There was with both excitement for their executive director’s new opportunity and sadness for their own loss when the Iowa Board of Regents said goodbye to Gary Steinke.

A double press release announced Tuesday morning both the resignation of Steinke as the executive director of the Board of Regents and his acceptance of the president of the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities position.

Steinke contacted the regent board members the night before the press release to inform them of his decision to accept the job offer, said David Miles, president pro tem of the Board of Regents.

“He said he had not been looking for a job, but was contacted by the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and they had made him an offer for this position,” Miles said of his phone conversation with Steinke. “It sounds like a wonderful opportunity.”

The association represents 30 colleges and universities, and about 50,000 students per year, according to The Associated Press.

Despite the heads up Steinke gave the board members, his resignation came as a shock to those who had worked closely with him.

“I guess you have to understand that [job opportunities] come up out of nowhere,” said Jenny Connolly, who has served on the board since 2004.

Steinke’s resignation creates the task of appointing a new executive director in the near future, as his last day on the staff will be in late October.

“[The board] hasn’t gotten together to discuss [his replacement], but I anticipate we’ll have to appoint somebody as interim director until we make a decision,” Miles said.

Steinke, who received degrees from Loras College and Drake University, started on the Board of Regents staff in August 2004 as deputy executive director and chief public affairs officer before he was chosen as executive director in December 2005.

Before Steinke was a regent, he was assistant to the president and director of governmental relations at Iowa State.

Government of the Student Body President Brian Phillips, senior in political science, said their organization is sad to see Steinke go.

“[GSB] has worked with Gary for about six or seven months, but we’ve had a positive relationship with the board and especially Gary,” Philips said. “We’re happy for him.”

Steinke will assume the presidential position in January, succeeding John Hartung, who is retiring.

“It is a great win for the [Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities] – a wonderful fit,” Miles said. “He was very professional and I liked our relationship.”