The Silicon Valley Organization has appointed Derrick Seaver as its new president and CEO.
Seaver formerly served as director of public policy from 2013-2017, when the organization was known as the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, and he was most recently the chief of staff for Santa Clara County Supervisor Susan Ellenberg. His appointment was the unanimous choice by the organization’s CEO search committee, according to the announcement.
“With his business and community service background, Derrick Seaver is the right person to lead the SVO forward, strengthening the positive leadership, commitment, and engagement of the organization,” said SVO Board Chair Glenn Perkins.
Seaver will replace interim CEO Bob Linscheild who stepped into the position in December 2020, after the resignation of former CEO and President Matt Mahood following the posting of racist political content on the group’s website. The posting enraged the region and led to an exodus of prominent business members amidst the public outcry that included local elected officials, candidates, and editorial boards.
In December, the board assumed full responsibility and blame for the ad, referencing a history of internal shortcomings that allowed the creation of the ads and a ‘pattern of insensitivity’ in PAC ads.
“I am deeply humbled by this opportunity to serve my dynamically diverse community and rebuild the bridges between our businesses and the people of this great Valley,” said Seaver. “It is this area’s entrepreneurship that in my eyes offers an equitable road to economic mobility for all of our residents and it is time to refocus on this promise. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and get to work.”
The SVO serves the San Jose/Silicon Valley Metro area as a chamber of commerce and currently represents more than 1,000 companies with over 300,000 employees.