Escondido Chamber of Commerce fires chief executive officer, staff

The Greater Escondido Chamber of Commerce has fired its President and Chief Executive Officer James “JR” Rowten, apparently as the result of a long-simmering conflict between board members and problems with finances.

The Chamber’s only other three employees, listed on the website as Marketing and Events Director Chris Cochran, Growth and Development Director Ruth Kingcade, and Digital Media and Events Coordinator Glori Weiss, were laid off soon afterward, according to reports.

“I am looking for a new role and would appreciate your support,” Kingcade posted Thursday on her LinkedIn account. “Thank you in advance for any connections, advice, or opportunities you can offer. #OpenToWork”

Kingcade had worked at the Chamber a little less than two years. Cochran was at the Chamber for more than five years. Before that he was community relations manager at Stone Brewing in Escondido, where he worked more than 15 years.

Voicemails left at the Chamber offices Wednesday and Thursday were not returned. Board members were reluctant to talk about the situation and some did not return phone calls or respond to emails.

One board member, who asked not to be named, disputed some of the details in news stories about the layoffs and said, “Nobody got their facts right.”

According to reports, the Chamber’s financial records were unclear and in recent months it was paying bills with a line of credit that ran out. With no money left for the payroll, the board voted this month to lay off the employees and rely instead on volunteers.

Rowten is no longer listed with the employees on the Escondido Chamber’s website and did not respond to an email requesting comments.

He reportedly removed all his personal items from his office last week before leaving on what was said to be a long-planned trip with his wife to Italy.

A news release by board Chair Deanna Smith published Oct. 5 in the online Escondido Times-Advocate said the Chamber was undergoing “a transformative reorganization,” but mentioned nothing about Rowten or new Chamber leadership.

“Together, let’s embrace this opportunity for renewal and growth,” Smith said in the release. “Our dedicated team of volunteers is committed to re-energizing the Chamber and ensuring it remains a dynamic and effective resource for local businesses.”

Smith, who has been the board chair for about three months, did not return messages left at her business, Deanna’s Gluten Free Bakery in Escondido.

Board member Jim Vander Spek deferred questions about the layoffs to Smith in an email Friday.

“Deanna Smith is the chair and speaks for the board,” he said, and he spoke highly of Rowten.

“I miss ‘JR’ and have admired his tremendous work effort and the good he has done for the Chamber and the community,” Vander Spek said. “He is missed.”

Rowten was hired in 2019 after nine years as the Southern California corporate development manager for KPBS, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Escondido police Lt. Suzanne Baeder said Thursday that other than news reporters no one has contacted the Police Department about any crimes, financial or otherwise, that may have occurred at the Chamber.

The Escondido Chamber was founded in 1895 and officially incorporated in 1919, according to the organization’s website.