Jim Tollefson will retire as president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii on Aug. 31.

When current Chief Operating Officer Sherry Menor-McNamara succeeds Tollefson, she will become the first female president and CEO in the chamber’s 162-year history.

Tollefson has served in his position for nearly 12 years and leaves a legacy of greatly expanding the organization’s visibility within the state, as well as strengthening its reputation and influence as a voice for the business community, according to a statement.

"Jim has been an outstanding leader for the chamber, where he has brought invaluable insight, expertise and perspective, and made significant contributions to our state and the community," said Barry Tani­gu­chi, chairman of the chamber’s board of directors and president of KTA Super Stores on Hawaii island.

Tollefson helped establish the Buy Hawaii program after the Sept. 11, 2001, economic crisis, as well as the Save the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard Coalition, which helped save it from closure; helped reform pet quarantine in Hawaii; and helped set up the chamber’s Young Professionals Program, among other initiatives.

Menor-McNamara joined the chamber in 2006 as director of business advocacy and was promoted to vice president of business advocacy and government affairs in 2007.

She has become a leading authority on business issues at the state Legislature over the years and in 2010 took on the role of COO, the chamber said in a statement.

"I have been impressed with Sherry’s vision, strategic acumen and knowledge of the community," said Virginia Pressler, former chamber chairwoman and executive vice president and chief strategic officer of Hawaii Pacific Health.

"She is tireless, dedicated and very bright. I have the utmost confidence that she will lead us well," Pressler said.

Menor-McNamara also serves as chairwoman of the Hawaii Health Connector interim board, overseeing creation of the Health Insurance Exchange mandated by the federal Affordable Care Act.

The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii has 1,000 member companies representing more than 200,000 employees.