Andrea Hutchins, the first woman to serve as CEO of the El Paso Chamber in its 125-year history, will leave the job in June, the Chamber announced Tuesday evening.
Hutchins’ husband, Army Col. Michah Hutchins, is being reassigned from Fort Bliss to Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state.
“It has been an absolute honor to serve as the CEO of the El Paso Chamber and I am filled with immense pride for the work our team has accomplished,” Hutchins, who became CEO in August 2022, said in a statement. “I’m especially thankful to the board for their trust in hiring me, fully aware of my eventual departure. Their faith speaks volumes about the Chamber’s commitment to inclusivity and forward-thinking leadership.”
Under Hutchins’ leadership, the Chamber and its political action committee played a leading role in opposing Proposition K, also known as the Climate Charter, in the May 2023 election. Voters rejected the proposal by a 4 to 1 ratio.
The Chamber is convening a hiring committee to begin an immediate search for Hutchins’ replacement, said Elizabeth O’Hara, a Texas Gas Service executive who is chair of the Chamber board.
“In the past, policy decisions were made with very little input from the business community. Andrea changed that and created a space for those critical conversations to take place with our local leaders,” O’Hara said. “That’s her legacy. Our members now know this organization is looking out for their best interest at all levels of opportunity and risk and, advocates for their interests.”
The post Andrea Hutchins, El Paso Chamber’s 1st woman CEO, resigning in June appeared first on El Paso Matters.
Read: Read More