New CEO for Poway Chamber of Commerce

Dolores Canizales has joined the staff of the as the new president and CEO, concluding a .

Canizales has experience working with chambers of commerce in Florida and Southern California, as well as the city and county of Los Angeles. Her latest job was district director for Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn, a post she left in 2010 after five years.

“We have selected Dolores based on her previous and extensive chamber, public office and academic experience. She understands that increasing membership is vital to our organization,” Board Chair Jim Crute said in a statement. “Additionally, Dolores will work with our board and members to ensure the Poway Chamber provides relevant, and valuable benefits and services for the local business community.”

Before working for Hahn, Canizales was director of Community and Governmental Relations for Loyola Marymount University. Earlier in her career, she served as executive director of the Hollywood and Miramar-Pembroke Pines Chamber of Commerce, both in Florida. She was then recruited to lead the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce.

After leaving the San Pedro Chamber in 1994, she was a member of Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan’s staff for five years, first as an area deputy, and then as his community affairs manager.

Canizales earned a bachelor of arts degree in public relations from San Jose State University. She lives in Rancho Bernardo with her husband and teenage son.