McAllen Chamber of Commerce
Steve Ahlenius has been President and CEO of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce since 1998. He has an undergraduate degree in History from Wayland Baptist University and has served on its board of trustees. He earned his Masters degree in Public Administration from Texas Tech University. Steve is a certified economic developer (CEcD) recognized by the International Economic Development Council.
The McAllen Chamber has experienced a 74% growth in membership since Ahlenius has been President and CEO. In 2001, the McAllen Chamber of Commerce was selected as the National Chamber of the Year by the National Association of Membership Development (NAMD). In 2008, the McAllen Chamber of Commerce became the first Accredited Chamber of Commerce in the Rio Grande Valley by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and received a five-star accreditation in 2014 (one of eight in Texas), and again in 2020.
In 2015, Steve was awarded the Marvin Hurley Award, the highest honor that a chamber executive can receive, by the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives for exemplary leadership and service to the chamber of commerce profession. In 2017, Steve received the distinguished service award from the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives. He will serve as TCCE Chairman in 2021.
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce, under Steve’s leadership, has led the way in developing innovation and start-up programs and is recognized for creating an “eco-system” and a business model for innovation and new companies started in the Rio Grande Valley.
Steve remains active in many other local and statewide organizations volunteering his services on the Board of Directors for the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives Association and the Texas Association of Business, and formerly served on the Board of Trustees of Wayland Baptist University. He has served twice as Chairman for the United Way of South Texas and Chairman of Rio South Texas Economic Development Council.
He came to McAllen because of the unprecedented opportunity for the city and because he believes McAllen is a community of the 21st Century. Steve is married to Jeanette and has three grown children Erik, Jennifer, and Mark, and six grandchildren.