Larry Dickerson, president and CEO of World Services for the Blind of Little Rock, announced his retirement Thursday, effective Aug. 15.
"I can't think of a reward greater than to lead an organization that offers hope and dignity to adults who are blind and visually impaired by assisting them to achieve independence and employment so they might live full and productive lives," Dickerson said in a news release. "I am honored to have had this privilege for the past five years."
Tom Duke, chairman of the Board of Directors, said an executive search committee has been formed, and a successor should be named by the end of May.
"Larry has done a fantastic job at WSB," Duke said in the release. "The changes that he has made will have a lasting impact on WSB for years to come. We were fortunate to have his leadership during this critical time in our history."
The nonprofit's executive search committee is comprised of members of its board of directors. Melanie Jones, the organization's marketing and communications director, said the committee will consider internal and external candidates for the job.
"The board members are from Arkansas and around the country, so it could very well be a national search," Jones told Arkansas Business in an email.
Dickerson was named CEO in 2009. World Services for the Blind helps blind and partially blind people function independently.
