Chamber CEO finalists make their pitch

Three finalists for the vacant president and CEO position at the Maricopa Chamber of Commerce spoke on why they were the best candidate for the job during a breakfast meeting Thursday at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino Resort.

Randy King, Jim McMichael and David Sommer are vying for the position open since December 2010.

After each man gave a speech highlighting his background, chamber members chatted one-on-one with the candidates.

Questionnaires were distributed asking chamber members to comment on each candidate.

Though their backgrounds vary, all three have experience as paid staff or volunteers in leadership roles for chambers throughout their careers.

McMichael, who lives in Maricopa and operates Everybody’s Auto Broker and Consignment, was elected to the chamber board in December.

He first submitted his resume to become president in January 2011 after Terri Kingery resigned at the end of 2010.

McMichael said he began attending chamber meetings and the city’s leadership academy after he and his wife moved to Maricopa two years ago and decided being on the chamber board was where he needed to be.

“I have been a member of chambers most of my career,” he said, adding his background as a business consultant and advocate make him well suited to head the chamber.