Executive Team: Nick Ortiz
Nick Ortiz
Vice President, Small Business Advocacy
Nick Ortiz served as vice president of small business advocacy and head of the newly created CalChamber Small Business Policy Center from October 2023 to the end of September 2024. The center focuses on mobilizing the power of small businesses in grassroots advocacy at the State Capitol, building on the CalChamber legacy of partnering with local chambers across the state to improve California’s business and jobs climate.
In addition to enhancing the efforts of small business employers to let policy makers know how government requirements affect the day-to-day workings and profitability of small companies, Ortiz served as an information resource for and CalChamber liaison with local chambers of commerce.
Before joining the CalChamber team in February 2023, Ortiz was president and CEO of the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce. During his tenure there from April 2015 to February 2023, the Bakersfield Chamber experienced membership and revenue growth and successfully executed several key initiatives, including the Bakersfield-Kern Regional Branding Initiative; the campaign to pass Measure N, the City of Bakersfield Public Safety and Vital Services Initiative; the launch of B3K Prosperity; and, most recently, bringing the California Economic Summit to Bakersfield.
Ortiz’s previous experience includes positions with the Western States Petroleum Association, PG&E, Assemblywoman Nicole Parra, United Way and the Silicon Valley Leadership Group.
He is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Cruz.
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Small Business Policy Center
The CalChamber Small Business Policy Center was created in October 2023 to focus on mobilizing the power of small businesses in grassroots advocacy at the State Capitol.
Local Chamber Relations
The Local Chamber Relations Department is responsible for local chamber relations.