Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center Executive Director Rick McCue is set to retire.

McCue first got involved with SKyPAC when he became chairman of the Capitol Arts Alliance, which at the time was working to bring a larger performing arts center to Bowling Green, in 1998.

“It’s been very gratifying to have a facility like this in a town our size,” he said of SKyPAC, which opened in 2012.

In 2016, shortly after retiring as WBKO-TV’s general manager, McCue became interim director of SKyPAC after the departure of previous executive director Jan Zarr.

McCue has been serving as executive director since July 2016.

“I felt like it was the right time,” he said of his retirement. “I was ready to do it, so I did it.”

McCue said SKyPAC has been instrumental in developing Bowling Green’s downtown and increasing the area’s quality of life.

A news release from SKyPAC said McCue submitted a retirement notice Wednesday. He will stay with SKyPAC as executive director until a replacement is found. A search committee will be formed.

In the release, SKyPAC board chairman Kirk Pierce said the board appreciates McCue’s years of work with SKyPAC.

“The Board is thankful for Rick’s years of service and leadership,” Pierce said in the release. “We understand and support his decision and are grateful for his many accomplishments. We wish him and his family the very best on his 2nd retirement.”