Paul Lasakow, the director of the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, has resigned his position effective Aug. 10.

Lasakow said the resignation was entirely for personal reasons.

“[The center] needs a manager that’s fully focused and on task, and I just can’t do that right now,” Lasakow said by phone Friday. “It’s killing me, because I really believe in this place. I’ve never been involved with an organization that has more potential to affect people’s lives positively than this place.”

Lasakow became director of the center in March 2009 after the resignation of its inaugural director, Michael Bollinger. He immediately set about his mission of making the center a true “community arts center” by providing more arts education and more opportunities for ordinary people to get on the stage.

According to a statement released by the arts center on Friday, other changes implemented by Lasakow included “restored fiscal responsibility, expanded offerings and an enhanced public perception of the Center as a welcoming, fun, accessible organization.”

Lasakow said the problems in his personal life — which he did not disclose — had become too great for him to head the center.

“I cannot deal with that and be an effective director,” he said. “I have to make some choices, and my family has to come first.”

Lasakow said he has already worked out opportunities to help at the center on a volunteer basis, and he believes he’s leaving the center in a good position.

“We are now a recognized asset for the community, and one that is primarily one of education and outreach,” he said. “My mission is at least accomplished to the point where I can let others pick up the banner and run with it.”

Before coming to the center on West Finney Avenue, Lasakow had served in similar capacities at the Roper Theater in Norfolk and the Sandler Center in Virginia Beach.

Jackie Cherry, who currently serves as general manager at the center, will assume the position of interim executive director on Aug. 11, according to the statement released by the center.