SACRAMENTO, Calif. – This month, Sacramento Metro Chamber President & CEO Robert Heidt marks an impressive milestone – 25 years of service in the chamber industry. After a long and distinguished career serving chambers across the country, Heidt joined the Sacramento Metro Chamber in January 2024.

Heidt’s background includes serving in the U.S. Air Force and working in several casino marketing roles in Las Vegas before switching his focus to the chamber industry. In March 2001, he began his chamber career as Director of Member Services & Community Relations for the Las Vegas (NV) Chamber. He later served as Chief Operating Officer/SVP for the Austin (TX) Chamber, followed by his first top leadership role as President & CEO with the Cape Ann Chamber in Gloucester (MA). He then moved to the southwest where he served as President & CEO for the Glendale Chamber (AZ), before relocating to Sacramento to serve as President & CEO of the Sacramento Metro Chamber.

Heidt was chosen for his leadership role in the Capital City in part based on his proven track record of enhancing organizational culture, developing genuine community relationships, designing services that add value to membership, plus his ability to successfully create and sustain momentum for a chamber organization.

In just two years leading the Sacramento Metro Chamber, he has made significant contributions to the organization, just a few of which include the following:

• Passage of Proposition 36: Under Heidt’s leadership and with key partners such as Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho and Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen, the Metro Chamber fully supported and was the primary convener that ultimately led to the successful passage of Proposition 36 (December 2024) to help address the rising issue of retail theft facing the region’s business community.   
• Acquisition of Sacramento Speakers Series: A project in the works that started soon after his arrival in Sacramento, Heidt led the effort for the Sacramento Metro Chamber Foundation to acquire the Sacramento Speakers Series in September 2025. The Sacramento Speakers Series is the latest signature initiative added to the Chamber’s hugely successful programs that also include the Annual Dinner & Business Awards, Capitol-to-Capitol, and Study Mission.
• More than Doubled Membership: In the span of two short years and after considerable time, attention, and team focus, Sacramento Metro Chamber membership has more than doubled and is now approaching 2,000 members.

Many other individuals and/or former colleagues have been following his career journey and share these thoughts:

Darrell Teat, At Large Executive Committee Member of the Sacramento Metro Chamber Board of Directors, who helped lead the nationwide search for a permanent replacement in late 2023, shared why Robert was and remains a perfect fit for Sacramento: “Robert was selected to lead the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce because he is an undeniably effective leader and a respected Chamber industry expert. He brings a collaborative, relationship-centric approach to business and is committed to supporting the advancement of businesses of all sizes across the Greater Sacramento Region. His focus on adding value to the ecosystem that supports our business community, paired with a clear vision for strengthening opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses, positions our region to not just survive, but thrive.”

Dave Roughton, who was Interim CEO for the Sacramento Metro Chamber just before Heidt joined the Chamber, shares these thoughts: "From the very beginning, it was clear Robert's greatest strength was his ability to build meaningful and productive relationships. On day one, he demonstrated a natural talent for connecting with people - whether colleagues, members, or partners - in a way that was both genuine and strategic. He listens actively, understands what others value, and creates an atmosphere of trust that makes people want to collaborate with him."