After more than 38 years as president/chief executive officer of the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, David Garth has announced his retirement, effective later this year.  

The announcement was made public at the Chamber’s Annual Dinner gala on Jan. 22, where the Chamber’s new officers and board members were installed and the 2010 Citizen of the Year award was presented. His retirement will be effective July 1, 2011.

During Garth’s tenure, the Chamber has grown from an organization with 250 members and two employees to one of more than 1,400 members and 15 employees. The organization's budget grew from $30,000 per year to $1.5 million per year – all in a town of less than 50,000 people.

“I’ve been a Chamber executive for most of my life and it just seems like the right time for me and the organization to move on,” Garth said when asked why he chose to retire now. “The Chamber is doing very well, and I’ve always wanted to leave while I’m still able to make a difference and contribute. And there are things I want to do in life and make sure I have time to do them.”

In addition to overseeing the Chamber staff, Garth has worked closely with the 21-member Board of Directors in setting Chamber priorities, carrying out goals and ensuring the organization’s fiscal responsibility. Under Garth’s leadership, the Chamber has become widely known for its excellence in governmental affairs, political action and tourism promotion.

Garth was named California Chamber of Commerce Executive of the Year by the California Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives in 1992 and was recognized as an Accredited Chamber Executive, an honor bestowed upon a select few. Prior to his Chamber career, Garth was a television news director, reporter and news anchorman for several television stations in the Midwest and California, including KSBY in San Luis Obispo. He had previously graduated from California State University Northridge with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism in 1968.  He's also a professional fine art landscape photographer. Garth’s photographs have been widely published and displayed in several California galleries.

Garth’s passions are his wife Sandy and his photography. He loves the outdoors and nature, and spends most of his free time either taking or printing photographs, or ocean kayaking.

For more information, phone 805-781-2777 or visit www.slochamber.org.