Just three months after the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau picked an interim president to replace long-time president Denny Anderson, it announced it will again have a home-grown permanent CEO starting in July.
Ken Ostini, a third-generation Lompocan, was selected from a candidate pool of 60 people from around the country to head the coalition of businesses in an effort to clear some of the city’s long-fought economic hurdles.
Ostini grew up in Lompoc, graduating from Lompoc High School in 1968 and Allan Hancock College in 1970. He served in the Army for three years before earning his bachelor’s degree in recreational administration from Long Beach State University in 1976.
Since 1986, he’s worked with children and family services, primarily as chief of Airman and Services Flight at Vandenberg Air Force Base. He’s also serving for more than a decade on the Lompoc League Board of Directors, coaching youth soccer, basketball, and baseball.
Ostini served on the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission from 1986 to 1996, is a former president of the Lompoc Unified School District’s Board of Trustees, and is currently a board member for Lompoc Valley Youth Leadership, the Cabrillo Aquarium, and the Lompoc Boys & Girls Club.
Ostini told the Sun he’s humbled by his selection and is ready to hit the ground running come July.
“My family’s been here a real long time, and I can say I have a real fondness for the Valley,” he said. “I’m excited about this opportunity and am looking forward to seeing what we can do to make the Lompoc Valley a better place.”
But the job won’t be easy, he said: It’s a challenge being the new guy and fostering those connections as the city continues to grapple with a tough economy.
“I think—being very new to this, anyway—I can create a liaison with the business community in helping to alleviate some of those hurdles to creating new businesses in town. That’s what we need,” Ostini said. “I’m always willing to listen to people’s point of view and will always keep an open mind.”
Ostini will be the third leader of the organization since December, after Anderson retired from the spot after serving for more than 15 years. In February, the Chamber Board of Trustees selected Director Tim Harrington as interim president until a permanent leader could be found.
According to the Chamber’s Executive Finance Committee Chairman Jason Reynolds, the trustees began accepting candidates for the position after Harrington’s appointment. Reynolds said he was impressed at the show of interest for the spot.
“We need a leader who really loves and is committed to Lompoc, but that only got [the candidates] so far,” Reynolds said. “We really tried to weigh their backgrounds and connections, and the reality is that Ken brings with him a leadership quality you can’t train for.”
Reynolds said Ostini was selected for his various roles of service in the community and will bring a valuable perspective—as well as valuable connections— to the title, even though he doesn’t come from the business community.
“He’s a guy who cares enough to want to get involved, and I’m glad he doesn’t necessarily come from that background,” Reynolds said. “He definitely has some connections and will be able to turn all of [his] other responsibilities into opportunities for the city.”
Ostini will begin in his official duties on July 1. Reynolds said Harrington is expected to return to his former seat on the Chamber’s Board of directors.
This article appears in May 5-12, 2011.