John H. “JJ” Hollie will be taking over as The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce CEO and president Sept. 1. He replaces Karen Hoylman, who announced in May that she would retire from the position.

Hollie said his focus as chamber CEO will be on continuing to build on the success the chamber has already enjoyed over the past 21 years due Hoylman’s leadership.

“This is a tremendous organizaton with a phenomenal foundation,” Hollie said. “Outstanding members, board chairs, board of directors, past chairmen, great volunteers, phenomenal staff—we are very well-positioned. So there will be some things we entertain as there are changes. There will be tweaks and small moves to an already very successful formula.”

Hollie, who is leaving his job as an international and consumer data products manager to start full-time in his new role, said he has been involved with the chamber since he moved to The Woodlands area in 2007.

“Karen and I talked, and I knew she was going to retire,” Hollie said. “And people mentioned to me that this might be a good fit. So I submitted my resume.”

After a search committee narrowed down the list of candidates from 25-30 applicants, some of them international, Hollie said he was one of three finalists.

The board announced the selection of Hollie on July 15.

As for the “JJ” in his name, Hollie is not as forthcoming.

“JJ’s been my nickname ever since I was little bitty,” he said. “That’s a secret.”