ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - On Wedneday, Star City leaders honored a man who's influenced education and jobs in the area.
Dr. Tom McKeon is retiring as executive director of the Roanoke Higher Education Center, the position he's held since the center opened in 2000.
McKeon said it's time for the center to start a new chapter
"It's really time for a fresh set of eyes to kind of look forward and to make the changes in the higher ed center that will be most responsive to the needs in the region and to the people here," explained McKeon.
That fresh set of eyes is Dr. Kay Dunkley. The board appointed her as the center's new executive director.
Under McKeon's leadership, the center supported more than 300 jobs and is responsible for more than 9,000 degrees, certificates and workforce training program completion.