Chamber of Commerce Names Interim President

Taylor will begin duties on July 16, and will manage the Chamber’s operations and staff.

In addition to her recent experience assisting chambers of commerce with leadership transitions, Taylor has led numerous chambers of commerce for more than 26 years. She started as President and CEO of the Pico Rivera Chamber of Commerce from 1982 to 1989. She held the same post with both the Burbank Chamber of Commerce (1989 – 1996), and the Ventura Chamber of Commerce (1996 – 2009). This year, Taylor was awarded the “Lifetime Member of the Western Association of Chamber Executives,” and from 2006 to 2009 she was recognized by the Pacific Coast Business Times as one of their “Top Fifty Business Leaders.”

“The Board is pleased to welcome Zoe Taylor to the Santa Barbara Chamber team, and we’re looking forward to her experienced leadership for the next 6 months as the board develops a strategic plan for the future,” said Janet Garufis, Chair of the Santa Barbara Region Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. “Our goal is to ensure the Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce continues to be the very best resource for local businesses to grow and thrive, and we’re looking to the community for feedback and support in this endeavor.”

Along with managing the daily operations of the Chamber, Taylor will be evaluating and enhancing programs and events to best serve members, and ensuring organizational structure and procedures are in place. She will also assist the Board of Directors with strategic planning, surveying opinions from the membership and community partners, and recruiting a full time President & CEO to lead the Chamber into the future.

The community is invited to meet Zoe Taylor at a Chamber Mixer hosted by the Chamber Ambassadors on Monday, July 30 from 5pm – 7pm at the Chamber offices located at 21 East Carillo Street in the Courtyard. The Chamber will also be celebrating their STAR award winners for the second quarter. A brief program will begin at 6pm. Please call 965-3023 to RSVP.

The Santa Barbara Region Chamber of Commerce is a California non-profit corporation. Located at 924 Anacapa Street, in the Historical Lobero Building. The organization was founded in 1878 and incorporated in 1899. The Chamber’s mission is to foster a vibrant economy and improve the quality of life for all who live and work in the region. The Santa Barbara Chamber is the oldest and largest business organization in the Tri-County Region. For more information, please call 805-965-3023