Meet the 2022 Mobile Area Chamber Board Chair Matt White

Business View – March 2022 / Cover Story

Matt White believes in patient persistence. Initially elected to serve as 2021 Chairman of the Board for the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, White’s turn to lead the Chamber was postponed due to the COVID pandemic. Because of the challenges of this unprecedented season, Chair Terry Harbin was selected to extend his one-year term into a two-year term, being the first chair to hold consecutive years as the chair in more than 40 years.

“Terry did an excellent job navigating the Chamber through a time of uncertainty when the pandemic set in,” said White. “I appreciate his leadership and support over these past few difficult years, and I look forward to continuing to work with him as we move into 2022.”

As chairman, White will lead the Chamber through its strategic plan and plan of action and preside over Chamber events and activities. “Coupled with my belief in patient persistence, is the desire to discern God’s guidance in all that we do,” he said.

Coupled with my belief in patient persistence, is the desire to discern God’s guidance in all that we do.” 

Matt White President, White-Spunner Realty Inc. Mobile Area Chamber 2022 Board Chair

A graduate of Fairhope High School, White grew up in southwest Alabama and started working at age 14 on a sweet potato farm in Baldwin County. This experience led to the first of many valuable influences that built the work ethic that has carried him into current professional and volunteer roles. He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from The University of Alabama’s School of Business and worked as a Certified Public Accountant in Birmingham and Mobile before joining White-Spunner Realty Inc. He first served as vice president of operations before becoming president in 2004, of the Mobile-based commercial real estate firm in 1954.

The commercial real estate business has evolved with technology and other sophistication. It’s still a relationship business, and White likes to combine his love for people with some technical accounting skills.

White and his wife of 29 years, Tandy, have four children. White says his weekends include time with kids and their various activities. Additionally, he looks forward to the arrival of his first grandchild. He enjoys boating, fishing and occasionally duck hunting with family and friends.

I look forward to working with the talented team here at the Chamber to continue to facilitate the success of our local businesses in the Mobile area.” 

Matt White President, White-Spunner Realty Inc. Mobile Area Chamber 2022 Board Chair

Looking forward to managing his role as Chamber chairman, White says his goal is to put a spotlight on the Chamber employees who work behind the scenes. “Since leading the Mobile Chamber’s membership drive in 2009, I have stayed connected to the Chamber and its efforts in the community,” he said. “Over the years I have seen firsthand just how hard Chamber employees work, and I was always grateful for that support. I look forward to working with the talented team here at the Chamber to continue to facilitate the success of our local businesses in the Mobile area.”

Accepting the chairman role was an opportunity White said he could not pass up. “I wanted to be in a leadership role in this community and serving as the Chamber’s chairperson of the board was a no-brainer,” he said. “I want to be able to help the community and local businesses, and this is a wonderful way to serve them.”

White said he is grateful to former Mobile Chamber President Win Hallett for encouraging him to get involved with Chamber leadership and to its current Interim President and CEO Bob Chappelle for continuing to encourage his participation.

White is a graduate of the 2018 Leadership Alabama Class, a current board of advisors member of the Mobile Area Chamber, a current board member of The Thomas Hospital Foundation Board, and an advisory board member for Renasant Bank. He is also a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers.

I wanted to be in a leadership role in this community and serving as the Chamber’s chairperson of the board was a no-brainer.

I want to be able to help the community and local businesses, and this is a wonderful way to serve them.”

Matt White President, White-Spunner Realty Inc. Mobile Area Chamber 2022 Board Chair

White says he looks forward to being a mentor himself someday and sharing his working knowledge with others and to hopefully help them prosper. “I want to use what I’ve learned over the years to help someone else,” White said.

Click here to read the Business View – March 2022

Additional information is on the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce’s website at mobilechamber.com, on Facebook at @MobileChamber, Instagram at @mobile-area-chamber and Twitter at @MobileChamber.