Barnett, senior vice president of Ascension Health, takes theleadership handoff Feb. 7 at the chamber's annual meeting fromcurrent chair Susan Dawson, president and co-founder of the AthensGroup. Burciaga, regional president of Wells Fargo Bank in Texaswill serve as chair-elect until the annual meeting in 2003. MarkHazelwood, the chamber's president and CEO, handles day-to-dayoperations.

"Never has the chamber been more important than right now, whenthe economy needs a boost," Barnett said in a statement. "We willhave a powerful program underway to expand and revitalize businessin our region, but we will also be working hard to develop our workforce, build our transportation network and sustain our quality oflife."

Barnett had been president and CEO of Seton Healthcare Networkand now heads the central and southern states operating group ofAscension Health, the nation's largest not-for-profit healthsystem. The 45,000-employee division includes health facilities inArkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Missouriand Texas.