Community and Economic Development Director Beverley Hawthorne has vacated her post with Lunenburg County and has taken a position with the City of Emporia, Lunenburg County Administrator Tracy Gee said Monday.

Hawthorne will serve as community and economic development manager for the City of Emporia.

Her move is effective Aug. 1, Gee said.

She said Hawthorne began as economic development director in September of 2003. Gee said Hawthorne was appointed to her current position as economic and community development director “due to additional tasks, responsibilities and to coincide with the challenging economic issues facing our county and the nation,” Gee said.

Hawthorne, navigating numerous county responsibilities during the Great Recession, served in tandem as Beaver Creek District representative on the Lunenburg County Public School Board.

Hawthorne will continue her elected post on the school board, Gee said.

“Beverley served her home locality with distinction and devotion in her occupation with Lunenburg County,” Gee said. “Her contributions to our locality, both seen and unseen, are numerous and she will be sorely missed.”

“We wish her the very best in her new endeavor and appreciate her years of service,” Gee said.

Gee is working with county officials to distribute job tasks previously assigned to Hawthorne.

She said county administration office could soon advertisement for applications for the vacant position.

Gee said the duties and job description for the position are not yet available.

Hawthorne wouldn’t comment on her resignation.