Jack Briggs, president and CEO of Springs Rescue Mission, is stepping down.

The Colorado Springs-based nonprofit announced Tuesday that Briggs, who assumed leadership in October 2020, will be leaving his position effective Sept. 30.

“This decision came after a lot of prayer and talking with my family,” Briggs said. “Springs Rescue Mission’s work is incredibly special to me. I’m very grateful to have been able to do this.”

A 1986 graduate of the Air Force Academy, Briggs spent the first 20 of his 31 active-duty years as a pilot, eventually achieving the rank of major general. His final duty station was Northern Command, where he served as director of operations until he retired in 2017.

Briggs’ involvement with Springs Rescue Mission began during his final year of active duty, when he joined the board of directors.

“My wife (Margaret) and I moved to New York in 2018, but I always stayed connected with the Rescue Mission,” he said.

After two years serving as New York University’s vice president of Global Resiliency and Security, Briggs returned to Colorado Springs to take the top leadership position at the Rescue Mission, taking over for former President and CEO Larry Yonker.

When Briggs arrived, the COVID-19 pandemic was nearing its apex, and there were concerns among some Colorado Springs residents that the homeless population would cause the virus to spread more rapidly. Briggs did not agree, he said.

“Folks thought that there would be large outbreaks in the community from our clients, or among our clients, and that just wasn’t the case,” he said. “We did have some pockets, but nothing that was a threat community, either outside our campus or inside.”

Travis Williams, Springs Rescue Mission’s Chief Development Officer, said Briggs’ leadership was instrumental in steering the nonprofit through the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic.

“Jack took over during a challenging time,” Williams said. “To have his ability to navigate and trust his staff to do the right things, and to care for people during that time, made a big difference in this community.”

Under Briggs’ leadership, Springs Rescue Mission completed the construction of a homeless resource campus near downtown Colorado Springs. He also led a push to establish a residential addiction recovery program for women — a feat that Briggs considers one of the biggest successes of his tenure.

“That was a very important thing that I wanted to accomplish while I was in this position,” he said.

But after decades of “going pretty hard” in the military, higher education and nonprofit leadership, Briggs decided it was time to take a step back, he said.

“I believe there are seasons for leaders,” Briggs said.

An internal committee and an executive search firm will begin looking for a successor, and Briggs said he will work to ensure a smooth transition. The nonprofit’s next leader will inherit a “fabulous” staff and robust relationships with other local organizations, he said.

“That’s one of the great things about this decision: I have complete confidence that the Rescue Mission, supported by all of our donors and by the community, will continue to thrive,” Briggs said.

“Because it really isn’t about me. It’s about the clients we serve and the community.”

Officials at the nonprofit said they will miss Briggs’ leadership but expressed gratitude for his efforts in serving the Colorado Springs community.

“We’re proud of all Jack has accomplished at SRM,” said board chair Trenton Langhofer. “He has built a great team and created new momentum for the organization.”

“Jack’s dedication has left a mark on SRM,” Williams said. “While we’re sad to see him go, we’re also grateful for his contributions and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

Asked about his immediate future, Briggs said, “I’m going to spend some time with my wife and family.

“I’m not sure what, exactly, the pathway is, but I know it starts with just being a positive influence within the three feet around me. I’m not going to try to change the world, I’m not going to try to do something crazy. I’m going to focus on what I can do to be a positive influence in the three feet around me. That’s where it starts.”