After two months in the state, and two weeks in the Chamber, new Chief Executive Officer Matthew Bott is fitting in just fine; he likes to run and fish, and he and his wife are even teaching their 3-year-old son to snowboard.

“There is no place I’d rather live than the Northwest,” he said. “I’ve traveled to almost every state, and there’s not a lot of places like Issaquah, with the mix of caring citizens, and the uniqueness of the business culture and climate. And there’s so much potential to grow here.”

Even during tough times.

A great school district, beautiful natural setting, and good partnership with the city are all reasons he said business will continue to flourish.

Leveraging those assests to the business community, along with increasing chamber membership, are Bott’s key goals.

“I want to see us really break records in terms of membership,” he said. “I want us to reach everyone from mom-and-pop small businesses to the major corporations that are located here.”

He hopes to reach as much as 700 members. Currently, the Chamber is at just over 400.

And thanks to a former marketing job for the Kappa Sigma Fraternity International headquarters, Bott has had some experience growing membership.

He plans to gain members by emphasizing the importance of a group like the Chamber during a bleak economy.

“It’s something that’s starting to hit every community,” he said. “And it just makes membership in this kind of an organization more valuable, because you’re making those business leads, you’re getting those networking opportunities, and smaller businesses can view the Chamber as a sort of mentor during tough times.”

Recently relocated from Washington, D.C., Bott has never had Chamber experience before, but has been involved in civic organizations for years. He has a bachelor’s degree in politcal science from Boise State University, where he served as student body president, and a master’s in business administration from George Washington University.

He found the job after scouring Craigslist.com, and said after his first interview, realized that it was the right fit.

His first few weeks have sped by as he continues to meet with business owners and community leaders, attend Chamber functions and retreats, and prepare for the annual gala this month.

Chairman of the Board of Directors Bob Ittes said the Chamber is excited to have Bott on board, and praised him for his flexibility.

“It was the effort of the (search) committee to find the right person, and we truly believe that in Matthew we found that,” Ittes said. “He’s getting acclimated, and basically going through a crash course, but he’s handling it very well. He definitely knows what to do when he grabs hold of the assignment.”

Bott, who currently lives in Seattle with his family but is hoping to move to Issaquah, said he is impressed by the attitude of business owners, and the long-range goals they set, despite the sour economy.

It’s unique to find a business culture so invested in the community, he said.

“We’ve got the critical components here. We are a destination location,” he said. “And we’ll come out of this (economic) slump stronger than we were before, because we’ve got that strong workforce, natural beauty, great leaders and great schools.”