The Cape Fear Chapter of the American Red Cross is looking to name a new executive director, following a promotion of its current leader.

Executive Director Vicki LaBelle said Thursday that she is relocating to the Triangle to serve as executive director of the Central North Carolina Chapter, which has the nonprofit's largest blood services facility in the state.

The position for applications is closing on Friday. Through the process, the Red Cross expects a large and qualified application pool of both internal and external applicants, LaBelle said.

LaBelle started to volunteer with the American Red Cross at the age of 7. She previously served as executive director for the Red Cross in Michigan before being recruited to North Carolina in 2006.

LaBelle has been working with the Cape Fear Chapter for 11 years.

“I am very grateful for the support of this community,” LaBelle said. “I am going to miss all of the wonderful relationships I have built over that time, but I will not be far away. And I am always going to come back ... this is a second home to me.”

The nonprofit organization has seven full-time employees in the region. More than 90 percent of the American Red Cross' workforce is volunteers.

LaBelle said she will not be leaving her post until the seat is filled. She will also provide some transitioning time with the new hire, once the selection has been made.

“I’m looking forward to being in a new community and helping them benefit from the Red Cross mission,” LaBelle said.

She said her new position is considered a promotion based on the scale and scope of responsibility, given the area's geographical complexities.

The American Red Cross responds to nearly 64,000 disasters each year. The nonprofit organization shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families.

The Cape Fear Chapter was established in 1908. The region includes New Handover, Pender, Brunswick, Columbus and Duplin counties.