James D. Lynch has been named as the new President/CEO of the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, effective November 1, to replace Kathryn Dodson, who resigned to direct economic development for the City of El Paso, Texas.
Chairman John M. Bohn said the Chamber selected Mr. Lynch “because of his broad experience in chamber management. Our investigation shows that he has been universally well-liked and that he works well with diverse groups of people.”
Lynch has served as the Vice President of Leadership Programs for the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, where he was responsible for educating and developing regional leaders from business, government, academic and nonprofit communities. Before that Los Angeles position, Lynch was Chief Executive Officer of the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce, President and CEO of the Century City Chamber of Commerce and Executive Director of the Tustin Chamber of Commerce in Central Orange County. Most recently, he has worked as publisher of a Westside newspaper.
“I am very pleased to be selected,” said Lynch. “The Chamber is really well run and in good shape,” and he looks forward to “taking the reins and continuing the good work that has been done.”
Chairman Bohn said that the Santa Monica Chamber will look to Mr. Lynch to implement “the continuation of programs that will help the homeless situation” and the provision of “workforce housing for middle income people. The Chamber is particularly interested,” he said, “in housing for city employees – police officers and firefighters – and for teachers and nurses.” Bohn added that the Chamber hopes to hire another employee to work in government affairs to work with the City on such matters.
Jim Lynch is a graduate of the United States Chamber of Commerce four-year Institute for Organization Management at the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana and holds both Master’s and Bachelor’s Degrees in Criminal Justice and Public Administration from California State University, Los Angeles. Additionally, he has earned the designation of Accredited Chamber Executive (ACE) from the Western Association of Chamber Executives, the nation’s largest regional accreditation body.
He also holds, and has held, many leadership positions with regional associations, charitable organizations, educational institutions and the United States Department of the Treasury. Mr. Lynch resides in the Los Angeles area with his wife Beverly and two daughters Patty and Annie.
