Jim Bizzelle, a former Newhall Land executive, has been hired by the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce as Interim President and CEO while the organization looks for a permanent replacement for Terri Crain, who stepped down from the position last month.

“We’re pleased to be able to bring someone with Jim’s executive level management skills on to lead the SCV Chamber,” said Curtis Woods, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the SCV Chamber of Commerce. “Jim is the high-caliber executive with a strong reputation in the business community that we need to lead us through this transition. His experience will be a great asset to the Chamber as (we) work to hire a new President and CEO and build a better, stronger Chamber of Commerce.”

Bizzelle was most recently senior vice president at Newhall Land and Farming. Prior to Newhall Land, he served as vice president of Pardee Homes, heading their Los Angeles/Ventura Division.

Bizzelle previously served on the SCV Chamber Board of Directors and has served on the Boards for the SCV Economic Development Corporation and the Building Industry Association of Southern California.

“I’m excited to be coming on board to help the Chamber through this transition of leadership,” he said. “I’ve been actively involved in the Chamber and the greater Santa Clarita Valley for years and understand the needs of the local business community and the city.”

Related: Executive Director For Santa Clarita Valley Chamber Of Commerce To Step Down

Bizzelle has lived in the Santa Clarita Valley for over 20 years and has been actively involved in local nonprofits, including the SCV Boys and Girls Club, Domestic Violence Center of SCV, the Michael Hoefflin Foundation and Carousel Ranch.

“I’ve worked with Jim for more than a dozen years in various capacities and he is the right person to lead the SCV Chamber to help make it a better, stronger, more vibrant organization to best advocate for the needs of today’s business community,” said Holly Schroeder, President and CEO of the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation.

Bizzelle officially begins as the interim CEO on June 1. The Chamber plans to hire a permanent president and CEO within the next six months.

The Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce represents the business community in the third largest city in the county of Los Angeles, and is the leading business advocacy organization in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Ed. Note: This article is a news release provided by the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce.