Longtime CEO of largest chamber in Tri-Cities is stepping down
Lori Mattson, longtime president and CEO of the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce, will retire next February.
Mattson announced her plans at the chamber’s board of directors meeting this week.
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She will continue to lead the chamber while the board conducts a search for her successor.
Mattson joined the regional chamber staff in 2024, two years before the Kennewick/Tri-City Regional and Richland chambers united to give the region’s businesses a greater voice. She was named president and CEO after the new organization came into effect.
The consolidation effort was controversial at the time. Pasco Chamber of Commerce members voted not to join the new organization..
Today, the regional chamber is the largest of the four serving the region.
Pasco and West Richland have always maintained independent chambers. Richland re-formed its chamber in 2022.
“I am deeply grateful for the trust, support, and friendships that have made this work so meaningful over the years,” she said in a statement.
Mattson led the chamber through a period of significant transformation. It earned a Five-Star Accreditation, the highest given by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
It also stepped away from sponsoring marquee community events, including the River of Fire Festival and the Cool Desert Nights classic car show.
In 2017, Mattson announced the chamber would stop producing both, saying they were a drain on its limited resources and a low priority for members.
The chamber had asked members to rank 17 programs and events. River of Fire and Cool Desert Nights came in 16th and 17th.
Both have found new sponsors. Cool Desert Nights 2026 is June 26-27 in Richland and is sponsored by the Richland Chamber.
River of Fire is July 4 in Kennewick and is presented by Idaho Central Credit Union.
Today, the Tri-City Chamber focuses on advocating for business, developing a legislative agenda and organizing monthly membership luncheons, Business After Hours networking gatherings and the annual Women in Business conference, among its many initiatives.
“She has been a remarkable leader and will be leaving the chamber exceptionally well-positioned for the future,” said Torey Azure, board chair.
Go to tricityregionalchamber.com