The search to find a successor for Greater Spokane Incorporated President and CEO Rich Hadley has resulted in a second interview for one finalist who will return to Spokane later this month. 

Linda Elkins, Spokane-based regional president of U.S. Bank and GSI’s chairwoman-elect who is serving as co-chairperson of the search committee, says the committee has completed the first round of interviews with six candidates, following an almost year-long national search.

“This finalist has 30 years of experience in small-business management, as an executive in chamber advocacy, as well as experience in executive leadership with a bistate regional chamber,” Elkins says, though she declines for now to disclose the candidate’s name. 

The candidate stands out, Elkins says, because of a combination of success in major areas of growth GSI is interested in pursuing. She says the 17-member committee will make an assessment after the finalist has completed the second interview. 

“We want to make sure we have the right combination of experience and attributes to take GSI to the next level,” she adds. “Once we go through the second-interview process, the GSI board of trustees, representatives of our top investors, and several small business representatives will make a decision.”

Hadley is scheduled to retire May 9.