reputation of serving chambers of commerce and economic development organizations. The American Chamber of Commerce Executives, the national organization for chamber leaders, has designated Waverly Partners as the preferred provider of executive search services. It is the only firm in the country to have earned this distinction.
Ms. Galbraith has almost 20 years of executive search consulting, recruiting and operations management experience. Her experience includes search assignments for executive, administrative, operations management, clinical, financial, technology, sales and marketing leaders. She has filled senior positions for Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce, Clinton Regional Development Corporation, Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, and NeighborWorks America, among others.
Contributed by Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor, Hunt Scanlon Media
