About GC Houston

GC HOUSTON ABOUT ADVISORY BOARD COMMITTEES VOLUNTEER/VOLUNTERN

Global Chamber® Houston

Global Chamber® Houston facilitates business activities across metropolitan areas, empowering members to achieve their goals. As part of a dynamic and collaborative community, we connect leaders across 525 metropolitan regions. Leveraging cutting-edge technology and our extensive global networks, we assist member companies in expanding, mitigating risk, enhancing productivity, and accelerating success. Notably, we are unique in our mission to foster business growth globally, transcending geographical boundaries. Our support extends to companies, investors, and executives, enabling them to thrive in diverse metro environments.

For inquiries or to connect with Global Chamber® Houston, reach out to our team, including Executive Director Christopher Herring and Board Chairman Ed Pope, at IAH@globalchamber.org. Stay updated by following us on social media and subscribing to our newsletter.

Christopher C. Herring, Executive Director

Christopher Herring is the Executive Director for Global Chamber® Austin, Houston and San Antonio. He is a decorated combat veteran of the United States Air Force serving his nation as a commissioned officer for over 20 years. He was inspired by the late Ronald H. Brown, former US Secretary of Commerce, who he escorted on business trips to Los Angeles, to become a future chamber leader, business owner, and ultimately a facilitator of opportunity.

Mr. Herring served Houston as the twice elected Chairman of the Texas Association of African American Chambers of Commerce (TAAACC) ending in 2019. He advocated for over 250,000 businesses and 23 chambers of commerce in the nation's second largest economy with the ultimate goal to help his business members increase overall revenues and sales.

During his 20-year United States Air Force career, Mr. Herring was certified as a Workforce Diversity Trainer through the Society of Human Resource Management. Between 2011-2019, Christopher has served three mayors as the Mayor of San Antonio's appointee to the Small Business Advocacy Committee (SBAC) overseeing the Small Business Economic Development Advocacy (SBEDA) Program subcontracting goals. He was elected as the Chairman of the SBAC's 5-Yr Contracting Diversity Plan Accountability Subcommittee. Lastly, as a City Official, and Chairman of the SBAC, Herring helped his city earn the "Best Small Business Program" in the United States by the International Economic Development Foundation in 2019.

Entrepreneurship is a key ingredient of this leader. He is President and CEO of River Walk Publishing, LLC. in San Antonio, Texas. He is the founder of Future CEO of America, an initiative to help spur financial literacy among primarily minority youth. Mr. Herring served on the Board of Directors of San Antonio Council of International Visitors (SACIV) as board secretary, and Texas Committee of the US Global Leadership Coalition (UGLC). He is a member of the International Executive Advisory Committee of the Alamo Colleges District.

Over two-year period with University of Texas Austin, Mr. Herring sponsored 50 African business leaders, from 35 different nations to San Antonio showcasing an international city made up of Rackspace, NBA's San Antonio Spurs, Brooks City Base, Morgan's Wonderland, Geekdome, Alamo Colleges District, Bexar County and the City of San Antonio.

Reach out to see how we can help at SAT@globalchamber.org

Shanii Renay, Membership Director

Shanii Renay is successful businesswoman, entrepreneur and career artist. She began her career as an artist many years ago designing websites, logos, and graphics. After developing over 500 sites, she decided to put her creativity to use in different ways. Starting with digital creations, Shanii began to learn other mediums such as acrylic, oil, watercolor, alcohol inks, and mixed medias. Her first art shows were group exhibits in the Houston area. From there Shanii was fortunate enough to exhibit some of her works in France, Spain, and Italy. Shanii was also featured as a local artist in the Houston Chronicle and had a guest spot on the Morning Show with Debra Duncan. After being represented by a fine art gallery for two years, Shanii decided to go on her own and try new things. After taking a few years off from painting, she decided it was time to rekindle her passion for art and creating. Her site - www.shaniirenay.com you'll find many different styles she used over the years, including abstract, folk art, modern art, and minimalist sketches. Houston’s annual Art Crawl in 2013 was her first group exhibit. In less than a year her career as an artist quickly progressed and she was soon invited to well-known art shows and group exhibits in the Houston area as well as Austin and San Antonio. In 2014 Renay was featured in the Houston Chronicle and on Great Day Houston documenting her work as a local artist. Since then, she has shown internationally, including metros such as Madrid, Rome, Paris and Tuscany.

“A single piece will contain more than one world, surreal juxtapositions and dreamlike scenes that tease the imagination.” – Houston Chronicle