The Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce will have a new president on board next month. Kelvin Hullet, of Lincoln, Neb., has accepted the job and will start June 2.

"We had a number of qualified candidates for the committee to evaluate," said Dave Froelich, chairman of the chamber's board of directors. "While his resume speaks for itself, Kelvin also comes highly recommended by business community leaders and elected officials in Lincoln."

Hullet is a public relations account executive at Bailey Lauerman, a marketing-communications firm in Lincoln. He also served as the vice president of government affairs for the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce for four years.

"Kelvin is bringing with him the right mix of enthusiasm and experience," Froelich said.

Hullet has a master's degree in community and regional planning from the University of Nebraska, a bachelor's degree in history from Kansas State University and an associate's degree in broadcast journalism-communications from Colby Community College.

"From my recent visit and conversations with community leaders, it is apparent that this is a great organization in a progressive city, and I look forward to aggressively working with each member in pursuing successful programs," Hullet said.

Gaining a top chamber job was a goal, Hullet said. His time with Bailey Lauerman was the next logical step, he said. He spent time working with the Nebraska Jobs Coalition on a statewide economic development project while with the marketing firm.

Hullet said he has some ideas for the chamber, but likely will spend the first month meeting as many local people as possible.

"I'm really looking forward to getting up to Bismarck-Mandan," he said.

Hullet and his wife, Amy, also enjoyed the city during their visit, he said. Their family includes sons Clayton, 12, and Landon, 6.

Hullet replaces Dave MacIver, who after 22 years with the chamber took a job at the beginning of April as president of the Greater North Dakota Association. The opening drew about 60 applicants and three finalists were interviewed last week.

(Reach reporter Mark Hanson at 250-8264 or mark@ndonline.com.)