Ed Parker, president and CEO of Tucson's United Way, resigned from the organization Friday, months before his contract was scheduled to end.
The organization drew criticism after falling behind on payments to local charities and for fits failure to keep track of its finances.
Parker's departure from United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona was a matter of timing, said Vice President Dan Duncan.
Parker announced in August that he was leaving the $180,000-a-year job when his contract expires in June. But once the search process was in place, Parker began working with the board to leave earlier, Duncan said.
The search for a replacement is moving along nicely, "so (Parker) felt it made sense to leave now," Duncan said Friday.
Parker's contract was paid out, Duncan said. He had been with United Way for more than 30 years.
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Parker and board Chairman Ron Sable could not be reached for comment.
The board hired auditors in December after learning the agency had lost track of how much cash was available for local charities.
More than $440,000 was disbursed in January to 29 nonprofits. Some had waited since October.
In addition to the loss of a president, its finance chief last month resigned to tend to the health of a family member.
That position has not been filled, Duncan said. Instead, community experts are working with the agency until May when a new CEO will be hired.
Come March, Tucson's United Way will also lose Duncan to a technology company in Texas.
Duncan said that until then, he will be in charge and expects that an interim president will be named. He added that the agency can function successfully.
"We have a great team and a great group of volunteers," he said. "We're on track to have the largest revenue ever this year."
He added that United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona is on schedule to make payments to charities in March and June.
Contact reporter Alexis Huicochea at 573-4175 or ahuicochea@azstarnet.com
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