The Austin Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors unanimously named Joe E. Holt, Chairman of JPMorgan Chase, as the 2007 Chair-Elect. He will become Chair of the 2,700-member, five-county business organization in 2008, succeeding Roger Mitchell, President of Texas Gas Service Company.

“Joe Holt is an experienced leader,” said current Chamber Chair Roger Mitchell, President of Texas Gas Service. “His commitment to Opportunity Austin and the Chamber will have a positive impact on the economic development of this community.”

Holt is Chairman-Austin Region and Market Manager for Middle Market, and he has worked for JPMorgan Chase and its predecessors for 34 years. An experienced leader in Texas regional banking, Holt has served as South Region Manager for the bank’s Technology Corporate Banking Group. He has also worked in various senior management positions within J.P. Morgan Chase’s Commercial and Middle Market business groups.

Holt is actively involved community development within Austin, serving as the 2007 Chair of Opportunity Austin and the Chamber’s Vice Chair of Economic Development. He is a member of the Austin Area Research Organization and Vice President of the Austin Crime Commission. Holt is on the Board and Executive Committee of the Austin Symphony and the Executive Board of the Capitol Area Council of Boy Scouts of America. He also serves on the Advisory Boards of Caritas and the Ronald McDonald House, as well as on the Strategic Advisory Board of American Youthworks.

"Joe Holt has a distinguished record of service to this community," said 2006 Chamber Chair, Tim Crowley, President of Frost Bank's Community Banking Group. "His knowledge and contacts will be a real asset to both the Chamber and Opportunity Austin in the coming years."

A native of Henderson, TX, Holt graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.B.A. in Finance in 1971.

Roger Mitchell, President of Texas Gas Service Company, began serving as Chamber Chair at the beginning of 2007. Mitchell had previously served as Chamber Vice-Chair for Governmental Relations and served as Chair-Elect in 2006.