Ashton will replace David Nydegger who is retiring after nearly 19 years as CEO of the Oceanside Chamber. He will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Chamber including staffing, financial management and implementation of board policy and priorities.
"Scott's steady leadership and solid vision will keep the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce moving toward our mission to stimulate economic prosperity and foster a vibrant community,” said long-time Chamber Board member and Past-Chair, Marva Bledsoe, who also co-chaired the Search Committee.
Ashton is originally from Massachusetts and began his career at the South Shore Chamber of Commerce while attending graduate school at Suffolk University in Boston. He later accepted a position as Membership Director at the Cambridge (MA) Chamber of Commerce where he worked until moving to Oceanside in 1996.
Ashton is a graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organizational Management and is currently attending the three-year Chamber Academy program hosted by the Western Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (WACE). Ashton has been a frequent attendee and speaker at chamber industry conferences and serves on the Board of Directors of the Southern California Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (SCACCE).
In his former role at the Chamber, Ashton was instrumental in helping the Chamber gain visibility in the community by establishing a strong web and social media presence, putting the Chamber on the cutting edge within the industry. He also oversaw the organization’s publishing operation which produces three annual magazines and numerous special print projects.
“I am very excited and grateful for this opportunity to support our business community in this new capacity and to help continue the Chamber’s 120 year tradition of supporting business,” said Ashton.