Beaufort Chamber hires CEO as challenge awaits: helping businesses endure coronavirus
The Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce has hired a new leader as the business organization braces for the challenges of coronavirus.
Ian Scott will begin his new role heading the northern Beaufort County nonprofit organization in mid-April, as local businesses are closed or modifying operations in the face of COVID-19.
Scott, 36, will come to Beaufort from a senior role at the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, a city with a similar business and military landscape.
“To me there is no question: Response, recovery and ultimately thriving out of COVID-19 is priority one,” Scott said Wednesday. “It’s got to be every chamber of commerce’s job to help as many employers as they can weather this storm.”
The process to hire Scott began before the pandemic changed life for local business owners. Former CEO Blakely Williams announced her resignation in December and stayed on through January while a committee began a search.
The Chamber announced Scott’s hiring on Tuesday. He begins work April 15.
Scott has worked as senior vice president for government relations at the Charleston Metro Chamber since 2017, leading a team that advocates for business and the military at the local, state and federal level. Before that, he worked nine years in various roles for the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives in Virginia.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ian as the new leader of our Chamber team,” Chamber chairman Evan Wheeler said in a statement. “His strategic vision will be an invaluable asset to our organization and our community. His prior experience and commitment to community engagement will ensure that we continue to advance our region and serve our members.”
The Beaufort Chamber includes a membership of local companies and business owners, lobbies elected officials for pro-business policies and has two committees dedicated to military issues and the relationship with Beaufort County’s three bases. The organization also hosts regular forums to hear from elected leaders, local military officers and school administrators.
The Chamber recently announced its popular Taste of Beaufort festival in Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, scheduled for early May, has been canceled due to coronavirus.
This story was originally published April 1, 2020 at 2:53 PM.
