Lula Lake Land Trust Executive Director Mike Pollock plans to resign to renew business interests he set aside when taking the role at the land trust.
Pollock held the position for three and a half years and will remain with the trust throughout the search process.
“Mike’s time at Lula Lake dates back to 2006 when he joined the board, and he plans to continue as a Trustee when the transition is complete,” according to a statement from current board chairman Brad Cobb.
His business interests include a career management company and a company that makes cleaner for retainers. Pollock has owned the companies for more than 10 years and would like to put more time into growing them, he said.
The move will also give him more time to travel, ride his bike and take extended trips with a more flexible schedule.
“[The companies are] just something I’ve been working with a long time and figure that maybe there’s a lot of room for it to grow, a ton of room to grow,” he said. “I might want to dabble with that. I really just need time to get out of town and play.”
The trusts mission is to preserve the landscapes surrounding Rock Creek, Bear Creek and their tributaries. Pollock took the current position with a plan to stay three-to-five years.
In his time, he oversaw the completion of the Chattanooga Connector Trail and Moonshine Trails project. He also overhauled public access to help protect the land and better manage the large crowds coming to see the trust’s core property.
Lula Lake Land Trust will begin vetting applicants and hopes to make a new hire within the next five months.
Contact staff writer Mark Pace at mpace@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6659. Follow him on Twitter @themarkpace and on Facebook at ChattanoogaOutdoorsTFP.