United Way of Southern Kentucky President and CEO Steve Wallace resigned from his position in December because of personal family health issues and the desire to pursue other opportunities, according to the organization’s board members.

The nonprofit is in no rush to fill Wallace’s former position, and Chief Operating Officer Debbie Hills will serve as interim CEO throughout the search process.

“We’re confident in running day-to-day operations. So, we don’t think filling the position is something we need to rush,” board chairwoman Ann Puckett said. “We wish him the best, but we need to move on and find the right path for us moving forward.”

Wallace held the CEO position with United Way for more than three years and was chosen after an extensive search done by a committee of 10 to 12 members, board member Mike Grubbs said.

“It actually took us almost a year because when we finished the process the first time, we weren’t satisfied with our selections. So, we went through the process twice,” Grubbs said.

Hills said the organization has been in the position of not having a CEO on staff in the past, and she is confident in United Way’s ability to move forward.

“Given the fact we have such a strong staff in place, we’re just moving forward with plans,” Hills said.

Puckett agreed that the nonprofit has a very experienced staff in place, and there hasn’t been much time for serious discussions about filling the position.

“We’re just coming out the fog of the holidays,” Puckett said. “It always affects an organization when you lose your ultimate leader, but the most important thing is to find the direction” to go from here.

Grubbs said Wallace is no longer involved with United Way, and he could not immediately be reached for comment.

“We’ll miss his skill, what he brought to the table and the expertise that he brought, (but) I think our plan is to operate as usual,” he said.

While operating as usual, United Way decided to make an expansion to its senior leadership team with the addition of Mandy Hicks as the senior director of marketing and communications.

“Mandy is a consummate marketing professional. Her direction in building presence for the United Way brand in our local community has established United Way as the premier organization for affecting community change,” Hills said in a news release.

— Follow faith/general assignments reporter Simone C. Payne on Twitter at twitter.com/_SimonePayne or visit bgdailynews.com.