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Turnaround Specialist for Lancaster Chamber of Commerce announced

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Sandy Smith
Sandy Smith

LANCASTER – The Lancaster Chamber of Commerce announced Wednesday that it has named Sandy Smith as the Chief Operating Officer/Turnaround Specialist.

Smith will be introduced during the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce’s annual membership luncheon on June 12, and she will assume her new position on July 2, 2013.

As the new Chief Operating Officer, Smith will guide the progress of the Lancaster Chamber’s five-year strategic plan, implement the development of the Chamber Champions program and enhance support for small business.

“Sandy Smith will be a tremendous asset to the Lancaster Chamber and we are confident she will hit the ground running,” said Ann Hill, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors. “The selection committee is excited about Ms. Smith’s appointment and expects her to bring a strong vision to the Chamber to move it forward into the future.”

“I am honored and delighted about being selected as the new Chief Operating Officer for the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce. I have always loved this community and am excited to begin this new professional chapter in my life,” Smith said. “I have enjoyed a long and rewarding career in the non-profit section and take great pride in my ability to raise funds, recruit and retain staff and volunteers, manage operations, and successfully engage community partners in pursuit of common goals.”

“In addition, I am results-oriented and look forward to assuming a leadership position that will be both challenging and fulfilling,” Smith continued.

Smith comes to the Chamber as a proven leader with an impressive track record.

Smith was formerly the Regional Director, Community Operations for the American Cancer Society’s Border Sierra and Orange County regions, a position she held for 11 years. Prior to that, she served as Executive Director of the Antelope Valley American Cancer Society office for four years.

Prior to the American Cancer Society, Smith worked for Los Angeles County High Desert Hospital as the Director of Volunteers and Patient Advocate. During her tenure, she planned, implemented and managed a large scale fundraiser that ultimately earned $750,000 in a seven-year period. For her efforts, Smith was recognized by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and Productivity Commission as “Employee of the Year.”

Smith is a past president of Lancaster West Rotary and past assistant governor for Rotary District 5260. Currently, Smith is a board member for the Antelope Valley Fair Association and also sits on the 50th District Agricultural Association board, a position she was appointed to by the Governor of California. In addition, Smith serves as a member of the City of Lancaster’s Planning Commission and the Lancaster Successor Agency Oversight Board.

(Information via press release from the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce.)

9 comments for "Turnaround Specialist for Lancaster Chamber of Commerce announced"

  1. I wonder if Rex decides to sue one of the businesses in the Chamber if this would constitute a conflict of interest since she was his campaign manager. If he decides to put a fence around a business, or sic code enforcement on where you parked your food trailer, he’ll have no trouble knowing where to send the paperwork.

  2. Turnaround specialist – hopefully she can turn all the riff raff we have in the area to somewhere far away!

    • Funny how a sleazy city government attracts sleazy low lifes. It’s like they instinctively know they’are among friends.

  3. rexs campaign manager gets the job? he does reward you when you sell your soul to him thats for sure.

  4. I like Sandy and she’ll do a great job as long as Sandy understands she is working for the Lancaster Chamber as an employee and that the Lancaster Chamber can not be influenced by the City of Lancaster or the Mayor R. Rex Parris (The King). Chambers and City’s can work together to united and build a stronger commerce. But when a city begins to control and manage a chamber, the chamber becomes weak and ineffective to the business community.

    I hope great success for Sandy and will support her as I would anyone in her position. I also feel Sandy should resign her position from the Planning Commission for the City of Lancaster. This will help to elude any possible conflicts and future headaches.

    • I can just about guarantee you that this will not happen. I heard from someone that the very first thing she led with at the interview was that she was friends with Rex.

      If you are a business owner, be very careful about speaking too freely. The Chamber walls have ears.

      • She is much more professional than she is being given credit for. I highly doubt that she would bring up her friendship with Rex in an employment interview–just idle gossip, I’m sure. Look at her credentials and experience. She obviously doesn’t need to ride on Rex’ coattails to get a job that she’s completely qualified for. I think she will do an incredible job.