The Portage Community Revitalization Corporation (PCRC) is saying hello to its new executive director and goodbye to its previous one.

Victoria Espey has handed the reigns to Mari Lawrence and Espey says it was by no means a decision she took lightly. She understands that change is a good thing however and it's a bittersweet decision, as she enjoyed her time there.

"It's good to bring in a fresh perspective to an organization like ours that's grown so much because a new person has new ideas," explains Espey. "I think the PCRC is definitely ready for some new ideas, and I'm ready for a new challenge."

Espey says after seven years, she's excited to try something new as she'll become the director of operations at Christianson TDS. Espey mentions it was a stressful time to fill the role she'd be leaving behind, but she's confident Lawrence is the right person for the job.

"Mari is so open-minded and always listening to people's ideas," says Espey. "Which is what you have to do as a leader, listen to other people's ideas and find a way to carry those forward or try them and try something new, and she's definitely not afraid to do that."

Lawrence says she's been shadowing Espey over the summer so she could get a handle on some of the financial pieces but adds she feels confident now. Since she's been with the PCRC for a few years now, she already had a good grasp of the programs they run.

"I'm excited about working with those stakeholders differently," says Lawrence. "Coming up with ideas for our community about how we can fill gaps for services and address barriers for people and make our community even better than it is."

Lawrence says they've had strong support from the city council and hopes to continue that when she takes over the role.

"When I started out with the PCRC I was a community engagement coordinator and we were a very small staff," says Lawrence. "I was also doing some admin work for the board. So, I got to see how our board meetings worked and go to a lot of meetings with Victoria to see how she dealt with conflict and built relationships with different people."

They're both ecstatic to see how Lawrence can lead the PCRC going forward.