By Adam Pagnucco.
With the imminent retirement of long-time Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Gigi Godwin, the county chamber has announced its selection of D.C. chamber head Angela Franco as its new leader. The chamber’s press release is reprinted below.
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Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Names Proven Leader Angela Franco as New President & CEO
ROCKVILLE, MD: Today, the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) Board of Directors appointed Angela Franco as MCCC’s new President & CEO. Ms. Franco, a Montgomery County resident, brings a wealth of experience to MCCC, having served as President & CEO of the neighboring DC Chamber of Commerce for the past four years, and the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce from 2009-2017.
“We are delighted to welcome Angela Franco to the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce,” said Erin Allen (Contemporaries, Inc.), CEO Selection Committee Chair and Immediate Past Chair of MCCC’s Board of Directors. “Her proven track record of success, combined with her deep understanding of the regional business landscape and unique perspective, makes her the ideal candidate to lead the Chamber into a new era of growth and prosperity.”
“The Board of Directors is excited to welcome Angela Franco as President & CEO of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce,” said Dr. Anne Khademian (The Universities at Shady Grove), MCCC’s Board Chair. “Angela’s impressive leadership is defined by her values, strategic instincts, extensive experience, and her vision for partnership and business success. I look forward to working with Angela to build on the success of MCCC’s legendary CEO, Gigi Godwin, and to continue to advance the value and meaning of MCCC membership and the impact of MCCC on our county and region.”
Angela Franco expressed her enthusiasm for serving in the top leadership role at MCCC, beginning this fall.
“Montgomery County has been my home for years, and I’m excited to leverage my chamber leadership experience to support our vibrant business community,” said Franco. “I’m passionate about advocating for this community so we can ensure a thriving entrepreneurial spirit, and I’m looking forward to getting to know MCCC’s Board of Directors and all member and partner organizations.”
“She has had a successful career leading chambers of commerce, with impressive results in revenue growth vis-a-vis membership and sponsorship,” said Gigi Godwin, MCCC’s outgoing President & CEO who will retire at the end of July. “Her experience in advocacy and relationship-building makes her the ideal choice to lead MCCC.”
Ms. Franco holds a Master of Science in Finance from Escuela de Administratión, Finanzas y Techologia EAFIT, in Bogotá, Colombia, completed Deloitte’s Board Readiness Program, and is a Certified Life Coach and John Maxwell certified trainer, coach, and speaker. She is active in the community through her service on boards, including those for the United Way Capital Region, Pan American Development Foundation, KID Museum, and others.
She has been recognized for numerous awards throughout her career. In March 2016, she was named a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship Award. In 2022 and 2023, she was recognized as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Leaders by the Washington Business Journal, who also named her a Women Who Mean Business honoree in 2021. She has also been recognized by El Tiempo Latino, NBC4, the National Football League (NFL), Boy Scouts of America, the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, and DCTV.
About Angela Franco
Ms. Franco boasts a successful career leading chambers of commerce in the Washington Metropolitan Area. During her tenure as President & CEO of the DC Chamber, she increased the operating revenue by 60% by leading gains in membership dues, corporate sponsorships, and additional funding sources.
About the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce
The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) is the leading voice for Montgomery County, Maryland’s business community. This member organization serves as a catalyst for economic development by advocating for policies that promote a thriving business environment, connecting businesses with valuable resources, and fostering a vibrant and connected business community. For more information, visit https://www.mcccmd.com/.