The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce (GCVCC) announced Tuesday that Brandon Marley will be the organization's new CEO.
Delivering substantial chamber experience, Marley also embraced the organization's vision, which scored him high points with the Executive Committee, according to a GCVCC news release. Some of his chamber experience was in previous service with GCVCC, giving him a working knowledge of the group and its mission.
"The Executive Committee was impressed with Brandon's dedication to the vision of our chamber as the voice for businesses large and small across the Coachella Valley," Board Chair Richard Ramhoff said. "He is intimately familiar with our history and commitment to building a chamber that has the resources to speak with a regional voice while maintaining deep connections to our cities through our local chamber boards in Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, Indio and La Quinta, as well as our business district in Indian Wells."
Marley was also described as well-versed in GCVCC's history and dedicated to growing the chamber's regional voice and resources, while not sacrificing its foundation with its cities and business districts, the release said.
As new CEO, Marley is looking forward to the position with excitement, and in the news release, he promised to keep GCVCC on a winning track with a passionate team and serving as "a true 'voice of business'" — something he says he truly believes in.
In his previous positions, Marley worked as the director of communications and public outreach at the GCVCC from 2018 to 2022, and then held posts at Local IQ and the Desert Sun, the release said. His pre-chamber dealings include collaborating with advertising agencies on various client campaigns.
Marley further brings deep community roots and relationships with the city council, state and federal officials, as well as other stakeholders, which he can tap into to support the chamber and its business members, according to the release.
As he adjusts to his new role, Marley will have backing from Interim CEO Diana Soto, who has been boosting the chamber's progress since October.
"I've been honored with the opportunity to help take this organization to the next level," Soto said in a statement. As she plans to return to Arizona to devote full time to her family, she has no doubts that the chamber will keep on progressing.
In the release, Ramhoff thanked Soto for her service, which he said was indispensable to the chamber's ongoing growth.
"I think this is a pivotal time for the GCVCC," Marley said in the release. "I'm thrilled at the opportunity to bring my leadership skills —as well as my background in marketing, advertising and advocacy — to help grow the GCVCC and the business community here in the Coachella Valley."