WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – William Buster is resigning from his position as president and CEO of the New Hanover Community Endowment, per a NHCE announcement on Monday, Feb. 5.

The NHCE was created to handle the funds generated by the $1.5 billion sale of New Hanover Regional Medical Center from New Hanover County to Novant Health.

“William helped lead the endowment through two rounds of community impact investments that led to $34 million in direct contributions to more than 140 nonprofits within our community and the commitment for an additional $20 million in funds that will be dispersed into New Hanover County beyond 2024″, said Bill Cameron, chairman of the NHCE board. “We are grateful for his leadership, and he laid the foundation for success during his time at the endowment. We wish him well as he seeks new endeavors. We are totally focused on finding our new CEO, who will also be part of making transformational change within New Hanover County.”

Executive Vice President Lakesha McDay was chosen by the board of directors to handle the day-to-day roles and responsibilities while they search for a new CEO.

“It has been a privilege to help take this organization from a vision of the board to a functioning organization poised to create change. I have been honored to work alongside this community and team in doing so. I believe the work I led set the foundation for significant change within New Hanover County. I am proud of the path we set and look forward to seeing the endowment fulfill its promise to the community,” Buster said.

WECT reached out to Bill Cameron, the chair of the New Hanover Community Endowment board, who said this is a personnel matter and he will not be making a comment.

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