Former United Way of King County chief operating officer L. Darrell Powell has been named the new interim chief executive officer of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, the agency announced on Monday.

Powell, who also served as chief finance officer of the YMCA of Greater Seattle, is KCRHA’s second interim CEO to be named since former CEO Marc Dones stepped down in May. Powell succeeds Helen Howell, KCRHA’s former deputy CEO who became interim CEO when Dones stepped down. Powell will begin his term on February 14 as KCRHA continues its search for a permanent CEO.

KCRHA’s agency’s implementation board unanimously voted to approve Powell, who brings to the role more than 30 years of experience in business development, financial management, and strategic planning.

“We know Darrell from his exemplary leadership as Chief Operating Officer of United Way and from his decades of hard social justice work throughout King County in pursuit of a region that is fair and equitable for all,” said United Way president and CEO Gordon McHenry, Jr., a member of KCRHA’s implementation board.

“The work of the King County Regional Homeless Authority to reduce homelessness and ensure our neighbors who are homeless and unstably housed are supported in the ways they need is one of our region’s highest priorities and deepest challenges,” McHenry added. “We have great confidence that Darrell will be an effective leader as Interim CEO of the KCRHA.”