Looking to grow its reach in the region and expand economic development efforts, the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce recently announced that Melissa James will join the team as director of economic initiatives and regional advocacy.
This new, part-time role was created to expand advocacy efforts and to increase the Chamber’s leadership in key regional economic development discussions. This work is increasingly relevant in light of the significant changes in our local economy with the planned closure of Diablo Canyon Power Plant.
“Melissa brings a strong background in public policy, advocacy and economic development to a new and critical role at the Chamber,” said SLO Chamber President and CEO Ermina Karim. “The challenges our community is facing are increasingly regional in nature and the Chamber now has even more bandwidth to work with regional partners to address them.”
Starting January 9, James will work closely with different governmental, for-profit and nonprofit entities to drive job creation, business attraction, business growth and employee retention.
James has served for the last year as the director of economic development for the Economic Vitality Corporation. Prior to that James served several years in the California State Legislature, notably as a capitol director in Sacramento and as an account executive for a public relations and political consulting firm where she worked with businesses on strategic communications and issue advocacy at the state level.
Having served a term on the SLO Chamber Board of Directors in 2016, James also brings a deep understanding of the Chamber’s mission, values and operations.
“We are very excited to have someone that we feel can step in on day one and have a significant impact on behalf of our members,” said Dan O’Hare, president and managing director at Glenn Burdette and 2016 chair of the Chamber Board of Directors. “Melissa’s experience in strategic communication and public relations as well as her extensive knowledge of regional business needs will serve as a huge benefit to our members.”
James was recently recognized for her professional excellence and dedication to the local community by being named one of The Tribune’s Top 20 Under 40.