Matthew Bott has resigned as chief executive officer of the Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce. Bott has accepted a position with Sound Transit as the East King County Government & Community Affairs Officer.

He has been CEO of the chamber for the past six years.

During Bott’s tenure at the chamber, membership has grown by over 20 percent, which is among the highest in the chamber industry during the Great Recession. His tenure also included a focus on developing the organization’s government affairs, community engagement and economic development initiatives and helping to ensure the business community is engaged in issues and opportunities of critical importance to Issaquah’s future.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve the chamber and the Issaquah community over the past six years, and have appreciated the chance to work with so many talented and dedicated individuals on the chamber board and staff as well as across Issaquah” said Bott. “I look forward to staying closely involved with the Issaquah community in my new role.”

Alan Finkelstein, chairman of the board for the chamber, noted “Matt has led the chamber into a new era of engagement in public policy as it relates to economic development in Issaquah. The chamber intends to maintain its role in promoting Issaquah and Issaquah based businesses. The development in the Highlands, Talus, Swedish Hospital and the Costco corporate expansion, among other projects, has created great opportunities for Issaquah. The chamber will continue to work with the city to ensure that future development continues to flourish while preserving Issaquah’s unique character.”

The chamber has 445 member companies and individuals. It is best known for the annual Salmon Days Festival and other events like Chocolate, Wine and All That Jazz and Beat the Winter Brews.

The board will announce plans for the CEO search in the coming weeks. Inquiries can be directed to Terri Campbell at 425-392-7024 or tcampbell@issaquahchamber.com.