GFM, SanCap Chamber Hires Chief Membership Officer

provided to The Santiva Chronicle

As the Greater Fort Myers and Sanibel-Captiva Chamber welds its relationship with the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association Southwest Florida Region (FRLA), it has strengthened its service-oriented staffing with the hiring of Andy Wood as chief membership officer.

“I loved what I have been seeing with the chambers and FRLA coming together, integrating these memberships and giving all of these businesses better opportunities to network, do business together, and grow,” said Wood, who has served the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce as chamber ambassador and director of sales in the past. “I knew I’d be able to help keep the amazing momentum going not by just continuing to bring in new businesses as members but also focusing on member retention.”

Wood, a 2012 graduate from Kent State University, Ohio, in sports administration, worked as chamber director of sales from April 2021 to May 2022, following administrational positions with sports teams, including the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels. He returns to chamber staff from his most recent work as an account executive in advertising sales at Comcast Advertising. Before and after his previous position with the chamber, he served a total of six years as ambassador.

“Andy clearly possesses a firm understanding of and loyalty to the chamber mission and workings,” said John Lai, chamber president and chief executive officer. “We welcome him and his rich service background as a valued addition to our progressively more robust regional economic engine.”

“I am truly looking forward to working closely with John Lai,” Wood said. “He has such an energy about him that I think is hugely important as we work through the chambers coming together. My goal is to learn from him the best that I can, so I can be the best resource for businesses in the area. I am committed not only to member recruitment, but to making sure the current members are happy and seeing the success that we hope they do with the additional opportunities the chambers are providing by coming together.”

Wood lives in Cape Coral with his wife, Quillan, their eight-month-old son, Nico, and two corgis, Henry and Peaches. Anyone interested in contacting him about membership or the chamber and Southwest Florida area in general can reach him at Andy@fortmyers.org.

ABOUT SANCAP CHAMBER
The SanCap Chamber is dedicated to promoting the prosperity of its members and preserving the quality of life of our community. The Chamber plays a key role in facilitating communication and cooperation between business, residents, and government to enhance the economic health of the islands. Its website, sanibel-captiva.org, receives over 1.3 million visits per year. For more information about the chamber, visit sanibel-captiva.org or contact John Lai, president and CEO, at 239-472-2348 or John@sanibel-captiva.org.

ABOUT THE GREATER FORT MYERS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Founded in 1962, the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce is a business organization that provides solutions and promotes the prosperity of our members and protects the quality of life in our community. The chamber represents professionals and businesses throughout Southwest Florida, empowering, connecting, and uniting members through educational, community, and business-focused programs and events. For additional information regarding membership opportunities or events, call 239-332-2930 or visit Fort Myers.org. For the latest news and updates, follow the chamber on Facebook.