While United Way Tar River Region will lose its longtime executive director, Ginny Mohrbutter, on Friday, a recently formed transition committee is ensuring the change is seamless and the organization continues to move forward.

After a six-year tenure during which she helped the nonprofit agency raise approximately $7.2 million, Mohrbutter will join the Cummins-Rocky Mount Engine plant as its new corporate responsibility leader.

Alan Davis, an 18-year United Way Tar River Region veteran and the organization’s assistant director and chief financial officer, will fill in as interim director while the committee conducts a national search for a candidate to step in to the top position.

“I’ve been working at United Way since 1994, so it was just a natural fit for me to serve as the interim director,” Davis said. “I’m looking forward to doing whatever I can to help the organization achieve its goals.”

With the wide reach and diverse responsibilities of the United Way, the organization will look for an individual with strong local nonprofit experience, preferably within the United Way as well as an individual who possesses excellent communication and leadership skills, according to a press release.

“Our new executive director will need to hit the ground running, with nonprofit experience, enthusiasm, leadership and excellent public speaking skills in order to continue the momentum we have built over the last few years,” said Chris Miller, chairwoman of United Way Tar River Region board of directors. “With the important work of United Way in our community, finding the best candidate, who can continue to move us forward, is vitally important to all of us.”

Miller said the transition committee will be accepting resumes until March 15.

The committee will strain the resumes to identify the most suitable applicants, and then share those names with the executive committee. Members of the executive committee will divide up into separate panels to interview the candidates about their histories and skill sets, Miller said.

During Mohrbutter’s tenure, United Way has surpassed its yearly fundraising goals, increased important community partnerships, created a long-range community impact plan and established new programs like NC 211.

Miller said the incoming executive director will need to move these and other projects forward in the organization while looking for new opportunities to better serve our community.

Mohrbutter said her successor needs to be able to hit the ground running and be passionate about helping to improve lives in and around the community.

“I care so much about United Way and all we do in the community,” she said. “We’ve been working hard to create a great transition plan to move the organization forward.”

She said she still is optimistic the United Way’s community fundraising campaign, an effort to raise $1.26 million, will reach its goal. The United Way contributions support a network of 21 partner agencies and more than 40 health and human service programs that work together to strengthen the community.

Candidates wanting to learn more about the position should visit the United Way Tar River Region website or submit resumes to edposition@rockymountnc.com.