Chamber
Picks New Leader, Scales Down Political Role |
By Lookout Staff
October 26 -- Laurel Rosen -- a marketing specialist who
has worked to boost tourism -- will be the Santa Monica Chamber
of Commerce’s new president and CEO after the board voted
to hire her Thursday.
Citing a “substantially improved working relationship” with City
Hall, the board also voted to reverse its four-year old policy of endorsing
candidates for City Council, School Board and College Board.
Rosen, who was director of sales and marketing for The Lobster restaurant for
eight years, will take the helm on November 5. She will replace Jim Lynch, who
resigned from the top post nearly two months ago.
“The Chamber is extremely fortunate to have someone of Laurel’s
character, talent and experience to serve in this crucially important position,
and we are all very excited about the future under her leadership,” said
Tom Larmore, the chamber’s chairman.
“Her active involvement in all aspects of the community will enable her
to provide outstanding leadership,” Larmore said.
City officials praised the choice, which came shortly after the chamber launched
a search for a new leader.
“I believe the Chamber has made an excellent choice and I look forward
to working with Laurel and the Chamber on matters of mutual concern,”
said City Manager Lamont Ewell.
Rosen, who has served as catering director and food and beverage director for
hotels and restaurants and ran her own catering business, has been in charge
of the chamber’s “Taste of Santa Monica” since it was launched
seven years ago.
Rosen also has served on the chamber’s board of directors and on its
executive and homeless committees.
In addition, she has served on the board of the Convention and Visitor’s
Bureau, where she currently chairs the “I Know Santa Monica” branding
committee and represents Santa Monica around the world as a part of “Team
Santa Monica” to encourage tourism.
“While I enjoyed my work at The Lobster and all of the people there,
I was ready for a new challenge and this position seemed ideal because it combines
my experience in marketing and event planning with an opportunity to expand
my involvement in the community,” Rosen said in a statement issued Thursday.
“My work in the local business arena, combined with active participation
with various non-profits, will, I believe, give me a solid foundation for leading
the Chamber with its almost 1,000 members, including many non-profit organizations.”
Rosen has been active with local non-profits, serving as chair of the Ocean
Park Community Center’s Turning Point program, serving on the board of
the annual Bowl-a-thon to raise funds for homeless services and sponsoring activities
for other organizations such as the Police Activities League, chamber officials
said.
Rosen’s hiring marks a new era for the chamber, which had delved into
the political arena after its relationship with the City became strained.
Although the chamber will no longer endorse candidates, it will continue to
take positions on issues that affect the business community, Larmore said.
“Given the substantially improved working relationship between the Chamber
and City Hall, we believe that endorsing candidates is not a good
use of valuable volunteer time and effort and is potentially counter-productive
in terms of promoting the Chamber’s mission,” Larmore
said.
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