CUMBERLAND — The e-mail handle “k8zdad” might have played a role in Kolin Jan being selected as the new president of the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce.

Board chairman Steve Nelson made the announcement Wednesday, saying the seven-member search committee had hired a dedicated family man and a respected professional who was looking for a way to give back to the community.

“That probably tells you volumes itself, doesn’t it,” Nelson asked rhetorically when providing Jan’s e-mail address, which refers to “Katie’s Dad.”

“In addition to being very qualified, this is a guy who genuinely loves this area,” Nelson said. “He’s going to be a big champion for it.”

It’s the second straight time the chamber has reached into the well of retirement for a new president. Former president Barb Buehl, who now focuses solely on county tourism, was persuaded to come out of retirement when she accepted the position.

Jan, 56, retired from ATK Tactical Systems in 2007 as vice president of industrial relations. He’s set to begin work Monday. The Lakewood, W.Va., resident has one son, Bryan Jan, 31, in the Army. Katie Jan, 14, is an eighth-grader at Frankfort Middle School.

Nelson said he was selected from a pool of four finalists by the chamber’s search committee, comprised of himself, Rick Collins, Stu Czapski, Mark Widmyer, Rick Hoover, Karen Johnson and Sheri Sensabaugh. While there was a consensus as to a final recommendation to the chamber’s executive board, the search committee’s initial finding was not a unanimous one, Nelson said.

“We encourage opposite positions and challenged each other” during the selection process, Nelson said. “I think that was the beauty of the committee as a whole. It was a very diverse group with a difference of opinions.”

Nelson said in the end, Jan’s proven leadership, knowledge of the community and widespread respect won out. Only a change in the chamber’s hiring process allowed Jan to apply for the job. At first, the chamber was determined to maintain the status quo and require its next president to live in Allegany County.

Jan, a retired U.S. Navy aviator, said associates and friends encouraged him to apply once that restriction was lifted. He said his “varied background” could be an asset. His approach is a multifaceted one, which includes cooperation, education and legislation.

He said no one organization can accomplish everything and that a regional perspective in this rural community is important. Unlike Buehl, who wore hats for both tourism and business interests until Dec. 31, Jan’s focus will be on business retention and the development of new possibilities.

“We have a regional economy here,” Jan said. “Take a look at the commuting patterns here. My experience at ATK is a prime example. Over half of (the work force) comes from Maryland” and Pennsylvania. “To just live in a stovepipe is a big mistake.”

Jan said more can be accomplished in the Maryland General Assembly “when you have a coalition working toward an objective.”

“If we in Mountain Maryland can work together on some issues ... perhaps a little more attention will be paid (to the area) in Annapolis.”

Jan has been active in the community since his retirement. He is a graduate of Leadership Allegany! and has served on the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce board, the Mineral County (W.Va.) Planning Commission and The Greater Cumberland Committee.

The chamber had been acting without a president since Jan. 1, when Buehl resigned from the position to focus on county tourism. Buehl remains under contract with the chamber through June 30.

Contact Kevin Spradlin at kspradlin@times-news.com.