A current chamber executive and longtime radio personality will serve as the interim president and CEO of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce.

Hank Booth will take over as the chamber’s interim leader once current president and CEO Tom Kern leaves on Sept. 2 for a similar job in Steamboat Springs, Colo.

“There is only one Hank, and he can get in doors and create conversations that are important for us to maintain during this transition,” said Cindy Yulich, chair of the chamber’s board of directors. “He was a natural choice.”

Booth currently serves as the chamber’s director of government and community affairs. Booth also is the former general manager and a longtime morning news and talk show host on Lawrence-based KLWN radio.

“I’ve spent my entire life in Lawrence and am honored to have the chance to lead the chamber during this transition,” Booth said in a release.

Booth said he would focus on maintaining relationships with community partners during this period of transition. Booth also said he does not intend to be a candidate for the president and CEO position.

Yulich said it is still too soon to estimate when the chamber will fill the position.