Bret L. Strong, the managing shareholder of The Strong Firm P.C., has been named Chairman of the South Montgomery County Woodlands Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors for its 2008-2009 fiscal year! He is currently The Chamber’s Vice President of Legendary Leadership.

Bret said, “I am blessed and honored to be chosen to serve The Chamber and its members as their Chairman. Having been involved with the organization for more than a dozen years, I have seen The Chamber grow with the business community of The Woodlands. As our community has developed-- not only as a wonderful place to raise a family, but also as a commercial center--The Chamber has developed into the catalyst for such growth, supporting local businesses, their owners, and employees. I look forward to working with the Board, Karen Hoylman and her staff, and the business community, continuing to develop our Chamber, and supporting our business community. As a local small business owner, I see no better way to give of my time and energy. I look forward to a great year.”

Bret has been a resident and an active community leader in The Woodlands for nearly two decades. He received his J.D. cum laude from the South Texas College of Law after earning his bachelor's degree in Business Finance from the University of Colorado – Boulder. He spent 11 years with Shell Oil Company in areas of contracting, finance, and information services prior to becoming licensed in the legal field and establishing his practice in The Woodlands. Bret and his firm represent local and regional businesses and organizations in the areas of general corporate law and partnership matters, commercial transactions, oil and gas law, and commercial real estate.

An active community leader, Bret is a 2005 graduate of Leadership Montgomery County. He served as a member of the Transition Team that provided community leadership and direction for the future governance of The Woodlands; he represents the Community Associations of The Woodlands in the transition related to the governance of The Woodlands.

Bret is a past Chairman of the Board of the South Montgomery County YMCA where he has been a board member since 1996, and he has served several years as the Chairman for the YMCA Partners fundraiser. He is also a board member of United Way of Montgomery County and served on its board selection committee.

He served as a member of the 2004 and 2007 Conroe ISD Facilities and Bond Planning Committee and Parents Advocating Sound Schools (PASS) committee in support of the 2004 and 2008 CISD bond referendums. He is an active member of Lone Star Multisport Club, Woodlands Masters Swim Club, and Woodlands Running Club. He is a two-time Ironman Triathlon finisher.

Bret is licensed by the State Bar of Texas and is a member of the Business Law, Corporate Counsel and Oil, and the Gas & Energy Resources Law sections of the State Bar. He is a member of The Woodlands Bar Association and the Montgomery County Bar Association. He has published several articles in the Houston Business Journal, The Villager, and The Courier about various legal and business-related topics.

Be sure to congratulate Bret when you see him!

Contact: Kay Hohman, The Chamber’s Vice President of Communications, Legislative & Economic Outlook - 281-363-8104