Lopez tapped to head Lake tourism bureau on interim basis

The South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority has tapped a former board member and current director of human resources to serve as the interim president and CEO after the resignation of its current leader.

Nikki Lopez will serve as interim president and CEO, confirmed board member Christine Cash, who did not divulge any other information such as when the decision was made, by whom or when the appointment becomes effective.

The CEO’s office officially will be left vacant Dec. 31 when the contract for former President and CEO David Uran expires. Uran resigned Dec. 18, ending his 19-month tenure at the head of the agency. He cited a desire to spend more time with family.

His resignation came one business day after an executive session where information about alleged misconduct was listed as the reason.

Before her time at the SSCVA, Lopez served as Director of Events for the City of Hobart.

Board members have been largely silent since Uran’s departure. Board Chairman Andy Qunell declined to comment on any effort to replace Uran following his resignation. He did not respond to a request Friday to confirm whether an interim CEO was selected.

Executive board members Matt Maloney and Brent Brashier also did not respond Friday to a request for comment, nor did board member John Bushemi. Board member Matt Schuffert said he had no comment.

Lopez did not respond to a request for comment. No one could be reached mid-Friday afternoon at the SSCVA offices.

Uran was selected for the position in April 2021 after a nationwide search to find a replacement for ousted then-president and CEO Speros Batistatos produced two top candidates for the job from Lake County: Uran, who was the mayor of Crown Point at the time, and Phil Taillon, executive director of planning and development for the city of Hammond.

Taillon remains interested in the position. Former Gary Mayor Jerome Prince also has confirmed he would be interested in the position. It is unclear what steps the board will take next.