SALISBURY — Bob Lippard, longtime executive director of the Rowan County United Way, is stepping down effective March 31.

The organization’s board of directors announced Thursday that it had accepted Lippard’s resignation.

“I have enjoyed serving the community since 1984 with Rowan County United Way,” Lippard said in a letter to the board. “The many volunteers associated with United Way are a true treasure, and I feel very lucky to have known so many that make this community a better place for us all.”

He went on to thank the community, volunteers, agencies and staff members for serving others and allowing him to be associated with the work of United Way.

Under his leadership, the organization has responded to plant closings, kept many from being homeless and provided programs through its member agencies that improved local quality of life, a United Way news release said.

Board President Henry Diggs said he wishes Lippard well. 

“Rowan County United Way board of directors thanks Mr. Lippard for his many years of dedicated leadership and service to our United Way,” Diggs said. “He has served us well in this position for 34 years, and we wish for him much success as he enters into a new chapter of his life.”

The board and personnel committee will begin the process of searching for a new executive director.

Lippard graduated from Salisbury High School and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Once a field consultant for the Red Cross, he was 26 when he joined the local United Way staff as associate director in July 1984.

He was appointed executive director in 1987, succeeding Anne Carroll.

The Rowan County United Way was chartered in 1956.

Member agencies and partner agencies include the Rowan County Literacy Council, The Arc/Rowan, Rowan Vocational Opportunities, Boy Scouts, Central NC Council; Communities in Schools of Rowan County, Rowan County YMCA, Rowan County Youth Services Bureau, American Red Cross, Rowan County Rescue Squad, Salvation Army, Trinity Living Center, Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, Meals on Wheels, Families First Inc., Family Crisis Council, Smart Start Rowan, Jobs for Life and Capstone Recovery.

For more information about the Rowan County United Way, visit the website, www.rowanunitedway.org, or follow United Way on Facebook.