The Board of Governors of Colorado State University has chosen its own vice chairman, Joe Blake, as the sole finalist for the new position of chancellor of the university system, the board announced today.

The previous chancellor, Larry E. Penley, also served as president of the flagship campus, at Fort Collins, but after his resignation in November, the board decided to separate the positions.

Douglas L. Jones, the board’s chairman, told The Chronicle in March that the governors would seek a nontraditional, CEO type for a chancellor, preferably someone with “good knowledge of Colorado business and politics.” That person would be based in Denver, where the board has its headquarters. “We need somebody who is raising the flag every day in Denver for Colorado State University,” Mr. Jones said.

Mr. Blake, who is president and chief executive officer of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, was one of two finalists recommended to the board by the search committee. The other finalist was not identified. The board interviewed both finalists today, then publicly voted to make Mr. Blake the sole finalist.

Mr. Blake did not participate in any search-committee discussions, The Denver Post reported.

A 14-day public notice must follow before he can be officially offered the job. —Charles Huckabee