PLATTSBURGH — The longtime executive director for the North Country Center for Independence will be stepping down at the end of October.
Andrew Pulrang, who joined the Center for Independence in 1990 and became executive director in 1997, submitted his resignation to Board President Ted Graser on July 31.
“From now until I leave, I will be helping the board and staff make a smooth transition to new leadership,” he said in a statement.
“NCCI has a great future ahead, especially if it can count on the continued support and participation of good friends and colleagues in the North Country.”
The North Country Center for Independence is a nonprofit organization that serves people with disabilities, families and the community on issues and needs related to physical or mental disabilities of any kind. It is governed and staffed mainly by people with disabilities.
It is one of 41 Independent Living Centers in New York state and hundreds of other similar centers in every state and territory in the United States.
The center, which serves Clinton and Essex counties, provides disability-related services. It also supports individuals, businesses and organizations interested in disability issues.
People of all ages and income levels and anyone with any kind of physical or mental disability can benefit from the center’s services.
“For the people we serve, it’s business as usual, and our mission remains the same as it has always been,” Pulrang said.
WILL MISS NCCI
The Board of Directors has already begun its search for a replacement for Pulrang. The new director “will be responsible for all administrative duties at the center, will develop and implement new programs and represent the center in the community,” according to the job advertisement posted on the center’s website.
The new director will also manage the center’s programs and projects, including supervision and training of all program staff. The person will work on obtaining additional funding through grants, contracts and fundraising activities.
The candidate should have a master’s degree in administration, rehabilitation, social work, education or a related field and should have two years of experience working with people with disabilities.
The posted salary is between $40,000 and $45,000, commensurate with experience.
“I will miss my work and all the people at NCCI very much,” Pulrang said. “Yet, I’m excited to explore new things and take on new challenges. I have worked with NCCI all my adult life, and it’s time to try something new.
“Through my work at NCCI, I’ve watched so many others with disabilities set and achieve massive life goals, and I think I’ve learned a few things from them that I can use as I enter the next phase of my life.”
Email Jeff Meyers:
jmeyers@pressrepublican.com
