VALLEJO – Looking from within, the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce has tapped former board chair Shawna Gilroy as the organization’s new president/CEO, the chamber announced Thursday.
Gilroy replaces James Cooper who left Vallejo after six years to take a similar position in the city of Pleasanton in May.
“I'm excited to take on this new role and continue to grow the Vallejo Chamber,” Gilroy said in a statement shared by the chamber. “After being on the Board of Directors for years I look forward to continuing to work with our Board members.”
Gilroy served as chair of the board in 2020 and 2021, helping to keep the organization open during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She was recently tapped to serve as chair of the Griffin Technology Academies Board of Directors last month as the charter network attempts to fend off a push to revoke its charter status by the Vallejo school district.
Gilroy serves as the advertising sales and community engagement manager for the Vallejo Times-Herald, a position she has held since 2013. Gilroy led the Times-Herald when it received the Large Business of the Year award by the chamber of commerce in 2014.
Former Vallejo Mayor Bob Sampayan applauded Gilroy’s appointment via social media.
“Outstanding choice!! She'll do a great job for the Chamber and Vallejo businesses,” Sampayan wrote on Facebook.
Following Cooper’s departure, Jackie Arnold, the 2022 board chair, was made interim CEO in May. She is expected to continue as board chair once Gilroy takes over as president/CEO on Aug. 8.
Arnold said in a statement that she was “thrilled” Gilroy accepted the CEO position.
“She brings a perfect blend of Community engagement and working with our Business Community at the Times Herald,” Arnold said. “We at the Vallejo Chamber are so excited to have her join our team.”
The president/CEO runs the day-to-day operations of the chamber, while overseeing the fiscal and personnel management. The position reports directly to the chamber’s board of directors.
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