Steve Posey, who worked in various housing-related positions for the city of Colorado Springs over the past 11 years — most recently as its chief housing and community vitality officer — has resigned.

The former city official tendered his immediate resignation in a brief letter dated March 7.

“After much thought and consideration, I realize that it’s time for me to step back, recenter myself and start off on a new path,” Posey wrote in part.

The letter was addressed to Mayor Yemi Mobolade and was copied to Chief of Staff Jamie Fabos, Deputy Chief of Staff Travis Easton and the city’s acting Director of Human Resources Myra Romero.

“I want you and the city team to know how deeply I appreciate the opportunities I’ve had to work with so many dedicated, passionate individuals on projects that have benefited our community and its residents,” Posey said.

The Gazette’s attempts to reach Posey for comment at several phone numbers believed to be associated with him were unsuccessful Thursday.

“We at the city are incredibly grateful for Steve Posey’s service to Colorado Springs and for his dedication to advancing the city’s housing and community development priorities,” a statement reads in part on the Housing and Community Vitality Department webpage. The post appears to have been made March 13.

Councilwoman Nancy Henjum said Thursday his resignation was unexpected but it did not occur because of conflict between Posey and other city leaders.

“He was planning on retiring soon. It’s a very challenging position and I think he just saw an opportunity,” Henjum said. “He had a lot of faith and trust in his team. I’m glad he’s well. It was a shock, but we’re moving on and he’s moving on.”

In one of his first acts as mayor, Mobolade announced in June he appointed Posey the chief housing and community vitality officer to guide the city’s housing priorities. It was an “elevated” role from Posey’s previous position as Colorado Springs’ community development division manager, which was part of the planning department, Mobolade said in the summer.

The Housing and Community Vitality Department is tasked with forging partnerships with nonprofits, developers and stakeholders to invest federal, state and local resources to better access affordable and attainable housing for Colorado Springs residents, Posey previously wrote in a July 7 letter announcing the new department.

Posey also formerly worked as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development program administrator for Colorado Springs.

Katie Sunderlin has been appointed the acting chief housing and community vitality officer.

“We have not missed a beat and our focus is on connecting with all the partners in the community,” Mobolade said of the transition at a regularly scheduled news conference Thursday morning.

Sunderlin is Colorado Springs’ senior affordable housing coordinator and in the past has worked as a community development planning analyst and a neighborhood development outreach specialist for the city, according to her LinkedIn webpage.