Jerry Lane, executive director of the DeKalb County Mental Health Board will be retiring as soon as his replacement is found.

Lane announced his retirement to local agencies at the July 12 meeting. After 18 years of service, he stated professional and personal reasons for retirement.

“Chronic under-funding of the mental heath care industry has really changed this job,” Lane said.

The mental health board office, located in the Sycamore School Administration Building, functions as the mental health authority for DeKalb County. It was established to deal with local mental health care needs of the community.

Lane said he didn’t have any discrepancies with the nine-person mental health board, which reports to the DeKalb County Board.

“I have nothing against the board; it’s the changing trends,” Lane said.

He said he felt that a person more up with the times would better fill the position.

Lane said a fitting candidate should have fresh perspectives. An ideal candidate should “like working with the community and not get bogged down in bureaucratic issues,” he said.

Lane took his job to heart and said he loved working with the mental health board and a fantastic group of volunteers.

“I really enjoyed doing my job here and I felt like I did something for my community,” he said.

Mike Flora, director of the Ben Gordon Center, a local counseling center at 12 Health Services Drive, expressed his appreciation for Lane’s job dedication.

“Jerry’s advocacy, professionalism and high level of ethics will be missed in DeKalb,” he said.

Flora credits Lane with working to reduce the stigma associated with seeking personal help.

A committee was formed within the mental health board to review the job applications for the director position. Committee members include mental health board members Julia Fullerton, Doug Fraley and Regina Parker, along with Lane, an ex officio.

The board is looking for an individual with the necessary experience, knowledge and skills in the mental health field, Lane said. To date, there have been more than 50 applications received for the executive director position and more are expected by the Aug. 30 deadline.

“There probably won’t be a new director before December, by the time all of the applications have been reviewed,” Lane said.

Prior to his 18 years as director, Lane worked in the mental health industry for nearly 30 years.

He worked in private practice for eight years in contract with the Department of Child and Family services. Previously, he worked at the Elgin Mental Health Center, focusing on adolescent health and he worked at a correctional institution in Joliet.

After 30 years in the same field, Lane said he decided it was time for a change.

“I plan on looking outside of the mental health field,” he said.