SETX YPO Breakfast With The Boss - 09/13/2022

Description

Steve Ahlenius, President/CEO, Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce
 
Steve Ahlenius has recently accepted the position as President and CEO of the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce. He has an undergraduate degree in History and Political Science from Wayland Baptist University. 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 (IEDC). He is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma.
 
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 (TCCE) 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 served as TCCE Chairman in 2021, and the Texas Association of Business (Executive Committee).
 
Steve has led the way in developing 17 different innovation and start-up programs and has helped launch over 200 start-ups.  He renovated an old church in the downtown area into an event center and transformed a 60,000 square foot space, which was an old library, into a creative incubator, tech space and co-working space.  Steve established the first-ever food truck park in South Texas, He has led numerous business retention and development programs and community development programs throughout his career.  Steve led efforts that were recognized for creating an “eco-system” and a business model for innovation and inclusion for women-led micro-businesses by IEDC. 
 
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.  He formerly served on the Board of Trustees of Wayland Baptist University and received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2013. In addition, he has served twice as Chairman for the United Way of South Texas and as Chairman of Rio South Texas Economic Development Council. 
 
Steve came to Beaumont because of the unprecedented growth and opportunities for the city and region. Steve is married to Jeanette and has three grown children and seven grandchildren.





Rebekah Maxwell
Lamar University and ReStep Marketing
 
Born and raised in Beaumont Texas, Rebekah Maxwell attended and was an active student at Lamar University, majoring in business.  After graduating Summa Cum Laude, she continued her education by pursuing a Masters degree in International Marketing at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland.  During her time abroad she developed relationships with marketing professionals from all over the world and worked on several projects for Scottish companies.  One of which was a team effort to develop a brand and marketing strategy for a new energy drink, Super!Natural.  The drink has since launched in the UK with a strong social media marketing strategy.  Maxwell continued her enthusiasm for social media by starting her own consulting business, ReStep Marketing, in 2013.  She works with businesses and nonprofit organizations to build a positive social media presence.  While continuing her business, Maxwell also started working at Lamar University in 2015 as the Reaud Honors College Coordinator.  In May 2019, she was offered and accepted the position of Direct of Scholarships working with a new team.  In this role, she is able to work with students, staff, and faculty across campus.  Maxwell keeps busy between her work at Lamar and her own business.  She remains highly involved in organizations such as the Rotary Club of Beaumont, the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Beaumont, NCHC Partners in the Parks, Phi Kappa Phi, and Southeast Texas Young Professionals.  She prioritizes volunteer opportunities because she enjoys serving others on local and international levels. When she isn’t in a meeting, Maxwell enjoys attending community events and festivals with her family and friends. 
 

SETX YPO is an organization of young professionals between the ages of 21 and 40, living in Hardin, Jefferson, and Orange Counties, interested in making a difference in their community and networking with other young professionals with similar interests.