Conference USA’s Board of Directors on Friday named Judy MacLeod as the league’s interim commissioner, effective Sept. 15.

MacLeod will fill the role vacated by Britton Banowsky, who announced in July he’s stepping down as C-USA commissioner to serve as the executive director of the College Football Playoff Foundation and further his work with a number of other nonprofit organizations.

Banowsky served as commissioner for nearly 13 years.

MacLeod joined the conference staff in 2005 and has been C-USA’s executive associate commissioner/chief operating officer since April 2006.

Both she and Banowsky played pivotal roles in Western Kentucky gaining membership to the league.

Prior to joining Conference USA, MacLeod spent the previous 15 years at the University of Tulsa, including the last 10 as the athletic director. She has served on numerous NCAA committees, recently completing her terms on both the Division I Men’s Basketball Committee and the Administration Cabinet.

“We are very fortunate to have someone with Judy’s experience leading us,” said John R. Broderick, Old Dominion president and chair of the C-USA Board of Directors, in a news release. “She is well qualified and very well-respected throughout college athletics.”

The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, with representation from the C-USA membership governance groups and in conjunction with Legal Counsel Kevin Sweeney, will manage the search process for a new commissioner.