Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities names Wendy Gorrell interim superintendent

The Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities has named an interim superintendent as it continues its search to replace Jason Umstot.

Wendy Gorrell will start April 7, the organization announced Tuesday. Umstot’s last day will be April 4; he previously accepted a position with the Ohio Health Care Association.

The board appointed Gorrell during a special meeting March 12.

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

The board anticipates the search will take at least three months. It is working with the Ohio Association of County Boards of Developmental Disabilities.

Gorrell oversees the Morgan County Board of Developmental Disabilities and serves on the board for the state association with which she has served in other leadership roles, according to the organization. She is expected to spend several days a week in Newark helping the board while maintaining her role in Morgan County, where she has served as superintendent since 2014.

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

The board supports more than 2,600 children and adults in the community. Its services include an early childhood program, family support services, provider support and service coordination.

Advocate reporter Josué Perez can be reached at jhperez@newarkadvocate.com.