Yuma County Chamber of Commerce Appoints New Executive Director

YUMA, AZ – August 26, 2026 – The Yuma County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the appointment of Ben Smithwick as its new Executive Director. In this leadership role, Smithwick will provide visionary direction and operational oversight to champion the interests of the local business community and promote economic vitality throughout Yuma County, Arizona.

“As a frequent visitor to Yuma County, I have always appreciated the vibrancy of this business community and everything this incredible region has to offer,” said Smithwick. “I am honored to take on this role to support our local businesses, and I am thrilled to make Yuma my home.”

Smithwick brings a strong background in executive leadership, revenue generation, event planning, and communications to the Chamber. Previously, he spent over a decade at the Pacific Research Institute, a national nonprofit think tank, where he served as the Vice President of Development. During his tenure, he successfully spearheaded development initiatives that resulted in significant revenue growth for the organization. He also acted as a key ambassador for the Institute, working with diverse constituencies to advance public policy that strikes down barriers to economic growth and innovation, including within the agricultural sector.

Before transitioning to the nonprofit sector, Smithwick built a successful career in journalism. As a news editor at Fox News in Los Angeles, he oversaw digital coverage of national and international breaking news. Prior to that, he served as a local news reporter in Santa Barbara, California, where he covered city and county government, K-12 and higher education, and community events.
 

A native of Connecticut, Smithwick holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Connecticut, where he graduated from the university’s Honors Scholar program.