Escondido Chamber of Commerce Sells Headquarters to Pay Off Debts

The decision comes after years of financial struggles following the abrupt departure of the previous CEO.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 11:05pm

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A photorealistic studio still-life image featuring a stack of financial documents, a broken piggy bank, and a set of keys on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the Escondido Chamber of Commerce's financial struggles and the need to find a new path forward.The Escondido Chamber of Commerce's financial troubles and the potential sale of its longtime headquarters building reflect the challenges facing local business organizations.Escondido Today

The Escondido Chamber of Commerce has decided to sell its headquarters on Broadway in order to pay off crippling debts that were left behind by its previous CEO, who abruptly resigned three years ago. The Chamber has been operating with an all-volunteer board since then, and hopes that the sale of the building will provide the necessary funds to hire staff, pay off outstanding obligations, and allow the organization to move forward.

Why it matters

The Escondido Chamber of Commerce has been a pillar of the local business community for over 130 years. Its financial troubles and potential closure would be a significant loss for the city, impacting the ability of local businesses to connect, network, and access resources. The sale of the headquarters building represents a last-ditch effort to save the organization and preserve its role in supporting the Escondido business ecosystem.

The details

The Chamber's financial woes can be traced back to 2023, when the previous CEO, James Rowten, abruptly resigned, leaving the organization with over $600,000 in debt, including a $250,000 line of credit that came due on April 1 of this year. With no paid staff and an all-volunteer board, the Chamber has struggled to maintain operations and pay its bills. The decision to sell the building, which was built about 20 years ago and is valued at $1.4 million, was made unanimously by the 13-member executive board in an effort to lift the organization out of debt, provide working capital, and potentially allow for the hiring of staff again.

  • In October 2023, former CEO James Rowten resigned by email and left the country, leaving the Chamber in a compromised financial position.
  • In June 2025, Deanna Smith was honored for her two years of service as the de facto CEO after Rowten's departure, but she subsequently resigned from the board within weeks, reportedly at the insistence of the city.
  • The Chamber executive board voted unanimously on March 29, 2026 to sell the headquarters building in order to pay off debts.

The players

Yessenia Mendoza

Chairwoman-elect of the Escondido Chamber of Commerce.

Kay Bates

Chairwoman of the Escondido Chamber of Commerce.

James Rowten

Former CEO of the Escondido Chamber of Commerce, who abruptly resigned in 2023, leaving the organization with over $600,000 in debt.

Deanna Smith

Former chairwoman of the Escondido Chamber of Commerce, who took over de facto leadership of the organization after Rowten's departure, but was later forced to resign at the insistence of the city.

Dane White

Mayor of Escondido, who declined to comment on the Chamber's situation.

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What they’re saying

“We've kept quiet. We tried to lie low. But we needed to answer the rumors and wrong information. It makes me feel disappointed. We kept pulling off successful events. We have kept the lights on.”

— Kay Bates, Chairwoman, Escondido Chamber of Commerce

“Deanna didn't do anything wrong. Matter of fact, she was here night and day, during the crisis. The city said, 'She's got to go.' And we still didn't get any assistance.”

— Yessenia Mendoza, Chairwoman-elect, Escondido Chamber of Commerce

“A Chamber of Commerce represents the heart and soul of the business community and should reflect the culture, values and successes that make us proud to be a part of something greater than ourselves. We need a strong, robust and innovative Chamber, one we can be proud to represent us.”

— George Weir, Former Chamber Stalwart

What’s next

The Chamber plans to hold its annual Installation later this year to honor local businesses, despite the financial challenges. The judge will also decide on Tuesday whether to allow former CEO James Rowten out on bail for his alleged role in the Chamber's financial troubles.

The takeaway

The Escondido Chamber of Commerce's decision to sell its headquarters building highlights the difficult financial realities facing the organization after years of mismanagement and lack of support from the city. While a sale could provide much-needed funds to stabilize the Chamber, it also raises questions about the long-term viability of the 130-year-old institution and the city's commitment to supporting its local business community.