Former Belmont Mayor Named CEO of Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce

The announced Thursday it has named its new CEO and president.

Though the man they chose is new to the job, he's certainly no stranger to the public eye - he is Paul Wright, the former mayor of Belmont.

Wright has been serving as the Chamber's CEO and president on an interim basis since October, after . On Thursday, his title was made official.

“We are thrilled that Paul has accepted this position," Palo Alto Chamber Board Chairman Dan Dykwel said. "His background in the Chamber industry, along with his familiarity with the Palo Alto business community, makes him the perfect choice for the job. He possesses exceptional organizational and leadership skills."

Wright has more than 20 years of experience with Bay Area chambers of commerce, including serving as deputy executive director of the San Francisco Chamber and CEO of the Santa Rosa Chamber.

“Palo Alto is a dynamic community, and it deserves a dynamic Chamber of Commerce," Wright said upon being named as the new CEO. "I look forward to taking the Chamber in new directions."

Wright said his top priority for 2012 will be to understand and deliver what the Chamber members want.

“We need to reinvent ourselves so that we can ultimately provide our members with maximum value," he explained. "Specifically, we’re going to kick off a number of focus groups next month to learn about the current challenges of Palo Alto businesses. We then will refine our programs and services to tailor their needs.”

Wright’s broad experience also includes other Chamber associations – including
his position as president of the California Association of Chamber of Commerce
Executives, as director of the California Chamber of Commerce, and as regent for the Institute for Organizational Management, of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The mission of the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce - which just celebrated its 100th anniversary last year - is "to promote and maintain the community’s continued economic vitality and quality of life by creating and supporting a positive environment for business, articulating business concerns and encouraging cooperation among Palo Alto businesses, the city government, residents and other key constituencies."

For more information, call the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce at 650-324-3121.