Meet the CEO

Executive Office

Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

Henry L. Ravenel, Jr.

Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Southeastern Chamber of Commerce

Henry L. Ravenel, Jr. is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Southeastern Chamber of Commerce, a modern, for-profit chamber model built around regional connectivity, hyper-local engagement, business development, tourism strategy, and executive-level access.

In 2005, after studying Psychology and Government & Foreign Affairs at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, Ravenel returned to the Carolinas to pursue his vision for leadership, business advancement, and regional impact. That same year, he was installed as Chief Executive Officer of a Charleston-based networking association by former U.S. Majority Whip James Clyburn, marking the beginning of a leadership journey that would later evolve into one of the Southeast’s most unconventional chamber growth models.

After six years of operating the alliance as a membership-based networking organization, Ravenel formally amended the name to the Southeastern Chamber of Commerce, creating a broader platform for regional economic development, business connectivity, and market expansion.

Today, Ravenel leads the Southeastern Chamber through a lens of new-millennium success, structure, innovation, and measurable regional impact. He oversees the organization’s strategic direction, public policy positioning, business development initiatives, division expansion, and long-term growth agenda.

A defining element of Ravenel’s leadership has been his commitment to building what the organization describes as a millennial powerhouse, a chamber model designed to move beyond traditional networking and advocacy. Under his leadership, the Chamber has become an active business engine focused on access to capital, strategic partnerships, market visibility, tourism development, government connectivity, and executive-level opportunity.

Prior to leading the Chamber, Ravenel served as a manager with Veolia, an international transit company, and held leadership roles with Kiawah Development Partners, Inc., which oversaw global projects including Doonbeg Golf Club in Ireland and Christophe Harbour in St. Kitts, West Indies. He is also the owner of Henry’s Transmission & Roadside Assistance, Inc., based in Ravenel, South Carolina, and serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Market Street Gentlemen Society, a private wealth society based in Charleston.

Ravenel’s leadership foundation includes military and academic leadership roles during his time at Camden Military Academy, where he served in multiple positions including class president and battalion adjutant. As part of his current responsibilities, he also serves as Executive Board Chairman to the Chamber’s Board of Governors and has led initiatives focused on civic engagement, political education, entrepreneurship, and leadership development.

Under Ravenel’s direction, the Southeastern Chamber has expanded into a multi-market, multi-regional, and international ecosystem built on a scalable model of divisions and affiliated chambers designed to deliver both regional strength and localized impact.

In 2016, Ravenel launched Atlanta At The Top, the Chamber’s flagship metropolitan division, establishing a presence in one of the Southeast’s most competitive business environments and creating a multi-county platform for business growth, culture, and collaboration across the Atlanta region.

In 2017, he expanded the Chamber’s local chamber development model through the launch of the Nexton Area Chamber of Commerce, created to serve the growing Summerville-Nexton corridor, including Nexton, Carnes Crossroads, Cane Bay, Sangaree, and surrounding communities. That same year, he also founded the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce in Ravenel, South Carolina, serving the Hollywood, Ravenel, and Meggett communities with a focus on rural business engagement, small-town economic development, and local connectivity.

In 2018, Ravenel further expanded the Chamber’s footprint with the development of the DMV Regional Chamber of Commerce, extending the organization into Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, one of the most influential economic and policy corridors in the United States. That same year, he oversaw the creation of the West Ashley Area Chamber, reinforcing the Chamber’s commitment to hyper-local engagement in the Charleston headquarters market while maintaining broader regional connectivity.

Continuing this expansion strategy, Ravenel led the development of newer market-driven divisions including the Mableton Chamber of Commerce in West Atlanta, Georgia, and the Birmingham Metro Chamber of Commerce in Alabama. The Birmingham division, formally established in 2025, represents the Chamber’s next phase of civic-business alignment and regional innovation, with the City of Birmingham becoming one of the foundational members of the initiative.

Further expanding his impact in economic development and destination strategy, Ravenel founded Destination North Charleston in 2025, a tourism-focused affiliate initiative designed to enhance visitor engagement, elevate business visibility, and support economic activity within one of South Carolina’s fastest-growing cities.

In 2022, Ravenel led the Chamber’s international footprint to begin expansion into Lagos, Nigeria, establishing the Chamber’s Lagos Division to strengthen U.S, Africa business relationships, expand global business access, and position Lagos as a high-growth market for commerce, tourism, and investment. Through this initiative, the Chamber has worked to create a structured bridge between American business leaders and one of Africa’s most dynamic economic centers, officially establishing its Charter in 2026.

Ravenel’s leadership is grounded in building high-impact micro-ecosystems that move beyond traditional chamber functions to deliver real-world results. His work focuses on creating platforms where businesses gain access to opportunities, communities benefit from economic activation, and regions become more competitive in both national and global markets.

In recognition of his leadership and impact, Ravenel has been named a 2014 Trident Black Pages 40 Under 40, 2022 Charleston Regional Business Journal 40 Under 40 recipient and a 2025 South Carolina Biz News Top 500 Most Influential Leader in the State.

Through his continued expansion efforts, Henry L. Ravenel, Jr. is redefining the role of a Chamber of Commerce, positioning the Southeastern Chamber as a non-traditional regional powerhouse and international connector for business growth, tourism advancement, and economic opportunity.

Henry is happily married to M. Dunice Ravenel, a Human Resources Chief with the Federal Government/U.S. Department of State.

Phone: 843.263.3000
Email: ceo@southeasternchamber.org