Federal Way Chamber of Commerce CEO Tom Pierson was recognized as an Accredited Chamber Executive (ACE) by the Western Association of Chamber Executives.

The designation is awarded only to those chamber executives who meet stringent criteria set by the association’s board of directors.

“The State of Washington needs strong business representatives. Tom Pierson is becoming one of the voices for all businesses not only in Federal Way but throughout the state,” said Ken Oplinger, president and CEO of Bellingham Whatcom Chamber of Commerce. Oplinger is the only other person in Washington state to have the ACE designation, and recommended Pierson for this designation, according to a news release.

Pierson was one of seven chamber of commerce executives awarded accreditation this year at the association’s annual conference in Las Vegas.

“This just highlights the hard work we have done in Federal Way and the South Sound region and shows that there is a new breed of chambers and chamber executives growing in this state, giving all businesses a voice, assets and resources in today’s economy,” Pierson said in a news release.