County's Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Announces Retirement

After 30 years as the president and CEO of the Redwood City-San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce, Larry Buckmaster has announced his retirement.

His retirement will take effect this Thursday, Jan 31.

Among many other accomplishments, Buckmaster is credited with starting the Chamber's 26-year-old Leadership Redwood City/Belmont/San Carlos Program.

"[The program] has graduated close to 800 graduates, filling our communities with informed and engaged leaders," Chamber representatives said in a statement last week. "Many of those holding key roles in our communities today are graduates."

Under his leadership, the flagship event of the Chamber, its Progress Seminar, grew from a small, local event to a Bay Area-wide event that now regularly attracts more than 300 attendees each year.

"This has become the triple-crown of regional summits," the statement read.

Buckmaster also founded the Kainos Benefit Golf Tournament which, over the course of the its history, has raised more than $750,000 for Kainos.

"Under his strong leadership, everyone became aware that the Redwood City-San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce was one of the premiere Chambers of Commerce statewide," Chamber representatives said.

Reflecting on his time with the organization, Buckmaster said, "I have enjoyed my 30 years with the Chamber, and feel proud of its many accomplishments that we achieved during this period. This could not have been accomplished without the strong, dedicated volunteer base of our Chamber."

Tom Mohr, the former president of Redwood City's Cañada College, said to Buckmaster, "You have been a marvelous leader and most effective manager of the Chamber and all its initiatives. Your legacy is powerful; the entire community has been deeply affected."

"No one I have met in Redwood City has done more community building and guided more community building than you," he added. "It is such a great pleasure to observe your skillful relationship development in every category of Chamber endeavors. I marvel at what you have accomplished. Your legacy will be a driving force for many years to come."

Amy Buckmaster, the Chamber's vice president of marketing and programs, has been named interim president and CEO, effective Feb. 1. 

Do you know Larry Buckmaster? Has your business or organization been helped by the Chamber under his leadership? Tell us in the comments below.

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