After falling one vote short in October 2011 and in January 2012, Nimrod (Rod) Chapel Jr. is the NAACP's new state president in Missouri.
Chapel's was the only name on the ballot for state president, after another candidate was removed for failing to meet some of the criteria.
"The delegates, by an overwhelming majority, voted for me" during their state meeting Saturday morning in St. Louis, Chapel, an attorney, told the News Tribune.
The delegates also selected Jefferson City real estate agent Glenn Bonner as the state treasurer.
"I think it's just time that we allow the voice of the next generation to bring the same message of justice and equality in a different way," he said. "For a long time, the NAACP has worked to ensure that equality and justice were brought forward through the grass-roots organization - and we're going to keep doing that.
"There's still going to be agitation, but we're going to add a couple of additional components - litigation, in a more meaningful and sustained way regarding issues that affect civil rights - and then also review of legislation."
For example, he said, the state NAACP will testify against the proposed voter photo-ID bill at a hearing Tuesday.
Although they have testified on legislation in the past, Chapel said, the state group intends to be more aggressive.
"We will be releasing our legislative agenda at our (local) prayer breakfast on Jan. 18 - also commemorating Martin Luther King Day," he said.
Chapel said some in the state NAACP also want more use of technology and to work more "with our natural constituencies related to issues that affect Missouri."
Missourians should understand that the organization - originally known as the "National Association for the Advancement of Colored People" - is not a group that represents only African-American interests.
"Our leadership is multi-cultural and multi-faceted," he explained. "We've got Ph.Ds, lawyers, doctors, bureaucrats (and) people from every walk of life (and) every color. ...
"The gains that we make as an organization spread far and wide, to everybody who is young, old, male or female, able or disabled - and people of color and faith as well.
"The NAACP is here to stand for justice and equality for everyone."
Chapel has served for several years as president of the NAACP's Jefferson City Branch and said Saturday that he can continue in that role, as well.
Bonner is the Jefferson City Branch's first vice president and had been the local treasurer for a number of years.
"We're a good complement to each other," Chapel said, "and in particular, because he is the (state) treasurer, if there is a financial issue or a check that needs to be signed, it's important that we can be in close proximity to each other."
Chapel's previous election losses were to Mary Ratliff of Columbia, who headed the state NAACP for more than two decades - and they have tangled over some of the state group's priorities.
Ratliff chose not to seek re-election this year.
Chapel said Saturday she will remain on the executive committee.
"We aren't replacing the "old' leadership - we're just adding to it," he said. "She certainly has led the organization through turbulent times and issues that are complex, and we thank her for that."