Greater Lafayette Commerce (GLC) announced today that Scott Walker is stepping down from his role as president and CEO after a decade at the helm of the organization.
Walker has accepted a new role as CEO of the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance and Chamber, with his final day set for Jan. 15, 2025.
“Scott Walker’s leadership has been transformative for our community,” said Rachel Hazaray, chair of Greater Lafayette Commerce’s board of directors. “While we are saddened to see him go, we wish him success in his new position and are confident he will bring the same passion and expertise to Southwest Louisiana. It was a privilege to work alongside him.”
During his tenure, Walker built and led a highly successful economic development team that secured more than $2.5 billion in investments and facilitated the creation of over 5,000 new jobs.
Greater Lafayette Commerce also helped the region secure over $65 million in state funding from the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI). The region grew in population and prosperity, and, in 2021, Greater Lafayette was named “Community of the Year” by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.
“The vision of Greater Lafayette Commerce, combined with the collaborative spirit of our region, is creating unstoppable momentum and guiding Greater Lafayette in a bold new direction. It has been an honor to be part of this exciting transformation underway, and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together,” said Walker.
Under Walker’s guidance, GLC hosted more than 4,000 attendees at its events this year alone. To date, the organization boasts 1,100 members with a retention rate of 92 percent. Walker’s leadership also brought innovative talent attraction programs and strategic initiatives that enhanced the region’s workforce and business climate.
“Scott’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping our region’s growth and success,” said Tony Roswarski, mayor of the City of Lafayette. “From attracting major capital investments to fostering innovation in workforce development, Scott’s efforts have profoundly impacted Greater Lafayette. We are deeply grateful for his 10 years of service to our community.”
Erin Easter, mayor of the City of West Lafayette added, “Scott has been a valuable partner in bringing significant economic development projects to West Lafayette. His leadership has strengthened collaboration across our region, and we’re grateful for the foundation he has helped build. We look forward to continuing this work to support our community’s growth.”