MORRISTOWN — The Morristown Chamber of Commerce is getting a new president who hopes to revitalize the organization.

Nathan Barker, owner of Main Street Books and Market, is taking over the Chamber’s leadership from outgoing president Herbert M. Holmes.

Mr. Holmes, owner of Sherlock Studio, said he is looking forward to the change.

“He is a very intelligent man; I thought, ‘hey, why not?’” said Mr. Holmes of Mr. Barker.

President of the chamber for the past 17 years, Mr. Holmes is also the last remaining executive board member. The Chamber’s membership has dwindled to only four who have stayed on because they rely on it for health insurance coverage.

“I’m losing my drive,” said Mr. Holmes. “I’ve been trying to find somebody who is capable of doing the job the way it should be done.”

Mr. Barker said his new position came about during an impromptu meeting between him and Mr. Holmes in the spring.

Mr. Holmes, speaking with Gateway Museum officials in Main Street Books and Market, mentioned the Chamber’s desire to help local businesses advertise.

“We have a chamber of commerce?” Mr. Barker said he asked, to which Mr. Holmes said yes and casually asked if Mr. Barker wanted to take it over.

“He’s been ready to hand over the reins for a couple of years,” said Mr. Barker, “when I expressed interest he was more than ready to pass it on.”

Because the Chamber is composed of an executive body of one, the decision to make the switch is solely the responsibility of Mr. Holmes.

Mr. Holmes said the Chamber’s membership has declined because, “generally speaking, the businesses have gone down and a lot of people don’t feel like it’s worthwhile.”

Mr. Holmes said he will stay on in an advisory position and assist with advertising. Mr. Barker will officially take over within the next two weeks, and hopes to launch an aggressive membership drive in the fall.

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