SPSA Executive Director John S. Hadfield told the agency’s Board of Directors today that he plans to retire on Aug. 1.

He will continue to work leading the agency, as the board conducts a national search for a new executive director, according to a press release.

“I have set out to serve the will of the Board and to provide the absolute best service the members, citizens and businesses of this region,&uot; Hadfield said. &uot;I also believe that the reforms and other changes I have led at the agency have made SPSA a better and stronger organization.

“The timing of the announcement of my retirement is appropriate now as I first wanted to see several initiatives through for the agency. I needed to know that SPSA as an organization would be left to its next leader on sound footing. Exactly 10 years from Thursday, January 24, the current SPSA use and support agreements will expire. A new leader, I believe, can shepherd the agency through the necessary additional changes for the future.”

Hadfield will have been a SPSA employee for 30 years as of June this year.

Hadfield was a captain in the Army, serving in Vietnam. A spinal-cord tumor left him paralyzed at age 25. He holds bachelor of science and master in business administration degrees from Old Dominion University.

The SPSA Board of Directors will hire an executive search firm to seek candidates for the position of executive director. The board hopes to have that process completed by August.