GREENVILLE, NC (October 28, 2021) — Leaders of the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce have chosen Trent McGee to serve as the business organization’s next president and chief executive officer.  The announcement was made today by Jonathan Taft of Taft Family Ventures and 2021 chair of the Chamber’s board of directors.  McGee has been serving as interim president of the organization since August.

“I’m excited to have Trent as our president,” said Jonathan Taft, chairman of the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.  “With more than 11 years of employment with the chamber, Trent has the support of the staff, leadership and our community.  He also has great institutional knowledge and the desire to improve the work of the Chamber as we meet the needs of our members and community.  Most importantly, Trent is a companion of the members of our Chamber’s board of directors and a champion of the Greenville-Pitt County community.”

McGee started his career with the Chamber in 2010 as director of programs and director of public policy.  In 2018, he transitioned to director of marketing & communications, a role he still currently holds.

“The opportunity to build upon my career with the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce has been incredible,” McGee said.  “I am blessed to have the opportunity to lead such a reputable organization and grateful to work with a committed staff, board of directors, and partner organizations who share my passion for improving the business community’s credibility and visibility.  I have been extremely fortunate to have served under four very successful former president’s, each of whom had a positive impact on my professional and personal growth.”

McGee serves on various boards, including the Greenville-ENC Alliance, Parents for Public Schools of Pitt County, and Uptown Greenville.

McGee is a 2004 graduate of East Carolina University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in communications.  He and his wife, Dr. Lauren McGee, reside in Greenville and have four daughters, Adelyn Jane, Emery, Mary Blake, and Baylor.

McGee will officially begin his duties as president and CEO on Monday, November 1, 2021.

“The executive board and search committee took a very focused approach to identifying candidates to serve as president,” said Van Smith, search committee chair and executive vice president of Vidant Medical Center.  “The first part of the executive search allowed us to listen to our members and community leaders.  The next segment included casting the net for candidates through various professional associations such as the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives and the Carolinas Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.  We also targeted and contacted candidates we felt may be the right fit for the role.  And finally, we vetted each of the final candidates through a detailed application, Zoom interviews, and an in-person presentation.”

Members of the chamber’s executive committee who made the unanimous recommendation to the full Board regarding McGee’s selection, in addition to Taft and Smith, include Eric Clark, First Citizens Bank; Phillip R. Dixon, Sr., Greenville Utilities Commission; Dr. Emmett Floyd, retired - ECU; Dr. Christopher Locklear, ECU; Taylor Duck, Merck; and Chris Padgett, Greenville Utilities Commission.

The Greenville-Pitt County Chamber is the only 5-Star accredited chamber in North Carolina and has a membership of over 1,000 businesses.  Kate Teel served as president of the chamber from 2018 until earlier this year when she accepted a position with the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.

Serving on the chamber’s search committee in addition to Smith, Dixon, Dr. Floyd, Taft, and Teel from the executive committee, included Leo Corbin, retired; Sterling Edmonds, retired; Dr. Shondell Jones, Kinetic Physical Therapy and Wellness; and Ann Wall, City of Greenville.

The Greenville-Pitt County Chamber retained The Chason Group, a firm with expertise in executive searches for chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, tourism groups, and foundations.