Mobile Chamber Expands Leadership, Creates Department

The Mobile Chamber has announced the expansion of its leadership team and the creation of a community development department. Laura O’Connor, who has served as senior director of special projects and grant administrator for the Mobile Chamber and Chamber Foundation since 2015, was named the chamber’s first vice president of community development. She will lead the department in an effort to address critical issues in the region, including workforce education; workforce transportation; attainable housing; downtown revitalization; entertainment and recreation; and diversity, equity and inclusion. O’Connor joined the chamber in March 2015 as compliance consultant and project manager for several community initiatives, including the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership, the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program Three Mile Creek project, and the Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council. With 22 years of grant administration experience, she also managed the $6-million Economic Development Administration grant supporting construction of Innovation Portal. Prior to her time with the chamber, O’Connor held several leadership roles in healthcare, grant and program administration. Additionally, Kim Garrett, director of Victory Health Partners and a member of the chamber’s board of directors, has been named vice chair of the department. In this volunteer role, she will oversee and direct the mission of the department as it seeks to support regional economic development and build a better community for all.