Home Contra Costa County Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce Names New President and CEO

Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce Names New President and CEO

by ECT

PLEASANT HILL, CA— The Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors named Steve Van Dorn the Chamber’s new President and CEO on May 11. Van Dorn will replace Ann Luke, who recently resigned.

“Van Dorn is an established leader within the Chamber of Commerce industry and will bring years of experience to his role as the new leader of our Chamber,” said Julie McCoy, Chair of the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. “We are very excited to have Steve on our team and look forward to continuing our work with him in making Pleasant Hill the place for business to grow and prosper.”

Van Dorn brings over 20 years of experience in the Chamber of Commerce industry to the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce, most recently as Corporate Affairs Manager for the California Chamber of Commerce and President and CEO of the Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce and Convention-Visitors Bureau. Van Dorn represented the California Chamber in the Silicon Valley and the Bay Area regions and he oversaw a team of 62 employees at the Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce & Convention-Visitors Bureau where he managed the Chamber, Convention & Visitors Bureau and Convention Center.

During his leadership in Santa Clara, chamber membership revenue grew steadily year over year and he was part of a successful team in bringing the 49ers and the 50th Super Bowl to Santa Clara.  Van Dorn also lead the formation of a Tourism Improvement District which generated additional funds to boost the marketing and sales of Santa Clara as a meeting and visitor destination.

“Increasing tourism to Pleasant Hill is a focus area for the Chamber and City and with Steve’s leadership and experience, I’m confident we will be able to bring more visitors to our city bringing additional economic impact and contributions to our community,” said Chris Thomas, Commercial Division Director for Land Home Financial Services, Inc. and Past Chair of the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

“I’m thrilled to join the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce as its new President and CEO and can’t wait to get to work,” said Van Dorn.  “Pleasant Hill is where my wife and I celebrated our wedding over 30 years ago and will always hold a special place in my heart.  I look forward to this incredible opportunity.”
While at the Santa Clara Chamber, Van Dorn was a member of the CalChamber Board of Directors from 2013-2014 serving as the representative for the Western Association of Chamber Executives during his terms as chairman-elect and chairman.  He received the Hospitality Achievement Award from the Silicon Valley Concierge Association in 2012 and a Certificate in Organizational Management in 2002 from the US Chamber of Commerce.

He has been married to his wife Lori for over 30 years and they have raised three sons aged 27, 25 and 23 in Dublin, CA.

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