The ACSA Board of Directors has named Marc Ecker, former superintendent at Fountain Valley School District and state ACSA president from 2013-2014, as the association’s interim executive director.

Ecker replaces Wesley Smith, who will serve as superintendent of Newport-Mesa Unified School District. Smith has served as executive director since 2013.

The board announced Ecker’s appointment to staff and members on Oct. 15. The board also adopted a tentative timeline for transition to the permanent executive director with plans to select an executive search firm in the next few weeks and have an ED in place by April.

“My role is basically to keep the waters smooth,” Ecker said during an appearance on ACSA’s Legislative Lunch Break on Oct. 20, adding that there were some key goals to keep moving forward before a permanent executive director is found.

“Bottom line — I love this organization. I’ve been a member of this organization since 1979 and whatever I can do to help it continue to do the good things it does is my pleasure,” he said.

Ecker currently works with superintendents and executive cabinet members on school finance and board effectiveness. He is a partner at Leadership Associates, served two terms on the Financial Crisis Management Assistance Team Advisory Board, was recognized as the Orange County Superintendent of the Year in 2009 and received the ACSA Lifetime Service Award in 2015.

Ecker is an educational leadership faculty member and distinguished lecturer at California State University, Fullerton in the College of Education, is a board member of Schools First Federal Credit Union, and a member of the Southern California Superintendents Association.