Prince William Chamber names interim CEO

The Prince William Chamber of Commerce has appointed Kristi Black, a former congressional aide to Gov. Abigail Spanberger, as its interim CEO while the organization searches for a permanent successor.

Black joined the chamber in January as director of government affairs, and the chamber announced Black’s appointment as interim CEO on Feb. 27.

She succeeds former CEO Bob Sweeney, who stepped down from the position on Jan. 31 after more than three years to “pursue a new professional opportunity.” Sweeney is listed as a managing partner at advisory firm PPR Global on the company’s website, and his LinkedIn profile said he took on the position in January.

Black will serve in the interim CEO role while the board searches for a permanent CEO. While the chamber doesn’t have a specific timeframe for the search, a spokesperson said it expects the search to last several months.

“Kristi’s appointment reflects the board’s commitment to ensuring stability and strong leadership during this transition,” said Prince William Chamber Board of Directors Chair Ross Snare in a statement. “She brings a wealth of experience, trusted relationships across the region and a deep understanding of the chamber’s mission. We are confident in her ability to guide the organization, strengthen strategic partnerships and continue advancing policies and programs that support our members and the broader business community.”

Before joining the chamber, Black was the district director for Spanberger while she served in Congress. According to the chamber, in that role, Black advanced initiatives designed to support economic growth, constituent services and community partnerships throughout the region. She was the owner and operator of a small bakery in Bristow before working for Spanberger.

Black has lived in Prince William County since 2014.

“I am honored to step into this role and support the chamber at such a pivotal time,” Black said in a statement. “The Prince William chamber plays a critical role in advocating for and strengthening our business community. I look forward to working closely with the board, staff, members and community partners to build on the strong foundation already in place and to position the chamber for continued success.”

Founded in 2010, the chamber is a nonprofit that supports and advances the business communities of Prince William County and Manassas. It represents 1,300 members and nearly 125,000 employees.