Rotorua Chamber of Commerce chief executive Darrin Walsh is predicting "exciting times" for the organisation under new president John McRae, partner with Deloitte Rotorua.
"We've got a new look board and some people with very good business heads," he said.
Mr McRae was the only name put forward for the presidency under the new system approved at last month's annual meeting, in which the president is chosen by the board rather than the membership at large.
The board, which named Gavin Long, of Westpac, as treasurer, also includes re-elected/new members Geoff Rice, Bryce Heard, Colin MacPhee, Allison Lawton and Richard Fullard, and co-opted members Tamati Coffey, Dharmen Prasad and Aladina Harunani.
Outgoing president Kathy Harker, who was entitled to remain an ex officio board member for a year, chose to tender her resignation. "I think it's a very exciting time for chamber," said Mr Walsh. "And that's taking nothing away from what Kathy has done on the board and for the past two years as president."