In late March, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau in South Carolina announced its new president and CEO, Matthew “Matt” Pivarnik. Pivarnik’s appointment comes after a comprehensive, community-driven search for the organization’s new leader.
Pivarnik’s leadership experiences spans some 30 years—most recently, he served as CEO of the Greater Topeka Partnership in Kansas, where he oversaw operations of the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce, Visit Topeka, Go Topeka, and Downtown Topeka Inc., among others. Prior to his time in Topeka, Pivarnik was the executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Tulsa Regional Chamber in Oklahoma and played a key role in the organization’s achievements, including its being named the “Best Chamber in the Nation” three times by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.
“I’m honored to join the team at the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber and bring my experience to this thriving community,” Pivarnik says in a prepared statement. “The Grand Strand is a dynamic, world-class place to live and visit, and this is an exciting time in its evolution. I look forward to working alongside the community to build on the region’s strengths and further enhance the exceptional quality of life it provides.”
The 10-person executive search committee tasked with finding the organization’s next president and CEO included many notable leaders, including Mike Hagg, retired CEO of HTC Inc. based in Conway, South Carolina. “With more than 150 accomplished business leaders from across the country and locally expressing interest in the position, the search process was rigorous,” Hagg says. “While several stood out, Matt’s experience as a strategic visionary and his passion for community made him the clear choice to drive positive impact for our entire region.”
Pivarnik plans to officially take the lead at the chamber in May. Until then, interim president and CEO Tracy Conner will continue to serve.
