Austin Chamber Announces Kerry Hall as Interim CEO

Posted on 12/01/2022

The Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce has announced that Kerry Hall will serve as Interim President and CEO beginning on January 3, 2023.

Hall has more than 35 years of experience in banking in Austin and recently joined the board of directors of Susser Bank. She has also been involved in economic development throughout her career.

Hall is currently a board member for Opportunity Austin, the regional economic development initiative. She was previously Chair of the Opportunity Austin board and served on the Board of the Austin Chamber of Commerce from 2015-2020.

“I am honored and thrilled to lead the Austin Chamber of Commerce while a permanent CEO is identified and onboarded,” said Hall. “I have been a resident of Austin since graduating from the University of Texas, and I am excited to be in the position to give back to a region and business community that has been so good to me and my family. This is among the most coveted Chamber roles in the US today, so I look forward to assisting in the selection of new leadership from what I expect to be an impressive list of candidates. My entire career in banking was focused on serving the business community, and I see this role as Interim Chamber CEO as a natural extension of that career of service. I look forward to assisting the Chamber’s amazing staff in sustaining Austin as the best place to do business in the country.”

Hall is taking over for Laura Huffman, who is leaving the organization on December 31, 2022.

“I am grateful that Kerry has agreed to lead the Chamber on an interim basis,” said Fred Heldenfels, Chair of the Austin Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. “Kerry has had a decades-long career building business relationships, and her expertise will help us in our work to continue making Central Texas the most prosperous area in the country.”

Hall has been active in civic organizations across Central Texas. She has served as the chair of the Austin Chapter of the American Heart Association and on Caritas and Visit Austin boards. In 2005, Governor Rick Perry appointed her to Texas One, the Texas Economic Development Corporation Board, where she served as a board member until 2011. Hall also served on the advisory board of Big Brothers Big Sisters and E3 Alliance.

Hall graduated from the University of Texas with a BBA in finance.

“Kerry is enthusiastic about leading the Austin Chamber and helping build on the success we have been experiencing,” said Ali Khataw, Chair-Elect of the Austin Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Chamber “We are fortunate to have passionate and dynamic leaders like Kerry fully invested in Central Texas's success. Kerry will bring together her passion for economic development and Central Texas to help us reach new heights.”

A national search for a permanent President and CEO for the Austin Chamber is forthcoming. Information about the search will be shared on the Austin Chamber website.