Naples Chamber of Commerce names interim president, CEO

Cotrenia Hood, with experience in chambers of commerce and economic development, in addition to working in Corporate America, has been named the interim president and CEO of the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce.

The announcement is also a homecoming for Hood, who was vice president of business development at the Naples chamber from 2010-2014. Hood replaces Michael Dalby, who held the chamber’s top leadership position for more than seven years. Dalby left in June when he was named assistant vice president for innovation, commercialization and economic development for the University of Texas-El Paso.

Hood assumed the role July 17, according to a statement. 

“Cotrenia is an incredibly skilled professional who has served and led economic development efforts in Louisiana and our very own Naples, Florida as well as an entrepreneurial spirit,” Chamber Chairwoman Julie Schmelzle says in a letter to chamber members. “She is smart and approachable and will bring her skillset to this interim role as we continue and build on our important work. 

Hood worked in sales for industrial supply company Grainger early in her career, where she was responsible for a seven-figure sales territory, according to her LinkedIn profile. She later oversaw membership for the St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce in Louisiana. In 2015 Hood formed her own consulting firm, Steel Bleu.

“It is an honor to serve as the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce interim President and CEO,” Hood says in a LinkedIn post. “Together with the Chamber’s staff, volunteer leadership and the remarkable business community we will continue to make Naples the best place to live, work and play.”

Schmelzle, in her letter to chamber members, says the chamber’s CEO search committee, formed last month, chose St. Petersburg-based Winner Partners to conduct the search for a CEO. Winner Partners has helped entities including the Tampa Bay Partnership, Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, Miami-Dade County and the Tampa Bay EDC find new leaders. 

The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce has 1,050 members. It was founded in 1947.