The East County Economic Development Council has a new leader. Following a competitive nationwide search that drew more than 300 applicants, the nonprofit selected Matt Sanford to serve as its next president and CEO, stepping in to replace James Sly, who departed late last year to lead the Grossmont Healthcare District.

Sanford is scheduled to officially begin his role on March 23. In a post on LinkedIn, he said he was "honored to join San Diego East County EDC and looking forward to this next chapter, supporting East County businesses and shaping the ecosystem for what's to come."

Sanford brings nearly 20 years of experience in the San Diego County economic development landscape. Most recently, he served as Economic Development Director for the City of Carlsbad, overseeing business attraction and retention strategies and managing an annual budget of more than $1 million. Before that, he spent eight years as Senior Director of Economic Development for the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation, where he helped foster public-private partnerships and manage grant-funded programs in defense, technology, and life sciences.

He also played a role in developing Innovate78, a collaborative economic development partnership along the North County corridor.

Crucially for the communities he will now serve, Sanford is himself an East County resident. "I am honored to join the East County Economic Development Council and work alongside partners committed to strengthening East County's economy," he said in a release. "I look forward to building on ECEDC's strong foundation while expanding opportunities that support businesses, workforce development, and community prosperity."

ECEDC Co-Chair John Olsen said Sanford's "deep regional relationships and understanding of economic development will enable ECEDC to broaden its positive impact." Founded in 1984, the ECEDC is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit focused on business retention and expansion for East San Diego County.