In Memoriam: Celebrating the Life & Leadership of Wayne Griffin

WACE joins with the family, friends and colleagues of Wayne Griffin in expressing our sadness at his recent passing.   

Wayne was the CEO of the Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce for 26 years. During his professional career, Griffin earned the Accredited Chamber Executive designation (A.C.E.) from the Western Association of Chamber Executives (W.A.C.E.) in 1995 and was reaccredited in 2000, 2005 and 2010. He is a past recipient of W.A.C.E.’s Russell E. Pettit Excellence in Leadership Award. 

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Griffin was the co-founding Chair of W.A.C.E.’s Academy, and served as WACE Board Chair in 2008.  He is also a past Chairman of the California Travel Association (CalTravel), having led that organization in 2001-2002.

Wayne passed peacefully at home in Colorado Springs CO with his family by his side on June 20, 2024, after a seven-month battle with brain cancer. Wayne will be long remembered as a business and community leader, a civil servant, and a family man who put his wife, children and grandchildren above all else.

Mostly importantly, Wayne will be remembered for his laugh. Everyone who knew him loved his booming, belly shaking laugh that people swore could be heard from miles away.  We'll also miss his willingness to share, mentor, and be a friend to everyone he could.   

We are grateful to have known and loved him. He was the best of the best.

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