IRVINE, Calif. – April 9, 2009 –A search committee, established by the Irvine Chamber Board of Directors, announced Tallia Hart as Irvine Chamber’s new president and CEO during a special Board meeting on Tuesday, April 7. Hart will officially assume her role as president and CEO of the Irvine Chamber of Commerce on May 18.

Hart comes to the Irvine Chamber from San Rafael, Calif., where she has been president and CEO of the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce since July 2005. At the San Rafael Chamber, Hart created a political action committee to promote business-friendly candidates and issues for the area and implemented the “Chamber University” to promote continuing education in the San Rafael business community. Prior to leading the San Rafael Chamber, Hart was the executive director of the Northern California Engineering Contractors Association in Santa Rosa, Calif.

Hart is an Accredited Chamber Executive (ACE) of the Western Association of Chamber Executives (W.A.C.E.) and is a graduate of the W.A.C.E. Academy. In 2007, Hart was named as one of the “Top 40 Under 40 Professionals in the North Bay (Calif.)” by the North Bay Business Journal. Her resume also includes positions on more than a dozen boards and committees for various organizations.

"Tallia Hart is one of the most impressive young chamber CEO's in California and we are thrilled to have her coming to lead the Irvine Chamber," said Steve Churm, Chair of the Irvine Chamber Board of Directors. "Her energy, experience and professionalism make her the right choice for this Chamber and this dynamic business community."

Hart will replace Jacquie Warren, Irvine Chamber’s president and CEO for the past 20 years, who will officially retire on April 30. Upon hearing of Warren’s retirement plans, an Executive Search Committee was formed by the Chamber’s Board of Directors. The seven-member committee, including the current Board chair and three past chairs, reviewed more than 70 applications for the position before unanimously selecting Hart as their candidate for President and CEO. Hart was confirmed by the Board of Directors during a special Board meeting on April 7. 

About Irvine Chamber
The Irvine Chamber of Commerce represents over 1,000 local companies and is a premier business member organization dedicated to serving as advocates for pertinent issues affecting the local business community, while serving as a vehicle to promote business and community development in Irvine. For more information about the Irvine Chamber of Commerce, please call (949) 660-9112, or visit www.irvinechamber.com.