Todd Lowther, the executive director of The Arc in Jefferson County since 1999, announced his retirement at a recent meeting of the board of directors.

Jo Lynn Osborne has been named by the board as interim executive director. Osborne has been the long-time assistant director who manages the award-winning Mobilizing Families series.

Lowther, who had a serious heart attack a year ago, said health was not the number one factor. "I hope to spend more time with my family, work with my church and keep up the exercise."

Lowther cited the I'm Different awareness campaign, his support for the Self Determination Project at DDRC, the annual Summit of Hope individual giving program and the statewide series of transition trainings called Training for Transition as his major accomplishments.