Douglas County Senior Services director resigns

The executive director of Douglas County Senior Services submitted his resignation after about four months in the position, the chair of the agency’s board said.

Gary Nelson, 64, resigned because of health issues. The resignation will take effect Feb. 12.

Nelson had retired as a school district superintendent of Lincoln, Kan., before taking over Douglas County Senior Services in September.

Gary Nelson

“We have been delighted with Gary’s leadership and with his many contributions to the agency over the past four months,” board chair Judy Wright said in a news release. “We respect Gary’s decision because we all realize that his health comes first and he must address it.”

The Douglas County Senior Services board went through 35 applications before announcing Nelson as the new executive director. Wright said the board will start searching for a new director immediately and wants to have someone in place by April 1.