Meet The Team

As President/CEO, Susan is responsible for oversight of all Chamber activities, as well as developing and managing a comprehensive economic development program for the Gainesville, Florida MSA with specific focus on marketing, new business attraction, business retention and expansion and capital formation for early stage companies.

A seasoned executive and economic developer, Davenport has more than 15 years of experience recruiting companies in industries such as IT/Software, Biotechnology and others, to regions rich in the resources they need to thrive. Since joining the Gainesville Area Chamber as its Vice President of Economic Development in 2013, Davenport has been instrumental in attracting nearly 750 jobs and more than $400 million in capital investment to the region. Now as President/CEO, Davenport oversees the Chamber staff and serves as an officer on the organization’s Board of Directors.

In 2014, Davenport led an effort to develop a five-year economic development strategy, Transforming Greater Gainesville, and successfully led the Council for Economic Outreach in raising over $6 million in regional investment to launch and implement the strategy. The five-year plan is designed to transform the region into a global hub of talent, innovation and opportunity through four key strategies. Among Davenport’s many other achievements since joining the Gainesville Area Chamber are facilitating and executing more advocacy and communications efforts to bolster and demonstrate business community support for Envision Alachua and numerous other regional developments as well as the recent announcement of a pilot program distinguishing Gainesville as the first Florida city to partner with Uber to meet senior transportation needs.

Prior to coming to the Gainesville Area Chamber, Davenport was the Senior Vice President of Global Technology Strategies for the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce. While there, she served as a key team member for the Opportunity Austin strategy, which created over 174,000 new jobs and enhanced regional payrolls by $8.7 billion over an eight-year period from 2004-2012. During her tenure in Austin she developed and executed Austin’s regional business retention and expansion program, Portfolio Austin, where over 4,800 regional retention visits were undertaken with 520 regional expansions tracked. She also developed and managed the Central Texas Regional Center for Innovation and Commercialization, which resulted in assisting 34 companies in accessing $60 million in funding with an additional $30 million for local research and university projects. Susan also developed the Greater Austin Technology Partnership and Austin TechLive, which engaged over 100 regional technology executives in various economic development activities and supported entrepreneurism through a downtown co-working technology hub partner.

Davenport attended the University of Texas at Austin’s LBJ School of Public Affairs, where she earned a Master’s Degree in Public Affairs. She also graduated from the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma and is associated with the International Economic Development Council and the Association of the Chamber of Commerce Executives. Before developing an interest in economics, Davenport earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and practiced as a registered nurse for five years. Davenport was born in Texas and grew up in Tupelo, Miss.

Eric organizes the Chamber’s funds receivable, funds payable and accounts. He also verifies and logs details of any Chamber transactions. Eric maintains records of the Chamber’s financial information to apply towards quarterly, yearly and ad hoc reporting.

As Vice President of Membership, Tabetha is responsible for the Chamber’s successful retention, recruitment and engagement of members. She oversees all Chamber programs and initiatives that increase member engagement and add value to all member businesses. Tabetha works closely with other senior staff to align the organization’s strategic objectives across departments to ensure that the needs of Chamber members are met and the organizational business objectives are achieved.

As the Director of Membership, Steve promotes the Chamber throughout the community and assists businesses with joining the organization. He manages the Circle of Champions sponsorship group, the Diplomats committee and works with existing members to ensure they are benefiting fully through their membership. Steve also oversees Chamber After Hours, Connect ME, Ribbon Cuttings, Groundbreakings, and other membership-based events.

As the Business Liaison, Joe develops relationships with human resources directors and area businesses, discussing CareerSource NCFL services, encouraging them to post their job openings on Employ Florida Marketplace (EFM) and educating them about available employee training grants.

Joe also serves on the CareerSource NCFL Business Competitiveness Committee and is a member of the North Central Florida Society for Human Resource Management, the Business Leadership Network, Florida Employers Advisory Council (FEAC), the Peaceful Paths Domestic Abuse Network Board of Directors, LGAA, and advisory council for the Gainesville Police Department Brave Overt Leaders of Distinction (BOLD) program.

As the Information Specialist, Pauline refers calls to member businesses of the Chamber, manages the front desk and is responsible for updating membership information, assisting walk-ins, providing information about the area and many other clerical duties. She also assists at numerous events, processing payments and maintaining attendance reports.

As the Grassroots Engagement Manager, Vicki coordinates Chamber grassroots engagement initiatives. She provides administrative and logistical support for the Chamber Public Policy Committee and the Business Community Coalition (BCC). Vicki also monitors state/federal public policy developments and coordinates events for the Public Leadership Institute.

As Vice President of Talent & Education, Ian manages the Chamber’s education and talent alignment initiatives. He completed an Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives fellowship in Education Attainment and is overseeing the formation of the Alachua County Education Compact. He also oversees the Dual Career Network and Relocation Support Program, a comprehensive program that offers career, practical and emotional support to newly hired employees and their families.

Ian has more than 20 years experience in service leadership and management with a focus on business/client relations. Ian is a graduate of Leadership Gainesville class 32, and is a member of Leadership Gainesville Alumni Association (LGAA). He is the immediate past chair of Gainesville-Alachua County Regional Airport Authority, former member of the Small Business Council, director of East Gainesville Development Corporation, and former chair of AMIkids Gainesville.