Huggett to head up Hayward Chamber of Commerce

• August 26, 2010 2:00pm

Congratulations to longtime Cal State East Bay staff member Kim Huggett, who will begin a new chapter in his career when he takes over as president and CEO of the Hayward Chamber of Commerce Sept. 1.

Huggett was most recently director of government and community relations for the university he joined in 1996 as director of public affairs.

“Kim’s background working with business organizations, elected officials, and local governments has given him outstanding credentials to lead the chamber,” said attorney Ronald Peck, who chairs the chamber board of directors and served on its CEO search committee. “This is the leadership the chamber needs as it continues to serve its more than 650 business members.”

“It is an honor to be able to work for this tremendous organization,” said Huggett. “I am excited about the prospects for the future of the Hayward Chamber of Commerce as I work with its creative and dedicated staff, the energetic board of directors, and volunteers.”

The board selected Huggett at its Aug. 19 meeting.

Peck said the directors expressed great appreciation for the contributions of interim president and CEO Brian Schott.

“Brian’s leadership of the chamber during this interim period has been essential to the organization’s delivery of top-notch services to its members, as well as the development of programs to the business community,” Peck said. “We were fortunate to have someone of his qualifications available when we needed him.”

Huggett has had a long association with the Hayward Chamber of Commerce, including a number of years as a host and presenter for the Leadership Hayward program, which gives an in-depth look at city operations and services to a cohort of up to 20 participants each year.

He is a former district director of public information and marketing for the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District, and for the past 13 years served as CSUEB's official spokesperson to the community and the news media.

He represented the university to East Bay chambers of commerce and in six regional business associations, including the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, the Bay Area Council, and the East Bay Economic Development Alliance.

In addition to his work with the Leadership Hayward program, Huggett helped coordinate Cal State East Bay’s participation in chamber activities such as the annual Business Expo and summer Street Parties. He was a co-host of the 2009 Hayward “State of the City” event and his university team hosted and helped coordinate the 2010 Chamber Gala.

He is chair of the Alameda County Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee and has served on the Fairview Advisory Committee and the Hayward Highlands Task Force. He also has helped lead groups of Hayward and Castro Valley teenagers on trips to build houses for the poor in Mexico. 

In 2007, he was among the recipients of a City of Hayward “Pearl Award” at the annual tribute event coordinated by County Supervisor Gail Steele held to honor the community’s outstanding volunteers.

“Hayward is facing challenges to its business community not unlike those occurring in cities throughout the country,” Huggett said. “Fortunately, the Hayward Chamber of Commerce is a dynamic organization with a vision to prepare for the inevitable recovery. It has the leadership of a strong board and an active membership that recognizes economic development also means addressing issues such as education, transportation and cultural amenities. I am proud to be a part of that effort.”

BZ