Michael

A native Tucsonan, Michael’s twenty-two-year professional career has primarily centered on political strategy, business development and advocacy, and organizational management. He actually enjoys politics and policy (early in his career he was Chief-of-Staff to Tucson City Council Member Fred Ronstadt) and leads the Chamber’s local government affairs and initiatives. Between trying to reduce government intrusion into business and advancing talent development and attraction, Michael is committed to making Tucson a great place to live, work and play.

Hobbies:

Ice hockey goaltender, classical guitar, painting (mainly in the form of duplicating Rothkos and Thiebauds), live music, travel

Fun fact:

Michael was named the Official Scorer for the Tucson Padres AAA Baseball Club from 2011 – 2013. The team moved to El Paso in 2014.

MICHAEL GUYMON

President & CEO


Carrie

Carrie is an outdoors girl most comfortable wearing jeans, cowboy boots and riding her horses. She relocated to Tucson from Bend, Oregon, 16 years ago with her husband and two children, to enjoy the beautiful Arizona desert and sunshine. Left behind in Oregon were her eclectic jobs of farming, banking, jeweler, owner of a floral shop and a tile manufacturing company.


Hobbies:
Horseback riding, running, traveling


Fun Fact:
Carrie broke her finger while trying to kill a spider.

CARRIE GILCHRIST

Vice President of Membership Relations


Zach

Over the last decade, Zach has been intentional to work at the intersection of workforce and economic development, and neighborhood and housing policy to shape an inclusive, innovative future for Tucson. Prior to coming on board with the Tucson Metro Chamber, his recent professional roles included Executive Director of Tucson Young Professionals (growing membership and financial resources by nearly 1,000%), host of Tucson daily talk show "Tipping Point" on AM 1030 KVOI The Voice, and Director of Operations for local coffee company Savaya Coffee Market. In the community, Zach has served on a number of boards and committees including the Downtown Neighborhoods and Residents Council and the Downtown Tucson Partnership Board. In 2019 Zach was named Tucson's 40 Under 40 Man of the Year, and is a 2020 Flinn-Brown Fellow, a statewide network of people committed to solving Arizona's toughest challenges.

Hobbies:
As a parent to three small children, there's not a lot of time for hobbies, except for drinking great local coffee, to keep up with the kiddos!

Fun fact:
Zach has spent multiple years in the Balkans and learning Albanian, a language that is only spoken in two countries around the world.

ZACH YENTZER

Vice President of Business Advocacy




DIRECTORS


Frank Velásquez, Jr.

Frank Velásquez, Jr. leads and collaborates with passion, authenticity and an open mind. He connects to the stories that make each of us who we are and the stories that inextricably connect us to one another. His career has included stops in the private sector such as Walt Disney World and MGM Grand Resort & Casino Las Vegas, as well as higher education (Pima Community College), the not-for-profit sector (JobPath, Boys to Men Tucson), and consulting/contracting work (YWCA of Southern Arizona, Sunnyside Foundation and Sol Casinos).

As a racial equity and social justice advocate, Frank strives to bring local, regional, and national attention to the inequities that people of color face, which he does through his workforce and community development work in Southern Arizona. His latest project is the creation of and soon-to-be-launched Women’s Economic Advancement Center at YWCA of Southern Arizona, a self-sufficiency center designed to meet women where they are by providing them holistic support with local resources so that they can achieve economic stability.

Hobbies:
Playing basketball, traveling the globe, hiking, movie-watching and loving his partner in crime.

Fun fact:
Frank has traveled to more than 35 countries and has set foot on five continents. The next stops are South America and Antarctica!

FRANK VELÁSQUEZ JR.

Director of Workforce Advocacy




    INVESTOR RELATIONS


      David

      David is a proud Navy veteran that worked in Radio Communications/Intelligence before moving to Tucson. He attended Arizona State University and received a degree in Political Science. He has worked assisting veterans since getting out of the Navy, including his most recent position in which he helped a local veteran-owned brewery expand statewide. He knows several small business owners around town as well as across the state and looks forward to helping them all achieve success. 


      Hobbies:

      Traveling, attending sporting events, spending time with his lovely wife and golden retriever.


      Fun Fact:

      He has attended a college or professional sporting event in 35 U.S. States. 

      DAVID A. BOWERS

      Regional Partnership Specialist


      Stephanie

      A 2021 University of Arizona graduate, Stephanie is new to the Chamber and brings with her a diverse background. Stephanie has worked within the Pima County Attorney's Office as both a volunteer and staff Victim Advocate, serving victims of crime within the community through both court advocacy and crisis response. During her undergraduate program, she interned for the Government Affairs Group of the Arizona Supreme Court at the legislature. This gave her an opportunity to work alongside lobbyists and elected officials on behalf of the courts of the sate. These experiences have led her to the passion and commitment that she has for serving the community today.


      Hobbies: Quality time with family, walking her dogs, staying physically active, DIY projects, travel


      Fun fact: Stephanie is originally from El Centro, California



      STEPHANIE SPENCER

      Business Advocacy Specialist


      Mellissa

      Melissa is a Tucson transplant with a passion for the city and its people. She has a background in political science and public health and has dedicated her career to advocacy and community engagement.

      Melissa started her career working for non-profits, where she advocated for policies that promote health, equity, and opportunity for Arizona residents. In 2018, she began freelance marketing to promote local businesses and initiatives in Tucson. In 2020, she joined state agency, First Things First, where she implemented communications and engagement strategies within indigenous communities to further workforce development and economic growth through investment in early education.

      Melissa is passionate about using her expertise to elevate the voices and stories of Tucsonans. She is committed to working with people from all walks of life to create an equitable and thriving business environment in Tucson.

      Hobbies:
      In her spare time, Melissa enjoys exploring Tucson's gastronomy scene, attending trivia and game nights, and binge watching the latest true crime docuseries.

      Fun Fact:
      Melissa is a thrill seeker. She has gone skydiving over the Sedona Red Rocks, shark diving in the Caribbean and hopes to eventually add bungee jumping in New Zealand to her list of adventures.



      MELISSA ROSCIANO

      Communications and Marketing Manager



        Lucinda Del Rincon

        Lucinda is from Douglas / Agua Prieta, Sonora Mexico, a border town two hours Southeast of Tucson. She moved to Tucson to go to the University of Arizona and pursue a career in Visual Communication. After graduation she worked in various art fields and even had her own event decorating business. Life happened and things changed landing her at the Children’s Museum Tucson as their Membership Coordinator. During her time at the Children’s Museum Lucinda had several roles as Event Coordinator and Manager of Community Engagement. After seven amazing and wonderful years at the Museum Lucinda decided it was time to keep learning and growing and applied her new learned skills to a new adventure at the Tucson Metro Chamber.

        Hobbies:
        Traveling, Dancing, Reading Books and Comics, Spending time with family, friends, and her puppies – Bacon and Lana.

        Fun Fact:
        Most people think her name is Lucy; both Lucinda and Lucy are a fan of Star Wars, lol.



        LUCINDA DEL RINCON

        Events and Program Coordinator


        Diana

        Diana is a California girl originally, although she lived on military bases throughout the U.S. for 18 years until she settled in Tucson. She worked in the jewelry industry, had her own daycare business for 17 years, and did office administration for a mortgage company. Perhaps you’ve seen her on the Chamber’s Univision commercial. She’d be happy to give you her autograph.
        Hobbies: 
        Dancing, listening to live music, doing construction projects

        Fun fact: 
        She lived on a farm for three years in Sonora, Mexico, where her dad owned a vineyard. She loves the country life.

        DIANA CORTEZ

        Office Administrator


        Tammy

        Tammy landed in Tucson at an early age as the result of her father’s military transfer to DMAFB.  After graduating from the University of Arizona she worked behind the scenes for a local architecture firm for 10 years before moving into the property management arena. In 1999, Tammy joined the Chamber team.

        Hobbies:
        Gardening, travel, basket weaving, crafts

        Fun Fact:

        WHEREAS Tammy has assisted with more than 1,000 ribbon cuttings, she is literally comfortable running with scissors!

        TAMMY JENSEN

        Member Services Manager



        CREATIVE


        David 

        David is from Los Angeles, California, although he lived in Mexico for a couple of years before moving to Tucson for the heat and the saguaros. He graduated from Pima Community College with a degree in graphic design and multimedia. A wonderful serenity has taken possession of his entire soul, like these sweet mornings of monsoon which he enjoys with his whole heart.


        Hobbies:
        Drums, guitar, skating, working out, Gameboy, running


        Fun facts: |
        David recorded his band’s demo in a random house near Tucson High Magnet School.

        DAVID LONG

        Creative Manager





        EXECUTIVE TEAM


        Tucson Metro Chamber President and CEO Amber Smith

        AMBER SMITH

        President & CEO


        Image of Executive Staff Member Michael Guymon, Vice President at the Tucson Metro Chamber

        MICHAEL GUYMON

        Vice President

        Local Community & Government Affairs


        Image of Public Affairs Staff Member Robert Medler, Vice President of Public Affairs at the Tucson Metro Chamber

        ROBERT MEDLER

        Vice President

        State & Federal Affairs


          SHIRLEY WILKA

          Executive Assistant


          INVESTOR RELATIONS


          Image of Business Development Staff Member Carrie Gilchrist, Director of Business Development at the Tucson Metro Chamber

          CARRIE GILCHRIST

          Director of Business Development


          Image of Business Development Staff Member Adam Begody, Business Development Executive at the Tucson Metro Chamber

          HEATHER WUELPERN

          Director of Communications


          Image of Special Projects Staff Member Carol Gatewood, Director of Special Projects at the Tucson Metro Chamber

          CAROL GATEWOOD

          Director of Special Projects


          Sector Partnerships

          ADAM BEGODY

          Senior Account Executive


            Sponsorships

            JASON COOK

            Senior Member Services Manager


            Small Business Services

            VALERIE VARGAS

            Member Services Associate


            Member Celebrations

            TAMMY JENSEN

            Member Operations Manager


            OPERATIONS

            Image of Business Development Staff Member Carrie Gilchrist, Director of Business Development at the Tucson Metro Chamber

            CARISSA FAIRBANKS

            Director of Operations


              CYNTHIA BEVING

              Finance Manager


              DIANA CORTEZ

              Administrative Coordinator


              DAVID LONG

              Creative Manager