The man at the helm of the Humane Society for Southwest Washington during its multiyear capital campaign and construction of its new facility has resigned.

The Humane Society’s board of directors announced Tuesday afternoon that executive director Chuck Tourtillott resigned. Tourtillott headed the nonprofit for five years.

“We appreciate Chuck’s leadership during a time when our program experienced significant changes ranging from adjusting to the new facility to several reorganizations due to severe economic pressures in recent years,” board chairman Matt Olson said in a news release.

The Humane Society issued a one-page news release about the resignation but did not elaborate on why or when Tourtillott stepped down.

Stacey Waddell has been named interim executive director. Waddell has been working as a project consultant to the organization and previously served on the Humane Society’s board of directors.

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington opened its new $7.5 million facility at 1100 N.E. 192nd Ave. in the summer of 2009. The building was paid for by donations.

Each year, the shelter houses 10,000 to 13,000 stray cats and dogs from Clark County.

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