ROCK FALLS — The board of directors of Tri-County Opportunities Council has announced that president/CEO Sandra Julifs will retire in January 2013. She has been employed by TCOC for 40 years, 29 of which she served as the CEO.

“Forty years ago, I began my journey with what was the new concept of Community Action,” said Julifs, ”We had next to no money, a staff of 14, no benefits other than paid leave and my job was supposed to be a ‘temporary’ one. It was an exciting time, and after all these years, still is because we have made a difference in thousands of people’s lives, and our 400-plus employees continue to do so every single day. But, it’s time for me to leave, to move on to other adventures. An, so, I’m planning to retire as of Jan. 15, 2013.”

As her replacement, the board selected TCOC’s Head Start Director Terri Lawrence, who has been with the agency in various positions for 33 years.