Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce CEO Douglass W. Wilhoit Jr. announced he will be retiring effective July 21, 2021 after 22 years of service at the helm of the Stockton Chamber. Timm Quinn will serve as Interim CEO of the Stockton Chamber upon Wilhoit’s retirement.
Doug has served in his current role as CEO of the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce since July of 1999. During his tenure as CEO, Doug played a critical role in helping the Chamber grow with the current business climates and stay relevant as the voice of business in the San Joaquin Valley. One of Doug’s biggest achievements as CEO was when the Chamber Board of Directors sued the State of California over the placement of the California Health Care Facility (CHCF) in South Stockton. Under Doug’s leadership, the Chamber made sure the State used local contractors and labor to build the facility and secured funding for San Joaquin Delta College and Stockton Unified School District to create programs to feed workers to the facility. Leading to the creation of the Health Careers Academy High School in Stockton Unified School District.
“Doug has been a pillar of our Stockton community for many years, and on behalf of the entire board, both past and present, want to thank him for his tireless work leading the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce. Doug is a true leader, and we want to wish him and Joan the best in his retirement!”
During his time as CEO Doug was also presented with many community awards. Some of the most significant were: receiving the Child Abuse Prevention Council (CAPC) Hero’s Award in 2003, being named the 53rd Stocktonian of the Year in 2006, and being awarded the Goodwill Industries of San Joaquin Helping Hands Award in 2016.
Prior to being named Chamber CEO Doug served the community in many ways. From 1995 to 1999 Doug was appointed by Governor Pete Wilson to serve on the State of California Youthful Offender Parole Board. Before that Doug served on the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors from 1979 to 1995. Preceding his time on the Board of Supervisors Doug served his community with the Stockton Police Department as a Patrol Officer (1967 – 1971), Community Relations Officer (1971 – 1973), and Juvenile Division Detective (1973 – 1979).