The Yuma County Chamber of Commerce today formally announced a new executive director who has a background working at a nonprofit think tank and in journalism.
Ben Smithwick was introduced Wednesday at a monthly chamber mixer held at the Avenir Financial credit union branch on South 1st Avenue in Yuma. He was joined by outgoing Yuma Chamber operations manager Diana Wise, who the Yuma Sun reportes is set to retire soon.
Chamber officials say Smithwick will lead the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce, which calls itself the "business voice" of the greater Yuma area by working with owners and employees for businesses in Yuma, Somerton, San Luis, Wellton and the Cocopah and Quechan Indian tribal communities.
In a released statement, Smithwick said "As a frequent visitor to Yuma County, I have always appreciated the vibrancy of this business community and everything this incredible region has to offer. I am honored to take on this role to support our local businesses and I am thrilled to make Yuma my home."
Smithwick previously spent more than 10 years at the Pacific Research Institute, a nonprofit think tank with offices in Pasadena and Sacramento, Calif. He was most recently the vice president of development with PRI.
Prior to joining the organization, Smithwick was a news editor at Fox News in Los Angeles and began his career as a local news reporter at the Santa Barbara News-Press covering California's Central Coast.
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Smithwick is scheduled to appear Tuesday at 10 a.m. on Yuma Edition on KAWC's sister station KOFA Border Radio. Listen at 94.7 FM or kawc.org or on the KAWC app or watch on the KAWC page on YouTube or Facebook.
