The Chamber SWLA/Alliance, a leading regional economic development organization, is has appointed Scott A. Walker as the new Ppresident and CEO.

Walker will assume the role on Feb. 10, 2025, and will be responsible for guiding the organization through its next phase of growth and further advancing economic development in Southwest Louisiana.

Walker brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in economic development, business management, and community collaboration. He has a proven track record of driving significant economic growth, creating jobs, and fostering partnerships that have helped transform communities.

Walker is the president and CEO of the Greater Lafayette Commerce in Lafayette, Ind, (2015-present). There he built and led a highly successful economic development department,
securing over $2.5 billion in investment and the creation of more than 5,000 new jobs. He developed innovative talent attraction programs and led major strategic initiatives that positively impacted the region’s workforce and business climate.

He was the chief executive officer of Midland Tomorrow in Midland, Mich., from 2004 to 2014, attracting more than $1 billion in new investments and creating more than 2,000 jobs. He also launched a $17 million redevelopment initiative and developed a SmartZone to foster innovation and entrepreneurial growth.

He was also the Six Sigma Black Belt and senior account manager at TRW Chassis Systems in Detroit from 1995 to 2004. Walker’s career began in the automotive industry, where he led Six Sigma projects and successfully negotiated multi-million-dollar contracts with major corporations like General Motors, achieving a company record in gross profit margins.

As the new president and CEO, Walker will be responsible for leveraging regional assets to stimulate economic development, enhance workforce initiatives, and attract new talent to Southwest Louisiana; building relationships with local, state, and national leaders to champion the region’s economic priorities and promote collaboration across sectors; advancing economic growth, business climate improvements, and job creation in the five-parish region of Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, Beauregard and Allen parishes; and ensuring the Chamber remains a strong voice on key issues, including infrastructure, workforce development, and quality of life.

The search for the new president and CEO was managed by Jorgenson Pace, an executive search firm based in Greensboro, N.C.