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Ray Hernandez
IOM-President & CEO Ray began his employment with the Huntsville-Walker County Chamber of Commerce serving as President & CEO on June 25 , 2019 .
Ray has an extensive background in the chamber community . Ray served as the President of the Lewisville Area Chamber of Commerce in Lewisville , Texas where he led the 9th largest Chamber in the Dallas-FT Worth region . Prior to that position , Ray led the Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce and the San Marcos Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Texas . In San Marcos , he led efforts to increase membership by over 300 % in two years . While at the Kyle Area Chamber , Ray helped lead efforts to pass a $ 209 million road expansion partnership . Ray also led the development efforts of the largest hospital between San Antonio and Austin ( Seton Medical Center Hays ) and the largest Community College ( Austin Community College ) between San Antonio and Austin , which opened in 2014 . In Lewisville , he helped lead efforts to pass the largest bond election in the history of the city . He led a team of volunteers and staff to earn a Four Star Accreditation from the US Chamber of Commerce .
In 2010 , he earned his Institute of Organizational Management ( IOM ) certification through the United Sates Chamber of Commerce at Loyola Marymount University at Los Angeles , California .
A US ARMY Veteran who served his country proudly , Ray graduated with Honors from Southwest Texas State University . He also received his Economic Development training from Texas A & M-College Station Extension office and is a Leadership training graduate with Honors ( Innovation 88 ) at University of Texas-Austin LBJ of Public Affairs .
Ray served as a Board Regent of the West Institute of Organizational Management program for the US Chamber of Commerce , an Executive Board Member ( Vice President of Communications ) for the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives , Board Member of Habitat for Humanity of Denton County , Board Member of the Lewisville ISD Education Foundation , a member of Lewisville Noon Rotary , Co-Chair of the City of Lewisville 2025 Comprehensive Plan Committee , Chair of the City of Lewisville Blue Ribbon Advisory Board , served on a Diversity and Inclusion Task force and as a Board Member for the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives organization . He is married to his beautiful wife , Belinda and has four children - Michael , Jennifer , Maya and Joaquin .
Shannon Higbie
Vice President of Administration Shannon is our Vice President of Administration . She handles the financial details for the Chamber and oversees the in-house financial statements , building and equipment maintenance , and provides record keeping for the monthly board meetings and the organization . She helps with the implementation of the Annual Board Planning Retreat , annual financial audits , the Mary Francis Park Memorial Scholarship and is staff liaison to the Thursday Leads Exchange group . Shannon is a graduate of Huntsville High School and holds a BA in English from Sam Houston State University . Shannon joined the Chamber staff in January 2003 and has completed the Fundamentals of Chamber Management through the Center for Chamber of Commerce Excellence . She is a graduate of Huntsville Leadership Institute Class 39 . Shannon recently completed her third year of the U . S . Chamber Institute for Organization Management program
Teresa Ringo
Coordinator of First Impressions
Teresa Ringo is the Coordinator of First Impressions at the Walker County Chamber of Commerce . Teresa greets members and other visitors , answers phones , assist with office calendaring , helps with incoming and outgoing mail , maintaining the reception area , and performs other administrative tasks as needed . She is the first person you will see as you enter the Chamber of Commerce . Teresa graduated from Richards High School in 1985 and began her 37 year career with Sam Houston State University shortly after graduation . She earned a Bachelor of Business degree as well as a Master of Arts degree from Sam Houston State University . She retired from Sam Houston State University in January 2021 . Teresa has two children and has lived in the Walker County community for the last 50 plus years .
COMMUNITY ASSOCIATES
Colt Christian Walker County Judge
Will Durham , D . A . Walker County District Attorney
Andy Brauninger City of Huntsville Mayor
Nathaniel James City of New Waverly Mayor
Dr . Scott Sheppard Huntsville Independent School District Superintendent
Dr . Darol Hail New Waverly Independent School District Superintendent
Delmy Reyes Texas Department of Transportation
Charlie Vienne Sam Houston State University
Patrick Shannon Huntsville Memorial Hospital , Interim CEO
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