Anthony Hemstad, who revitalized the World Trade Center Tacoma over his five-year tenure, has parlayed his success into a new job, the first president of the new World Trade Center San Francisco.

Hemstad, who begins his new job Jan. 1, will be replaced by Valerie Coty on an interim basis. Coty works for Pierce County's Economic Development Department. She formerly served on the trade center's board of directors, three years as vice-chairman.

She will lead the trade center as the center's board embarks on a strategic review and decides how to fill the trade center's role in the future.

Hemstad said his leaving the Tacoma organization is "bittersweet."

"This is a great organization, and I'm a true believer in what expanding trade and attracting foreign direct investment can do for the local economy," he said.

During his nearly five years at the trade center's helm, the trade center became the fastest growing established World Trade Center in North America. Membership increased five-fold during Hemstad's leadership term.

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