From the Daily Record.

Larry White was named the new executive director of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) on Wednesday in a unanimous vote by the NJSIAA Executive Committee.

The vote was 36-0. 

"My whole career has been based in education as a teacher, and obviously as a player, coach and official,'' said White, when asked why he applied for the job.

"I've been intertwined with interscholastic athletics my whole life. And now, after working 12 years as an assistant director, that this would be the final segment of maybe a career that's hopefully been well listed and well done." 

White's appointment takes effect Jan. 1, the day after current Executive Director Steve Timko officially retires.

White, 64, gradually will transition into the executive director position over the next three months. 

A resident of West Deptford, Gloucester County, White will become the first African-American to serve as executive director  and the eighth individual to serve as executive director in the organization's 100-year history. 

"I think it (being the first African-American to be named executive director) is important, but as I've always said, it's not so much about the color of your skin. If you do your job, you do it well and you're exceptional, then quote the cream rises to the top,'' White said.

"I just happen to be an African-American, but I also like to think I got  (the position) because I'm pretty good.''     

Timko, 72, has been the association's executive director since 2006. He announced his retirement on June 7, at the last executive committee meeting of the 2016-17 school year. 

White, who has been an NJSIAA assistant director since 2005 and was the association's first African-American assistant director, was recommended by a six-man search committee consisting of past, present and future NJSIAA executive committee presidents.

That committee conducted interviews throughout the summer before selecting White. 

"Our search committee was charged with identifying the individual who could most effectively build upon the NJSIAA's ongoing search in overseeing scholastic athletics throughout New Jersey,'' said Chuck Klaus,  chairman of the search committee, in a statement through the NJSIAA's public relations firm.

"As the process moved forward, it quickly became clear Larry had a unique understanding of the most challenging issues, their genesis and a vision to address each. Larry is an ideal fit for this organization, and we were able to recommend him unequivocally.''

One of White's first duties will be to name a new assistant director to fill his current position.

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