Topeka ? The Kansas Chamber of Commerce has decided its interim president and chief executive officer can keep the job.

The business group says its board of directors has promoted Kent Beisner by ending his interim status as the chamber’s top staff member.

Beisner had been interim president and CEO since January, when former President Amy Blankenbiller left to pursue other opportunities.

After a 33-year career in private business, Beisner joined the chamber in September 2008 as vice president of membership.

The chamber has been at odds this year with Gov. Mark Parkinson and fellow Democrats who pushed successfully for an increase in the state’s sales tax to prevent budget cuts.