SEATTLE – The Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce has selected Vaughn Taylor to lead the regional business association’s economic development initiatives.

The Chamber is the designated associate development organization (ADO) for King County, helping local businesses grow and thrive in a more equitable and inclusive regional economy. ADOs partner with Washington’s Department of Commerce to further their region’s economic development goals.

“This is an incredibly challenging time for our businesses and communities as they work to safely reopen and come back from the pandemic,” said Washington State Commerce Director Lisa Brown. “Vaughn brings invaluable experience in economic development – particularly in marginalized communities – and his leadership comes at a pivotal time. An equitable recovery is one of our top priorities and we look forward to working with Vaughn and the Chamber in the months and years to come.”

“King County is pleased to partner with the Seattle Metro Chamber to help our local businesses recover and rebound,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “We are investing additional funding to more equitably assist businesses during a uniquely challenging time in our region’s history. We look forward to working with Vaughn to undertake this important work.”

Taylor, as the new Vice President of Economic Development, will lead the Chamber’s work to build the networks, expand the tools, and accelerate business activity across the region. The organization will do this in partnership with the 39 cities and unincorporated areas of King County, as well as other economic development entities such as Greater Seattle Partners, the Seattle-King County Workforce Development Council, local and ethnic chambers of commerce, and community organizations that support businesses.

The Chamber also provides business education programming through its REACH network (Retention, Expansion, and Collaboration Hub).

“As a business advocate and convener, the Seattle Metro Chamber has a unique and important role to play in our region’s economic recovery,” said Chamber President and CEO Rachel Smith. “We are excited to have Vaughn on board as our economic work evolves to include a greater focus on supporting the growth and expansion of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color-owned businesses in our region, as well as approaches that recognize the different opportunities in each of our county’s subregions.”

Taylor is an economic developer specializing in business retention and economic justice for locally based firms. He has served in director-level roles such as managing business district revitalization, leading commercial tenant attractions, and spearheading business development for a city public-private economic development corporation. Most recently, Taylor served as CDFI Loan Officer at Rainier Valley Community Development Fund, a $29 million community-controlled financial institution in Southeast Seattle.

Taylor’s first day at the Chamber is Aug. 9.

About the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce

The Seattle Metropolitan (Seattle Metro) Chamber of Commerce is the regional business advocacy organization that engages the innovation and entrepreneurship of its 2,500 members to promote inclusive economic prosperity. Founded in 1882 by local business leaders, the Chamber today is an independent organization representing a regional workforce of approximately 750,000. For more information, visit www.seattlechamber.com.

Media contact: Jillian Henze, APR
Cell: (425) 785-6731
jillianh@www.seattlechamber.com