A nonprofit employment agency is looking for a new leader, according to a news release.

StepUp Wilmington announced Wednesday that it has started a transition process to find the successor for current Executive Director Will Rikard. The release stated that Rikard recently notified the board of his intent to resign by the end of the year.

“Rikard has been employed by StepUp Wilmington since April 2013 and is staying on to work in close partnership with the new executive director for a period of time to ensure a seamless transition,” according to the release. 

StepUp Wilmington’s board of directors has formed a search committee and contracted with an executive search firm, CapDev, to conduct a search in the coming weeks, the release stated. 

“For over a decade, Will has done amazing work for our community, and we applaud all of his accomplishments. During Will’s time as executive director, he grew the organization fivefold, greatly increasing its visibility and most importantly, its impact,” said Riley Stephenson, board president, in the release. “Will has put StepUp Wilmington in an exciting position of strength to recruit our next great leader. The board recognizes this unique opportunity to recommit to our community and to the high standards we hold.”

StepUp Wilmington serves 400 individuals a year, placing some 200 jobs a year with program offerings for all ages, including Jobs Week, CareerUp, NextUp, Future Leaders, Restorative Opportunities Internships (ROI) and a growing job placement division Beyond Talent, the release stated.

During his tenure, Rikard initiated and led two organizational rebrandings and partnerships, bringing together Phoenix and Hometown Hires in 2015 and ultimately leading the organization to be a member of the statewide network StepUp NC, becoming StepUp Wilmington in 2018, according to the release.

“Working at StepUp Wilmington was and is the most professionally rewarding experience I have ever had. I look forward to working with the board and new executive director to ensure the organization has a smooth and succinct leadership transition,” Rikard stated in the release. “The board has responded extraordinarily well to my decision to begin this transition process, and with a strong partner in CapDev, the organization is well-positioned to find its next leader.”

The release did not say what Rikard plans to do after leaving StepUp Wilmington, and efforts to reach him for additional comment Wednesday were not immediately successful.

Rikard sent a thank-you email to StepUp Wilmington supporters Wednesday, stating, “The last request that my predecessor, Don Skinner, gave me before he retired in 2015 was to make Phoenix Employment Ministry 'bigger and more beautiful.' I think we’ve done that.”