Dan Minahan succeeds Howard Schnoll as chairman of the board of directors of Milwaukee World Festival, Inc., the non-profit organization that operates Summerfest.

Schnoll steps down after serving in various capacities with the festival for 40 years.

Minahan, who is president and chief operating officer of Continental Properties Company, Inc., has been on the board since 2003, the year that Schnoll took over as chairman.

The 2008 Summerfest takes place June 26 to July 6 at Maier Festival Park.