Karin Moss is a natural at marketing, having promoted cities, projects, films and non-profits. And now it is Turlock’s turn.

After a lengthy executive search, the Turlock Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors has selected Moss as the new chief executive officer and president for the organization.

Moss is taking over the helm of the Chamber at a time when the organization is refocusing its efforts. Long-serving CEO and President Sharon Silva retired from the Chamber in August 2015, and Paul Wright stepped in to serve as the interim CEO. It was during this time that the Chamber and the City of Turlock severed their partnership in operating the Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Chamber’s Board of Directors saw departures and new appointments in 2015 and decided that going forward the organization would be focusing more on membership and less on events.

“I feel like this is a good time to be coming into this position because all the cards have been put out on the table,” said Moss.

Moss most recently has conducted marketing campaigns aimed at developing resources for both The State Theatre in Modesto and the United Samaritans Foundation in Turlock.

“Both of the contracts with those organizations have come to an end and I was looking for something that would keep me in the Central Valley,” Moss said. “I was so impressed with Turlock’s downtown revitalization program and the small town flavor that it has. I’ve done downtown revitalization projects and so often locals didn’t want to roll up their sleeves and do the work. They were looking for the magic bullet. But I was really impressed by what I saw in Turlock.”

Moss’ career in marketing began in the entertainment sector and grew from there. She brings more than 30 years worth of experience in corporate and non-profit sectors.

Her work has been cited for excellence by both national and international associations and she has been a regularly featured speaker at seminars and conferences including Business Retention Expansion International, the International Downtown Association, League of California Cities, International Association of Fairs and Expositions, and the Governors Conference on Tourism.

Moss has provided executive direction to economic development and downtown revitalization programs in several cities throughout California as well as to the National Main Street Center in Washington, D.C.  Karin has been a Board Member of the Kings Mountain (NC) Downtown Association, City of Gastonia’s Reinvestment for Community Program and the Blue Ridge Parkway Association.  As Campaign Director of Census 2000 in the Central Valley, she was honored for having one of the highest response rates in the United States due to her multi-ethnic marketing campaigns

“The Board unanimously agreed that Karin’s breadth of experience and expertise are an excellent fit for us as we expand our membership and establish sound working relationships within the community, the City and our local businesses.  We’re delighted to welcome Karin to our staff as the new CEO,” said Chamber Chairman of the Board Lazar Piro.

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