San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce Names New President-CEO

EAST SAN DIEGO COUNTY -- The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce has named local executive Rick Wilson as the chamber's new president and CEO. He completed his first day as the chamber's top executive on Monday.

Wilson replaces interim CEO Joe Mackey, who was appointed to the position in January after Joe Lund, the chamber's president and CEO since 2014, left for a similar job with a tourism bureau in Colorado.

Wilson accepted the position with the chamber after serving as executive director of the Liberty Station Community Association and Liberty Station Improvement Association. Prior to that, he served in various management capacities with the Mission Valley YMCA for 16 years, and as the San Diego Chargers' facilities manager for six years.

In a statement, he said he was ``thrilled with the opportunity to continue the momentum and serve the chamber members as we support the overall business community and improve business competitiveness. The chamber has a robust future with a dynamic staff and a highly engaged board.''

The chamber spent the last few months completing a national search for a new CEO that drew dozens of applicants, according to chamber officials.

The 600-member organization represents cities and unincorporated areas throughout east San Diego County, including El Cajon, Santee, Alpine, Julian and Ramona.

Bay City News contributed to this report.