Steven Hoffman was successful at just about everything he did during his long business management career but, even by his own admission, his latest venture was proving difficult to master.

“I was failing at retirement,” said the affable 64-year-old Lincoln resident, who is the new chairman of the state Cannabis Control Commission regulating the emerging legal marijuana industry in Massachusetts.

With his golf game going south rather than improving, Hoffman said he was on the lookout for “new challenges.” But after a career that included being a partner at Bain and Company and stints as CEO and top executive at management consulting firms, he wanted to change direction.