Austin Chamber Names 2002, 2003 Leaders

AUSTIN-The Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce’s leadership for the next two years is set with Charles Barnett, a health-care executive, serving as chairman in 2002, and Rick Burciaga, a banker, taking the reins in 2003.

Barnett, senior vice president of Ascension Health, takes the leadership handoff Feb. 7 at the chamber’s annual meeting from current chair Susan Dawson, president and co-founder of the Athens Group. Burciaga, regional president of Wells Fargo Bank in Texas will serve as chair-elect until the annual meeting in 2003. Mark Hazelwood, the chamber’s president and CEO, handles day-to-day operations.

“Never has the chamber been more important than right now, when the economy needs a boost,” Barnett said in a statement. “We will have a powerful program underway to expand and revitalize business in our region, but we will also be working hard to develop our work force, build our transportation network and sustain our quality of life.”