The Lawrence Chamber of Commerce announced Thursday that Beth Johnson, vice president of economic development since 2006, will be taking a similar position with the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce.

Hank Booth, the Lawrence chamber’s interim president, called the move a great opportunity for Johnson.

“We hate to lose Beth Johnson, but it says a great deal about the respect people have for the work she does,” Booth said.

Johnson’s track record was touted in a news release issued by the Overland Park Chamber on Thursday.

“Beth has an impressive knowledge and record of success in the economic development industry, and we are pleased to have someone of her caliber joining our economic development team,” said Tracey Osborne, president of the Overland Park Chamber.

Johnson, whose new role will be as senior vice president of economic development, is the second high-level Lawrence chamber employee to step down in recent months.

In September, Tom Kern stepped down from his position as president of the chamber to take a similar position in Steamboat Springs, Colo. Booth has been interim president since, and he said chamber officials will meet next week with a consulting firm regarding filling the president’s position. Booth said it’s possible the firm will also conduct the search for Johnson’s replacement.