LANSING, Mich., Oct. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Scott L. Holman, President & CEO of King Lake Wilderness, LLC, in the Upper Peninsula's Covington Township, has been elected Chair of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors starting January, 2014.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131022/DE02088 )

As Board chair, Mr. Holman will lead the State Chamber's 84-member board that establishes Michigan Chamber policy and priorities on major economic issues that affect job creation and business growth in Michigan. Mr. Holman will serve as Board chair for one year. 2013 Board Chair William A. Parlberg, President & Chief Operating Officer of Zehnder's of Frankenmuth, will continue to serve on the Chamber's Executive Committee as Immediate Past Chair.  

"We are delighted and honored to have Scott serve as Chair of the Michigan Chamber Board of Directors," said Michigan Chamber President & CEO Rich Studley. "Scott's extensive experience in manufacturing, banking, forest management and higher education will help guide the Chamber as we work to help shape Michigan's future through a vibrant and job-creating business community."

"Access to the formation of public policy is critical to the direction of every company large or small," noted Mr. Holman, "and the Michigan Chamber is the best partner any business owner/CEO can have in achieving that goal." 

An Upper Peninsula native and Northern Michigan University graduate, Mr. Holman's business career began in sales for the Upjohn Company and Lake Shore, Inc. He later managed a division of a fortune 300 company, Midland Ross, whose division assets he later used to buy and found Bay Cast, Inc., a steel foundry, as well as an engineering company, Bay Cast Technologies.

Mr. Holman is a founding director of 1^st State Bank in Saginaw and is the owner and operator of King Lake Wilderness in the Western U.P. He is an 18-year director of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and has served eight years as a director and vice chair of the Michigan Chamber. He has served as Trustee and Board Chair of Northern Michigan University as a Gov. Engler appointee. His interest in Michigan history has resulted in his purchase and restoration of Granite Island Light Station.

Mr. Holman is married to Martine Biancardini of Paris, France. They have three sons, one of whom is also a director of the Michigan Chamber Board. All three sons are engineers and now own and operate the Bay Cast Companies. Mr. Holman and his wife have nine grandchildren.

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is a statewide business organization representing approximately 6,400 employers, trade associations and local chambers of commerce. The Michigan Chamber represents businesses of every size and type in all 83 counties of the state. Michigan Chamber member businesses provide jobs to 1.5 million residents. One of every 2.6 employees in Michigan works for a Chamber member firm. The Michigan Chamber was established in 1959 to be an advocate for Michigan's job providers in the legislative, political and legal process. It is one of only six state chambers accredited by the U.S. Chamber and one of only four state chambers accredited with distinction.

SOURCE Michigan Chamber of Commerce