COEUR d'ALENE - From interim to full time.

The Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors hired interim CEO Steve Wilson as its official president and CEO, the board announced Friday.

Wilson, who filled in after former CEO Todd Christensen departed in July, was selected after a nationwide search for a replacement.

"We are extremely pleased that after a nationwide search, the top candidate for the position was from right here in Coeur d'Alene," said Skip Peterson, board chairman, in a press release.

The chamber did not hire a search agency, but advertised the position itself. It received a lot of interest, and in the end Wilson earned the spot over "several" applicants, Peterson told The Press.

Wilson has long been involved with the chamber and served as chairman of the chamber board in 2010.

He previously was general manager of The Coeur d'Alene Resort and more recently performed the same job at the Best Western Coeur d'Alene Inn.

From 1980 to 1984 Wilson was the Idaho state travel director.

"The opportunity to work with a great team to serve our dynamic chamber is exciting" Wilson said in the press release. "Coeur d'Alene is a great community and I am humbled to be given this opportunity."

Christensen, who replaced longtime CEO Jonathan Coe in January 2010, departed from the chamber for unspecified reasons after less than two years on the job. Wilson, who has lived in Coeur d'Alene for three decades, filled in as interim president shortly after.

"He brings a proven track record of leadership and team building that will tremendously benefit our chamber," Peterson said.

The Coeur d'Alene chamber represents a membership of roughly 1,200, and works to strengthen the economic climate of the Coeur d'Alene area.

In addition to his involvement with the chamber, Wilson has served on the board of the EXCEL foundation, is a past Rotarian and Jaycee member and was vice chairman of Coeur d'Alene Convention and Visitors Bureau.