The Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday announced that John Stanoch, an attorney and former judge who is now interim chief of the Science Museum of Minnesota, will serve as its interim leader.

Stanoch will lead the chamber through a transition period that began last week when Todd Klingel announced he would retire in June after 13 years as president and chief executive of the city's business lobby and trade group.

Stanoch will become interim president on April 1, when Klingel steps into a part-time role for his last three months at the chamber. Stanoch will stay on while the chamber's board searches for a permanent successor. A former member of the chamber's board, Stanoch says he will not be considered for the permanent position.

"My previous work on the chamber board, and with Todd in particular, should help make for a smooth transition as we continue the chamber's work," Stanoch said in a statement.

Stanoch is a former president of Qwest Communications in Minnesota and North Dakota, was chief deputy attorney general for the state of Minnesota, a Hennepin County judge and a senior state judge. He was also chief executive of Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Upper Midwest and served on a number of boards of business, education and charitable organizations.