Gary Wood will step down from his role as chair of the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce when his term expires on December 31, 2018. Chair-elect Tammi Wallace will take over the leadership position on January 1. Wood and Wallace co-founded the Chamber together in early 2016; the two are now focused on a seamless transition plan for the organization. Wood will serve as chair emeritus and continue to support the Chamber on special projects and helping maintain relationships with corporate partners. 

Letter from Gary Wood

Dear members and friends,

What an incredible ride! I’ve been honored to serve as the inaugural chair of the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

Over the last three years, the group that Tammi Wallace and I co-founded has grown to more than 100 members and nine corporate partners. We have hosted dozens of networking and educational events, launched a signature Pride in Business event, helped make hundreds of business connections and created innumerable opportunities for our members. And the Chamber is just beginning!

Since we first began planning the Chamber in 2015, I’ve spent a lot of time and effort to ensure this would be a sustainable organization, one that would continue to serve our community long after any of us involved in its creation were gone. I think we’ve accomplished that goal.

For me personally, it’s time to step aside from the day-to-day operations of the Chamber as I focus more on my own business while continuing to bridge corporate relationships for the Chamber and other nonprofits. It’s not a decision I make lightly, but I know that I will be able to continue to foster business relationships and grow the Chamber as chair emeritus. I look forward to that supporting role and seeing this organization grow into one of the leading diverse chambers in our region.

I leave the Chamber in the capable hands of my friend and co-founder Tammi Wallace and our fellow board members. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together and cannot wait to see what the future has in store for the Chamber. 

-Gary

Letter from Tammi Wallace

Dear members and friends,

Three years ago, I began a journey with a friend and fellow business person that we hoped would have a lasting impact on Houston’s LGBT community. But neither Gary Wood nor I could have dreamed at the time just how incredible the response would be to the formation of the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

Both Gary and I saw the need for the Chamber, an organization that would offer opportunity and voice to LGBT-owned businesses in the nation’s fourth-largest city. But, having participated in other nonprofits, we also knew what hard work it would be to create a new one from scratch that would accomplish the goals we set out. This I know to be certain: the Chamber would not have achieved the success it has without Gary’s incredible leadership as co-founder and board chair. Over the past three years, he has dedicated countless volunteer hours to plan, launch and lead the Chamber. His legacy will forever be part of our history.

As Gary steps down from his role as chair, I’m honored to serve as the Chamber’s next chair at a critical time for the organization. The Chamber has grown quickly through these months as people discovered the new organization. In our third year of operations and beyond, we will need to continue to build on that growth and deliver on the promise to new and existing members.

The LGBTQ and Allied business community is thriving in Houston and we are proud that the Chamber is the catalyst for such a strong and vibrant network. We are excited about our work ahead as we continue our focus on driving value and business growth for our members and corporate partners.

-Tammi