Lexington, S.C. – The Lexington Chamber and Visitors Center Board of Directors has named Angelle LaBorde, CCE, as its next President & CEO. LaBorde will succeed Otis Rawl, who is retiring after more than four years as President & CEO of the Chamber in July. LaBorde will assume her duties on August 3, 2020.
A nationally recognized Certified Chamber Executive (CCE), LaBorde has provided more than a decade of dedicated service and leadership to the Greenwood, S.C. business community and has a quarter century of experience in the Chamber of Commerce industry and the non-profit sector.
“The search committee was impressed with LaBorde’s credentials,” said Chris Petty, Chamber board chairman. “She has an established track record of stimulating gains in revenues, promoting and advocating for public policy initiatives and extensive community engagement.”
According to Rawl, only four percent of executives in the nation possess the CCE designation.
“LaBorde brings strong organizational skills, a track record of community engagement, a strong work ethic and an ability to collaborate with others,” said Rawl.
LaBorde also possesses a certificate in non-profit management from Winthrop University with prior career experience at the United Way for the Greater New Orleans area and the American Diabetes Association.
“I am excited that Lexington leaders had the confidence in my abilities to lead their organization,” said LaBorde. “There is a lot of momentum in Lexington right now and I’m humbled to serve the organization and be a part of its continued growth and prosperity.”
Under her leadership, the Chamber led a successful community-wide marketing campaign for the passage of Greenwood County’s penny capital projects referendum. Voters supported the measure with 65 percent supporting the referendum.
In recent years, the S.C. Festival of Flowers yielded more than $4 million in economic impact for the Greenwood community and has received numerous awards from state, regional and international festival and event associations.
Prior to relocating to Greenwood as the Chamber’s first female executive, LaBorde served as chief executive officer for the Jefferson, La. Chamber of Commerce for more than seven years. In 1995, she began her career at The Chamber/New Orleans & The River Region as an area council manager and was later promoted to membership director.
LaBorde is a graduate of Louisiana State University and received her master’s degree in human resource management from the Florida Institute of Technology.
A 4-Star Accredited Chamber, The Lexington Chamber and Visitors Center has been creating a community that grows business for more than 60 years. Through services, advocacy and education for its 800 shareholders, the Chamber strives to promote business prosperity and a thriving community. To learn more about the Chamber and the Lexington area, visit www.lexingtonsc.org.
Photo: Angelle LaBorde
Photo: Otis Rawls
