Callahan Creek, a Lawrence-based advertising and marketing firm, has presented its chief strategy officer with the additional title of president.

Tom Tholen, who joined the agency in 2005, takes over the president’s role previously held by agency owner and founder Cindy Maude, who remains chief executive officer.

Maude announced the change Thursday, saying Tholen’s leadership and creativity were necessary for the agency’s continued growth with existing and prospective clients.

“This is an exciting time for us, and Tom is the right person to help move the agency forward,” Maude said.

Maude said she would continue to focus on short- and long-term strategic initiatives, plus overall daily operations.

Tholen, she said, brings a wealth of experience to the job, both from the agency side and client side.

Before joining Callahan Creek as vice president of strategy and planning, Tholen served as executive vice president and director of account services for Valentine-Radford, Kansas City, Mo., where he worked to develop new business and lead the strategic process with agency clients. Before that his employers included Hallmark Cards, Sprint and General Electric.

Callahan Creek has 63 employees at its headquarters, 805 N.H., and another 18 in Torrance, Calif., home to one of the firm’s major clients: Toyota Motor Sales USA. Among the agency’s other major clients are Hill’s Pet Nutrition, in Topeka, and CommunityAmerica Credit Union, Sprint and Children Mercy Hospitals and Clinics.

Callahan Creek had sales last year of nearly $18 million, up from $15.4 million a year earlier and $8.4 million in 2006, when the firm had 50 employees overall.

Maude said she would continue working with clients, and concentrate on maintaining the firm’s culture as it continued to grow.