The Prince William Chamber of Commerce announced new leadership at its annual meeting on June 4, with Kristi Black named President and Chief Executive Officer and Steve Danziger elected as incoming Chair of the Board of Directors, effective July 1. Danziger emphasized a desire for stability, stating a clear goal of a “drama-free” year following more than 18 months of internal upheaval that drew public attention.
The appointments come after a turbulent period for the organization. In September 2025, Jinnae Monroe, the first Black woman appointed as Board Chair, resigned shortly after her historic selection amid reported pressure from then-CEO Robert “Bob” Sweeney. Sweeney departed in early 2026. Potomac Local News previously reported on concerns regarding workplace culture and leadership transitions during that time.
Black, who has served as Interim CEO since February 2026, officially steps into the top executive role. She joined the Chamber in January 2026 as Director of Government Affairs after serving as District Director for then-U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, now Virginia Governor.
“It has been an honor to serve as Interim CEO, and I am grateful for the confidence the Board has placed in me,” Black said. “I look forward to working alongside Steve Danziger, Chamber members, and community partners.”
Outgoing Chair Ross Snare expressed support. “The Board of Directors has tremendous confidence in Kristi’s vision [and] leadership,” Snare said, citing her ability to build partnerships and navigate challenges. Board member Carlos Castro of Todos Supermarket praised Black’s steady hand during the transition, while Neabsco District Supervisor Victor Angry called her a collaborative leader and personal friend.
Danziger, Director of Quality for BAE Systems Space Systems and Site Executive in Manassas, brings extensive private-sector experience to his first term as Chair. With approximately 25 years at BAE Systems and prior roles at IBM and Lockheed Martin, he oversees quality and efficiency across U.S. Space Systems sites. His team has supported critical NASA projects, including computing technology for the James Webb Space Telescope and Mars rovers. He holds a B.S. in Physics from Queens College (CUNY) and an M.S. in Physics from Penn State. He and his wife are parents of 11-year-old twin boys.
In remarks at the annual meeting, Danziger signaled a forward-looking approach. “Not having any drama. And you understand. I’ve covered all the drama,” he said. “We need to reinvigorate ourselves… It’s a sterling reputation. But we have to keep our brand growing.”
Danziger pledged to support Black, saying, “Christy’s great, and I want to help her get her feet on the ground.” His priorities include stronger focus on small and midsize businesses, potentially through member surveys to identify needs. He also plans to expand the Chamber’s intern program and pursue mentorship matchmaking between retired executives and startups.
“We’ve done so many good things,” Danziger said. “Nobody’s good by themselves. So together, we can lobby government… for things that are important to the business.”
Local leaders and board members welcomed the new team, highlighting opportunities for renewed energy and advocacy at the local and state levels.
