Director Melton leaving Cedar Valley Humane Society

Cedar Valley Humane Society Executive Director Zach Melton will leave the organization at the end of May.

"It was a really hard decision," Melton said this afternoon. "This was something I've really enjoyed doing. This is a really strong organization."

Melton, 30, said he's leaving to take over management of a veterinary hospital in Huntsville, Ala. He said he didn't seek the job - "I was head-hunted."

Melton, a Colorado native, took over at the Cedar Rapids non-profit in 2009. The group had endured internal feuds and inconsistent management since the 2001 resignation of a long-time director.

Melton helped stabilize operations and management, negotiating a contract for animal control services in Linn County that hadn't been updated in over a decade.  The agency is working with other cities in the county to formalize their animal control agreements.

"It's being approached a bit more as a business than it was in the past," said Melton. "There's some really good things that went on the past 18 months."

"He's been phenomenal for the organization," said Linn County Supervisor Brent Oleson, a member of the humane society's board.

Oleson said the board has launched a search for Melton's successor.

"He's given enough lead time," he said. "We'll be in good hands."

"I don't think the organization is going to miss a beat," said Melton.