A leader with more than 20 years of experience in Ohio’s county board system will temporarily serve the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities —maintaining consistent support to staff and families — while the search for a permanent superintendent continues.

Wendy Gorrell, who has been the Superintendent of the Morgan County Board of DD in McConnelsville since 2014, will take on the role of LCBDD Superintendent/CEO on an interim basis. Her first official day will be April 7.

Current Superintendent/CEO, Dr. Jason Umstot announced in early March that he will be leaving LCBDD on April 4, to accept a position as Policy Director for the Ohio Health Care Association.

The Ohio Revised Code allows a county board’s Board of Directors to appoint an interim superintendent for up to six months, while a permanent leader is found and hired.

Gorrell was appointed by LCBDD’s board at a special meeting on March 12.

“Wendy is an excellent leader and I know she will do a great job of ensuring that the high quality services and supports we provide in Licking County will continue,” Umstot said. “She will be the ideal person to guide LCBDD through a seamless transition to the new, permanent superintendent.”

Not only does Gorrell have experience running a county board, but she also understands the big picture of Ohio’s statewide system, Umstot said.

Over the last four years, she has served in various leadership roles for the Ohio Association of County Boards of DD (OACB), representing superintendents from the east-central region of the state. She is currently a member of the OACB’s Board of Trustees.

“Wendy’s involvement with our state trade organization has allowed some of our Leadership Team members to get to know her,” Umstot said. “I believe our staff and the families we support will be very comfortable with her leadership style.”

Gorrell will continue her duties as Morgan County Superintendent but will also spend several days a week in Newark, supporting the LCBDD team.

LCBDD’s Board of Directors will be working with OACB as they conduct the Superintendent search process. The search is anticipated to take three to four months.