Samantha St. John has been named the executive director for the Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce by the organization’s board. St. John had been serving as interim executive director since January while the board of directors conducted a regional search for a permanent replacement.

Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce Board President Jessica Beck said that St. John emerged as the front runner among the 24 applicants for the position.

“There were many great applicants for the position, but Samantha’s prior experience with our organization, and her outstanding performance as interim executive director, made her the clear choice,” Beck said. “We are very proud that Samantha will be serving our members, and the community, as our executive director.”

St. John has more than 15 years of business management, marketing, and communications experience, representing nonprofits, start-ups, and businesses large and small.

“The Kirkland Chamber of Commerce plays a key role in supporting business growth in Kirkland, and I am very excited to serve as the executive director to help nurture and support our thriving business community,” St. John said.

She is well known by Chamber members, as well as the Kirkland business community at large, and served as the organization’s director of marketing and communications.

St. John is a lifelong resident of Kirkland and was recently awarded the Teddy Overleese Community Service Award from the Kirkland Downtown Association. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Attain Housing, a Kirkland nonprofit organization providing affordable housing and case management for homeless and at-risk families with children.

She takes over for former executive director Bruce Wynn, who was recently named the Discover Burien executive director.