Chamber post goes political.

With the recent hiring of Robyn Ritter Simon, the traditionally low-profile post of Century City Chamber of Commerce president has suddenly taken on political overtones.

Simon, who ran unsuccessfully for an L.A. City Council seat four years ago, said one of the reasons she applied was to boost her profile on the Westside in preparation for another run in 2009. "The political profile of the position certainly was in the back of my mind," Simon said.

She was one of 11 candidates who ran for the 5th District L.A. City Council seat in 2001. At that time, she was known primarily as the founder of Beverlywood Moms, a parental support group for local public schools.

Simon failed to make the runoff, which was ultimately won by prosecutor Jack Weiss, who had the backing of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.

Shortly after her defeat, Simon joined the L.A. Chamber as its marketing and communications director.

Earlier this year, there was a game of chamber musical chairs, starting when the chief executive of the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce left for a job on the East Coast. That prompted longtime Century City Chamber of Commerce president and chief executive James Lynch to apply for the Beverly Hills chamber post, which he got. In turn, an opening was created at the Century City chamber.

Being a chamber president gives a candidate local stature that can be helpful when several candidates are vying for a spot.

Staff reporter Howard Fine can be reached at [phone], ext. 227, or at [e-mail].