The JAX Chamber unanimously selected Abel Harding to be the organization’s chair-elect for 2026.
Harding will work with 2026 Chair Misty Skipper, chief strategy officer at Gate Petroleum Co., and JAX Chamber President and CEO Daniel Davis to shape strategic priorities and enhance member value at the chamber and its affiliated programs.
“Abel exemplifies the kind of engaged, action-driven leadership that reflects the Chamber’s values and vision,” Skipper said in a Sept. 22 news release.
“His deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing businesses of all sizes makes him a powerful advocate for our members and a dynamic leader for our community.”
“Abel is a respected leader in Jacksonville’s business community. His focus on entrepreneurship, talent development, and growth fits with our mission and will benefit our members and the region,” Davis said in the release.
Harding is a financial adviser and area manager for Pinnacle Financial Partners and has been a member of the JAX Chamber board of directors for several years.
He is a past chair of JAXUSA Partnership, the economic development arm of the chamber, as well as the past chair of JaxBiz, the chamber’s nonpartisan political committee.
“I am honored to serve as Chair-Elect and to support the Chamber’s efforts to make Jacksonville the best place to start and grow a business,” Harding said in the release.
“We have tremendous momentum — from downtown investment and talent development to innovation and targeted industry growth — and I look forward to working with our members to continue this progress.”
In addition to his involvement with the chamber, Harding has held other leadership positions in the community, including roles with Leadership Jacksonville, The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority and the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville.