Mike Neal, longtime president and CEO of the Tulsa Regional Chamber, was recently re-elected as a vice chair of the Western Association of Chamber Executives (WACE).

At WACE’s 100^th annual meeting in Orange County, Calif., Neal also was chosen to serve a new, three-year term on the organization’s board. A premier organization for education and professional development for chamber executives and staff, WACE represents more than 800 chamber professionals in 21 western states and Canada.

Neal spoke in California on a panel with Michelle Dekker, president of the Inland Empire Community Development Foundation, which serves Riverside and San Bernadino counties in southern California. Moderator of the forum, titled “Inclusive Economic Development - What Is It and What Role Does The Chamber Take?” was Patrick Ellis, conference chairman and president of the Murrieta/Wildomar (Calif.) Chamber.

“It is my great pleasure to be re-elected as a vice chair and serve a new term on the Western Association of Chamber Executives board. Exchanging ideas with my peers at this conference has reminded me of the vital functions Chambers across the country perform in developing community leaders. In my leadership role, I will strive to enhance the storied reputation that WACE has built in its century of service.”

Neal joined the Tulsa Regional Chamber in 2006 after leading chambers in Nashville, TN, and in his hometown of Monroe, LA.

With the help of Neal’s leadership, the Tulsa Regional Chamber has been named the nation’s best chamber a record four times (2005, 2008, 2010 and 2020) by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE).

Last year, the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) named the Tulsa Regional Chamber the world’s top economic development organization. The Chamber was recognized for Tulsa’s Future, the organization’s regional economic development partnership, which has generated more than 80,000 jobs and more than $6 billion in capital investment since 2005.