Miami Chamber Officials Expected To Recommend New Ceo To Board

By Suzy Valentine
Officials at the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce are to pass a New Year’s resolution this week recommending a successor to former president and CEO George Foyo.

As Mr. Foyo settled in as president for South Florida at BlueCross BlueShield of Florida a month after announcing his departure from the chamber, representatives were to decide Wednesday (1/4) who should become the chamber’s fourth chief in less than 21/2 years. The board has the final word.

Barry Johnson, the chamber’s executive vice president, said the executive committee met twice before the holidays and would make a recommendation this week.

Regarded as a frontrunner by Mr. Foyo, with whom he worked at AT&T, Mr. Johnson was optimistic about taking over as president and CEO.

"I hope so," he said of his chances, "but whether the committee opts to make an internal choice is up to the members. Mr. Foyo and I share some of the same business ethics from our time together in the private sector."

Chamber chairwoman Rosa Sugrañes of Iberia Tiles, chairman-elect Adolfo Henriques of Florida East Coast Industries and first vice chairman Hank Klein of Codina Group have worked with the executive committee during the selection process.

"It is rare to have a talented senior executive director who is available for a position like this," said Mr. Henriques of Mr. Johnson. "He was a major architect in the ongoing restructuring of the chamber that has the chamber back on a great track."

Meanwhile, Mr. Johnson said Mr. Foyo would retain strong ties as BlueCross BlueShield’s representative to the chamber.

Mr. Foyo is to continue his work for the Partnership for Recovery, whose goal is to raise $25 million to assist the 5,000 people in Miami-Dade County worst affected by Hurricane Wilma, as one of four leaders appointed in November.