Thomas Flavin tapped to lead Burbank Chamber of Commerce

The Burbank Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday named former Mayor Thomas Flavin its chief executive.

Flavin, 69, who served as mayor of the city from 1990 to 1991, begins May 1. He replaces Gary Olson, who retired in December after 11 years.

NEWSLETTER: Get the latest 818 headlines straight to your inbox >>

“I’m pleased to lead the chamber and to return to Burbank, where I think the possibilities are limitless,” Flavin said in a statement. “I look forward to partnering with our membership and key civic commercial institutions to help effect a new era of economic opportunity in the media capital of the world.”

Flavin lived in Burbank until 1994, when he decided to follow a job opportunity in Colorado. He lives in Ventura, but said in a phone interview that he is eager to move back.

“I still have friends [in Burbank],” he said, adding that he’s been keeping up with the news.

A seven-member special committee comprised of the chamber’s board of directors worked with consulting firm McIntyre-St. Clair LLC to find a new chief executive to represent about 1,000 businesses.

Flavin was previously the chief executive for the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership and head of Enterprise Seattle, an economic development organization.

“We could not be more excited to welcome back one of Burbank’s most effective civic leaders as our chief executive officer,” said Chamber President Nancy Guillen.

Flavin said he wants to help maintain and improve the job market in entertainment, media and healthcare.

“The high-wage job base is really what helps drive the standard of living of any region or community,” Flavin said. “We’re in a global competition right now for these kind of jobs, so I want to make sure we maintain and grow what we have.”

--

Anthony Clark Carpio, [email protected]

Twitter: @acocarpio