Jerry Sanders, who joined the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce as president and CEO 12 years ago following his tenure as mayor, will retire at the end of the year, it was announced Monday.
His impending retirement brings to an end decades of public service, including 26 years with the San Diego Police Department — nearly six of them as police chief — seven years as mayor, and several years with the local chapters of the United Way and American Red Cross.
“On behalf of my fellow Board members, we express our heartfelt appreciation for Jerry’s unwavering commitment to our business community and San Diego as a whole,” Alessandra Lezama, chamber board chair and CEO of TOOTRiS, said in a statement. “Under his remarkable leadership, Jerry has transformed the chamber into one of the most influential business advocacy organizations in the region. We are extremely grateful for his contributions.”
Sanders, 74, said one of the accomplishments he is most proud of during his time at the chamber is the work the organization did to significantly build the cross-border relationship. When he joined the chamber, there was a still fledgling connection between the business communities on both sides of the border but it was nothing like it is now, he said.
“There was not really a dedicated staff,” Sanders said in an interview. “We had one person and it was kind of a stepchild. But we elevated it, and Paola Avila (now Mayor Todd Gloria’s chief of staff) really helped elevate it. It’s become a really big thing for both America and Mexico.
“It allows us to go back to D.C. and Mexico City as a delegation and talk about how important that cross-border business community is.”
He noted that the chamber has many members from Baja California.
The chamber’s management council will serve as the selections committee for a new CEO. In the interim, Jessica Anderson, the chamber’s chief operating officer and executive vice president, will serve as acting president and CEO effective Jan. 1. The committee is expected to select a new CEO by Feb. 27.
“The chamber we know today is a testament to Jerry’s strategic vision,” said Chris Howard, incoming chamber board chair, and CEO of Sharp HealthCare. “The foundation Jerry has built positions the chamber for much continued success in the years to come.”
While retirement is often a hard decision, Sanders says he is very much looking forward to it.
“My wife and I felt like right now is the best time, and I’m really excited about it. The chamber has a tremendous staff. I’m looking forward to the whole experience and spending more time with our six grandchildren and two daughters, and we want to explore San Diego and the whole region.”
The chamber will celebrate Sanders’ leadership at the organization’s annual Anniversary Celebration on Feb. 27 where he will be given the Herb Klein Spirit of San Diego lifetime achievement award, which is the organization’s top honor.
