The Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County on Wednesday appointed an interim leader while it searches for a replacement for outgoing Executive Director Stacy Spann.
In a unanimous vote, the seven commissioners approved the appointment of Kayrine Brown as the acting secretary-treasurer and executive director while the HOC searches for a person to fill the permanent role.
Brown is currently the deputy executive director of the organization. She has worked with the Housing Opportunities Commission since 1998.
“I had the opportunity to speak with Kayrine Brown and I have every level of confidence in her ability to take on the responsibility that are inherent in carrying out the roles of both the secretary-treasurer and the executive director,” Chairman Roy Priest said during Wednesday’s meeting.
Brown will take over for Spann, who announced last month that he is taking a new position as CEO of MidCity, a Bethesda-based real estate company. Spann has led the HOC since 2012.
In a meeting in June, Priest said the commission met in closed session on May 26 and approved a search committee and a request for proposals to search for a new executive director.
But Priest also said that after further consideration, he “determined it would be far more beneficial for the entire commission to participate in the various stages of a search process.”
The commission then unanimously voted to rescind the May 26 approval of a search committee and authorizations to issue a request for proposals.
Priest said in a recent interview that the board’s action was to simplify the process for looking for a new executive director. HOC commissioners could still use a search firm, he added. He expects a decision within a month on whether to use a search firm.
Caitlynn Peetz can be reached at caitlynn.peetz@bethesdda-remix.newspackstaging.com