Charlotte Business Alliance picks former Bank of America executive as interim CEO

Andrea Smith , a former executive for Bank of America , is joining the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance as interim CEO, the organization announced on Friday.

The businesswoman with more than 30 years of service at the Charlotte-based bank was appointed to the position by alliance board members. Smith will replace Janet LaBar, who announced her unexpected resignation in April .

In a news release from the alliance, Smith said she is proud to support the alliance and the board as the organization works to grow the economy and advocate for businesses.

Smith held several leadership positions with Bank of America before she retired as chief administrative officer in 2021. She was head of global human resources before her last role with the bank, which started in 2015.

In 2017, she also chaired the executive committee for the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, one of the predecessors of the alliance.

The alliance also recognized Smith’s accolades and leadership positions.

Smith was recognized as one of the most powerful women in banking by American Banker for several years and Business North Carolina named her one of the most influential business leaders in the state. She was also recognized by Queens University as Charlotte Business Woman of the Year in 2017.

The alliance also appointed Thaddeus Jones, founder of Nexus Search Partners, to conduct a search for the next full-time president and CEO.

The organization advocates for business in Charlotte’s 14-county region. It was formed in 2018 through a union with the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce and the Charlotte Regional Partnership.