Directly after the Feb. 9 board meeting for the Iowa State University Foundation, it was announced that Roger Neuhaus, president and CEO, would be leaving the organization and that Larissa Holtmyer Jones would be filling the vacated position.

The ISU Foundation, a non-for-profit that secures and manages gifts and donations to the university, is governed by a board of directors who made the decision to release Neuhaus.

Karen Simon, spokeswoman for the ISU Foundation, said that it is the role of the board to evaluate the effectiveness of the CEO.

“The foundation’s board determined it was time to move in another direction,” Simon said.

Neuhaus, who became president and CEO of the ISU Foundation in January 2013, helped elevate fundraising totals from $102 million in 2012 to $113 million in 2013 and $119 million in 2014, said Vanessa Miller of the Cedar Rapids Gazette.

Neuhaus’ replacement, Holtmyer Jones, has been with the ISU Foundation for 17 years and has served as the Foundation’s vice president since 2008.

“We are excited to plan for the future, which includes preparing for and executing Iowa State’s next comprehensive fundraising campaign,” Holtmyer Jones said.

ISU President Steven Leath expressed his trust in the board’s decision.

“I am certain [Holtmyer Jones] has the perfect set of skills and abilities to lead the foundation’s efforts,” Leath said.

The fundraising efforts of the foundation directly benefit students through scholarships, programs, facility and faculty, Simon said, adding that the foundation is on track to have a record-breaking fundraising year.

The transition from Neuhaus to Holtmyer Jones will take place during the next month and will appear seamless to students, donors and the public, Simon said. Roger Neuhaus could not be reached for comment.