The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday announced it has named one of its senior staff members as interim president.

Bill Blazar will fill the vacancy left by former President David C. Olson, who died July 16 at the age of 57 after an 18-month fight with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Olson had been president of the organization since 1991.

Blazar joined the chamber staff in 1992 and most recently served as senior vice president of public affairs and business development, according to a news release.

The board will discuss the search process for a permanent replacement at its annual planning retreat this month.

“The Minnesota Chamber is strong in spite of the devastating loss of its longtime president, David Olson,” said Jeff DeYoung, Minnesota Chamber board chairman. “Its vision and strategies are clear thanks to an engaged board of directors and dedicated staff, both of which have been built over many years.”

The Minnesota Chamber represents more than 2,300 companies across the state, 130 local chambers and 65 business trade associations at the Minnesota Legislature on a variety of issues that impact the growth and development of the state’s economy.