Steve Wuitschick, the longtime CEO of Rockwood Retirement Communities here, has accepted a job with American Baptist Homes of the West, in Pleasanton, Calif.


Alan Curryer, Rockwoods vice president of finance, has been named interim CEO of the Spokane-based retirement-center operator, and began that job last week.


Rockwood Retirement Communities is owned by Spokane United Methodist Homes, a nonprofit here, and operates facilities on the South Hill and in North Spokane. Curryer has worked at Rockwood for 13 years, says Rockwood spokeswoman Becky Moonitz.


Rockwoods board will conduct a nationwide search for a permanent replacement for Wuitschick, Moonitz says.


Wuitschick starts his new job in California Nov. 10, but for now remains at Rockwood to


consult and assist as he slowly vacates his office, she says.


Wuitschick oversaw a major expansion of Rockwood during his 15 years as CEO. Projects undertaken during his tenure included the acquisition of Hawthorne Retirement Community, on the North Side, which now is called Rockwood at Hawthorne; a $12.5 million renovation and expansion of Rockwoods health center on the South Hill; and the development of Rockwood Forest Estates, also on the South Hill, which includes 158 single-family homes and duplexes.


Currently, Rockwoods facilities together employ about 260 people, and have 600 residents, Moonitz says.


Wuitschick will be senior vice president for operations for American Baptist Homes of the West, and will oversee a dozen retirement communities owned by that organization, Rockwood Retirement Communities said.