Laguna Hills, CA….The South Orange County Regional Chamber of Commerce today announced the naming of Jim Leach as its new CEO.

Leach, former Vice President of Public and Government Affairs with Cox Communications, is a longtime South Orange County business and community leader, will direct the South Orange County Economic Coalition. The Economic Coalition was launched late last year to educate and build support for infrastructure and housing projects needed to provide jobs and spur business and economic development in the region.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead the South Orange County Regional Chamber, said Leach. “This new direction, focused on advocating for our region’s business community, will have an immediate impact through the work of the Economic Coalition.”

The South Orange County Economic Coalition was established to provide a strong voice for business throughout the region, advocating for greater investment in local Infrastructure needs, appropriate supply of quality, reasonably-priced Housing as well as enhanced Workforce Development opportunities that prepare the next generation of skilled workers for the challenges of tomorrow.

The first initiative launched by the Economic Coalition focuses on educating and mobilizing the region’s business community in support of completion of the 241 toll road to Interstate 5.

“We are very fortunate that someone of Jim’s experience, community leadership and esteem in the area is available, willing and able to step in and lead this charge,” announced Chamber Corporate Board Chair John Whitman of Charles Abbott and Associates. “He is as respected in the halls of local government as he is in the business community.”

Other efforts include providing advocacy and support for SDG&E’s Reliability Enhancement Project, continued operations of the San Onofre nuclear power station, as well as enhanced water supplies provided by the Cadiz Water Project and the Poseiden Desalinization Project. The Coalition will also support members seeking specific municipal policy solutions or state and federal legislation that forwards one or more of the above goals.

Charter Coalition partners include the Orange County Business Council, Dana Point Chamber of Commerce, Community Associations Institute, the Orange County Chapter of the Building Industry Association and the Orange County Association of Realtors, among others.

“The South Orange County Economic Coalition will serve as a much-needed catalyst and singular voice for the region’s business community,” said Leach. “Our hope is that by providing often resource-intensive advocacy and governmental affairs tools and access to timely and informative events to our Coalition members, they can then promote it as a value-added benefit to membership in their organization.”

Members will have the opportunity to meet with and hear from Leach at two upcoming Coalition Events:

• Economic Forum Monthly Meeting, Saddleback College, Friday, January 27; 7:30 – 9 a.m.
• Annual Legislative Reception, Saddleback Memorial Health Center, Thursday, February 2; 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

For more information, please visit or www.economiccoalition.com.

Since 1969, the South Orange County Regional Chamber of Commerce, representing businesses of all sizes and industries, has been dedicated to advancing the interests of the business community through advocacy, leadership and representation. In 2011, the Chamber launched the South Orange County Economic Coalition focused on educating, mobilizing and advocating for specific community projects that promote job growth and business and economic development.

For more information regarding this event, please call the chamber office at 949.600.5470 or click here for the registration form.