Leadership team

Our senior team sets the tone for our work in economic development, advocacy, education & talent, and innovation & international partnerships.

  • Jeremy Martin

    Jeremy Martin serves as President & CEO to the Austin Chamber of Commerce. He has represented Central Texas businesses at all levels of government from the White House Business Council to local community groups with one purpose in mind: strengthening the Central Texas regional economy to create job opportunities across the economic spectrum. Prior to his current role, Jeremy served as Senior Vice President at the Chamber for thirteen years. As Senior Vice President of Strategy, he was involved in strategic planning efforts at the Chamber such as the regional Opportunity Austin initiative and the Chamber's annual InterCity Visit.

    As Senior Vice President of Government Relations, Jeremy oversaw advocacy efforts at the Chamber focusing on priorities such as economic development policy, transportation, infrastructure, education/workforce development, and regulatory climate. Whether it appeared on the ballot or a city council agenda, he knew how policy items affected Chamber members. Jeremy serves on the Board of Directors of the Austin Economic Development Corporation and is a member of the strategic planning committee. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Community Advancement Network having been Board Chair in 2016.

    Jeremy earned a Bachelor of Arts in mathematical economic analysis from Rice University and a Master of City Planning with a concentration in community and economic development from the University of Pennsylvania.

  • Charisse Bodisch

    As a 30+ year veteran in economic development, Charisse has worked in every aspect of the industry. As the SVP of Economic Development with the Austin Chamber and through the regional economic development initiative Opportunity Austin, she leads the team dedicated to the recruitment of new corporate citizens and the expansion of the local industry base for the five-county Greater Austin, Texas Region. Since Opportunity Austin’s formation in 2004, the organization has contributed to the overall prosperity of the Austin Region that has benefited from 777 corporate relocations, about 1,370 expansion announcements, and over 549,500 new direct/indirect jobs created.

    Prior to coming to the Austin Chamber in 2006, she served as CEO/Executive Director of the Allen, TX Economic Development Corporation (AEDC). Under her leadership, the AEDC owned and developed industrial and office parks and facilitated new development projects including industrial, office, urban retail mixed-use and specialty facilities.

    Charisse and her husband Robert are active in a variety of other organizations and enjoy traveling in their spare time. Charisse treasures time spent with her seven grandchildren and is most proud of the accomplishments of her four stepsons.

  • Roland Peña

    Roland Peña is the SVP of Global Technology and Innovation with the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Opportunity Austin – a five-county regional economic development initiative. His responsibilities include strategic outreach and program development of international and domestic initiatives and collaborations, that support the continued growth and success of innovation in the Austin Region.

    Most recently, Roland served as the Vice President of Economic Development leading recruitment efforts for high-value prospects in specific industry sectors that include defense/space innovation, software/IT, financial services, corporate headquarters, and international development. Roland’s 30+ year track in economic development is replete with success and the development of ongoing project pipelines that have achieved YOY growth. Roland has led relationship development initiatives and successfully guided businesses through the design and launch of new products, services, and investment opportunities. Demonstrating his ability to not only build winning project roadmaps but develop high-performance teams.

    Roland holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Management and a Master of Business Administration Degree in International Trade, both from Sul Ross State University.