Joseph Mayernick, the face of Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County for nearly 20 years, is resigning as executive director.

Susan Stocker, president of Growth Partnership’s board of trustees, made the announcement Thursday. She said Mayernick will remain with Growth Partnership through mid-June, when he will leave to pursue other opportunities.

Mayernick came to Ashtabula County from the northern panhandle of West Virginia to take over the reins of the newly created partnership on Sept. 17, 1990. He’s been the only executive director the public-private partnership has had.

Although it evolved into an economic development franchise, the organization’s original mission was to save 2,000 jobs that appeared threatened.

“Fortunately, through Joe’s leadership and hard work, we have been able to achieve success in both arenas: job creation and job retention,” Stocker said in a prepared statement.

The search for Mayernick’s replacement is under way, Stocker said in an interview. While she hopes to have that person on board by the time Mayernick leaves, Stocker said philosophy — not a timeline — will drive the decision.

“We’re going to wait until we have the right person. If we don’t have the right person by the time he leaves, we’ll keep looking,” Stocker said. “It’s got to be the right fit for us and the right fit for that person.”

She said that “right person” will be excited about the county and developing its economy, and will possess great critical thinking, communication and problem-solving skills. In short, the executive board will be looking for someone who can build relationships that lead to economic development and jobs for Ashtabula County.

That need is even more pressing today than it was 20 years ago, when Growth Partnership was born. The unemployment rate at that time was 8.5 percent. The January 2010 rate was 15.2 percent.

Stocker said Mayernick’s departure and the current difficulties facing the county do not signal the end of the partnership as the county’s lead economic development group.

“I want to make this absolutely crystal clear: I believe Growth Partnership is an essential organization in this community,” Stocker said. “There has got to be someone who is representing, and accountable for, economic development in this county. This organization is critical. There has never been a more important time for us to all come together and move forward.”

Nevertheless, Stocker said that the organization’s model may be outdated. Members pay an annual fee of $5,000, and with the tough economic times, and other issues that have pestered the organization during the past several years, membership has dropped. She said the executive committee will be looking at options for modifying the model to make Growth Partnership more contemporary and participation in the group more accessible.

“We’re going to move forward very strategically and engage others in that process,” she said.

Several key Growth Partnership players, including Stocker, are involved in the Ashtabula County Port Authority Economic Steering Committee, which is developing a comprehensive economic development plan for the county. The plan likely will figure into any reconfiguration of Growth Partnership as the motivating force for future economic development in the county.

On Thursday, however, the focus was upon Mayernick’s two decades of success.

“During the course of my time here, Growth Partnership has been fortunate to achieve success at all levels throughout our wonderful county,” Mayernick said in a press release. “Growth Partnership was formed in 1990 to focus solely on assisting business and boosting economic growth within the county. I am extremely proud to say there has been much progress toward achieving the mission.”

The executive director pointed to a slate of leaders and trustees who supported the organization’s mission.

“Growth Partnership and the entire county benefited greatly from the leadership of individuals like George Kaull, Terry Warren, Bey Blanchard, Robert S. Morrison, John Huggins, Ric Selip, Stuart Cordell, Steve Walling, Tony Martino and many others,” Mayernick said. “And we have been fortunate to receive support from the Robert S. Morrison Foundation, the MFG Foundation, Plasticolors, the Civic Development Corp., the Ashtabula Foundation and others.”

Mayernick also recognized individuals like Ron Kister, Dave French, Larry Laurello, Jim Kanicki, Joe Jammal, Ron Clutter and Rick Coblitz for their efforts.

Stocker said Mayernick did not indicate his future plans to the executive committee, which learned of his resignation during its meeting Thursday morning. Stocker said his abilities are well known and well respected throughout the tri-state economic-development community as a result of his work in Ashtabula County.

“I leave this position knowing that Growth Partnership has had a positive impact on Ashtabula County,” Mayernick said. “Companies have moved here, companies have expanded here, and people are working in this county because of our efforts. Those elements make me realize we have had success, and we have demonstrated time and again that working together can effect positive change.”