The president and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey has been chosen as the new chairman of the board of the National Black Chamber of Commerce.

John Harmon, 53, who has been with the chamber since it was founded in 2001, was selected to serve as head of the national board.

He will be officially installed as the new chairman at a March 7 luncheon in Washington, D.C.

“John is so deserving of this honor,” said Harry Alford, president and CEO of the NBCC. “He has been very involved in our agenda for 15 years and knows the ins and outs of running a chamber of commerce. His leadership is valuable to us.”

Harmon, a Trenton resident who has been on the national board for about 12 years, said he is grateful for the opportunity to affect change for black business owners nationally as the new chairman.

“I am humbled by the appointment and I am looking forward to working with the national office and my colleagues across our federation to advance an agenda that will grow and sustain black businesses across American and the diaspora,” Harmon said.

Harmon said the new position will not take away from his current role as CEO of the New Jersey chamber, but will help AACCNJ to achieve its goals, because he will be working with other chambers across the country and will be able to determine what is working in different areas and might help businesses grow in New Jersey.

“I think it will strengthen my ability to advance the mission of what we are doing in New Jersey,” Harmon said.

Hosea Johnson, the chairman of the AACCNJ, said Harmon has been a tireless leader for the New Jersey business community and is sure to do the same on the national stage.

“His exceptional work ethic, high morals, character and integrity are a valuable asset to any organization,” Johnson said.