Gochnour's appointment was effective Friday.

Gochnour previously was vice president for policy and communications at the chamber, a position she held for two years.

She will be in charge of daily operations of Utah's largest business association. She will oversee the chamber's public policy agenda to improve Utah's business climate.

Before joining the chamber, Gochnour was a counselor to Mike Leavitt, secretary of the Department of Health and Human services. Earlier, she was associate administrator for public affairs at the Environmental Protection Agency.

Gochnour worked for 18 years in Utah state government, serving at various times as the governor's deputy for policy and communications, deputy director of the governor's Office of Planning and Budget, planning coordinator and economist.

Peterson was the chamber's chief operating officer for 12 years. He left the chamber to become program director of the Utah International Trade and Diplomacy office at GOED.