Greater Grays Harbor Inc. has named a new CEO to replace Dru Garson, who left the organization in April to take a position with the Association of Washington Business.

The new CEO is Lynette Buffington, who begins her new job in mid-July.

Buffington has most recently served as executive director of the Washington State Fraternal Order of Police, a statewide law enforcement association with close to 3,000 members. Her responsibilities included policy matters, communication and statewide outreach for the organization.

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to become the CEO/President of Greater Grays Harbor, Inc.,” she said. “The GGHI Board of Directors has been supportive, welcoming and enthusiastic throughout the hiring process and I look forward to working with such a dedicated and passionate group of business leaders. Grays Harbor County has tremendous potential to position itself as a business location and destination of choice and I look forward to working with the team at GGHI to make that happen.”

“The Board is very excited to have Lynnette Buffington join the Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. team,” Tony Enzler, Chairman of the GGHI board, said in a statement. “She has an energy and the experience to enhance the relationships for our members and strengthen our economic vitality during this challenging time. Her experience in chamber operations and creating actionable communication with policy makers in Olympia will be vital to achieving the goals set for GGHI. We look forward to working with Lynnette to generate and shape a better business community for all of Grays Harbor County.”

Before her post with the Fraternal Order of Police she served as Vice President of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber. Her management experience with several organizations gives her a background in policy as well as advocacy for those organizations at the local, state and federal level.

From 2007 to 2011, she was at Pacific Lutheran University as assistant athletic director, women’s soccer coach and director of soccer operations. She also spent three years as associate athletic director at Stevenson University in Maryland.

She is a native Washingtonian and holds a degree from Gonzaga. She has spent time in this area at a family cabin at Grayland.