SOVCA Executive Director Steps Down

The South Orange Village Center Alliance is losing its first executive director.

Lisa Hackett announced that she has accepted a position to head the new nonprofit Summit Medical Group Foundation. Her last day with SOVCA will be next Friday.

“I wasn’t actively looking for a new position, but this opportunity fell into my lap and after some soul searching I realized that I couldn’t turn it down," Hackett explained. "I’ve truly enjoyed my time in South Orange and the opportunities and support which this community gave me. I look forward to seeing South Orange Village Center continue to grow and thrive.”

SOVCA Board Chairman Matt Glass said Hackett will be missed.

“We’re disappointed to be losing Lisa as our executive director,” he said. "But we understand that an opportunity like this doesn’t come around often and we wish her much success. Lisa was essential to building the strong foundation that SOVCA now enjoys entering our second year and I join our board, our other volunteers and our merchant community in thanking her for her tireless work for South Orange Village Center.”

To keep the organization's momentum moving forward, the board's executive team lined up Nancy Gould to serve as interim executive director as a long-term search unfolds.  

Gould, a licensed professional planner, served as an interim in the organization’s office before Hackett came on board. She also served on SOVCA’s board as the Village’s BOT liaison through the end of her term as a village trustee last May. The group said she will overlap with Hackett beginning Wednesday and fully assume her new role on the following Monday, Aug. 19.

SOVCA officials say work will start immediately with Main Street New Jersey to conduct a search for a long-term executive director. 

“I want to thank Nancy for agreeing to step in while we prepare for a full search,” said Glass. “She knows our organization, knows the workings of Village Hall and has a passion for the success of the Alliance and the Village Center.

"Our goal is to continue providing the services our stakeholders have come to expect like cleanup, business recruitment and events like Downtown After Sundown. We are well prepared to do just that and we’re prepared to find the right person to continue the good work Lisa did in her time with SOVCA.”