Former WyoTech President Jorge Gutierrez Named President of Flagler Chamber of Commerce

The Flagler County Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors announced Monday that Jorge Gutierrez would be joining the organization as its new president and chief executive officer effective Wednesday (Aug. 23). Gutierrez replaces Rebecca DeLorenzo, who had served as the Chamber’s president until February 2017 when she accepted a position with the American Red Cross.

Gutierrez has not led a chamber of commerce before. But according to Board Chairman Jimmy Millhollin of RE/Max Flagstaff, Gutierrez’s experience in sales, finance, business strategy and manufacturing were particularly appealing to the search committee responsible for identifying and ultimately hiring a new president.

“Jorge has the both the business and leadership experience to make a positive and immediate impact on this organization and its members,” Millhollin was quoted as saying in a chamber release issued Monday. “We are fortunate to have him joining the Chamber and look forward to his energy and new ideas.”

The chamber is eager to increase its membership, which has been stagnating around the 750 to 780 mark for years, while also improving its revenue after it was forced to pull back to meet expenses by, among other things, selling the building it occupies. It now leases it.

An Ormond Beach resident and native of Cuba, Gutierrez has more than 20 years of diversified experience in the areas of sales, manufacturing and financial diligence, and market/business strategy. Most recently, he was the Regional Vice President of Operations for Concorde Career Colleges, where he oversaw four colleges in the Allied Health Industry. Prior to joining Concorde, Gutierrez was president of WyoTech, where he was responsible for growing enrollments, student population, and exceeding student outcomes, and Universal Technical Institute, a publicly traded company providing advanced technical training in the automotive, light diesel and truck industry. His previous experience includes executive level positions for International Paper, Tyco Corporation, and Vanity Fair Corporation outside of the United States.

“It has certainly been an exciting journey during the entire selection process,” said Gutierrez. “I had the pleasure of meeting many of the county’s leaders and was impressed with their level of professionalism and passion for the community. I am thrilled the selection committee chose me to be the Chamber’s next CEO/President. I look forward to working with the Board of Directors and the Chamber staff in fulfilling the organization’s mission/vision. We have many opportunities and challenges facing Flagler County, and the Flagler County Chamber will be a valuable partner in helping and supporting local businesses.”

Gutierrez earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Northeastern University, a Master in Applied Management and Industry from Lesley University, and a Master in Business Administration in Finance and Marketing from J.L Kellogg School of Management.

An active member of the Chapel in Ormond Beach, he is also a member of Miami CEO Club, and is Lean Six Sigma Black and Green Belt Certified. Jorge has been happily married to Marisa Gutierrez for 16 years, and has three children.