COSTA MESA : Retired AF Colonel to Manage Chamber
The Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce has hired Edward (Lee) Heinz as executive manager. Heinz replaces Arlene Schafer, who held the position for three years before resigning in December.
Heinz has been executive vice president of the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce for the last two years.
Heinz served 28 years in the Air Force before retiring as a full colonel in 1988. He was commander of the 659th Test and Evaluation Group at Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc.
A doctoral candidate in public administration at the University of La Verne, Heinz holds two master’s degrees from USC, in international relations and systems management. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from UC Berkeley.
“Costa Mesa is very diverse in terms of affluence,” Heinz said. “It has South Coast Plaza on one end of the spectrum and plenty of small mom-and-pop operations on the other. I want to make sure that the chamber represents everyone. But first, I plan to do a lot of listening. Then, in about 30 days, I’ll be ready to make my first recommendations.”
Russell T. Gilbert, president of the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce, said Heinz’s leadership background, particularly his emphasis on long-range planning, would contribute toward the future growth and success of the chamber.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
