Jackie Cherry has been named the executive director of the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts.

She succeeds Paul Lasakow, who resigned in July citing family issues. She had formerly served as the general manager and has served as interim executive director since August.

The announcement was made Monday afternoon in a joint release by the directors of the SCCA board and its Foundation board. Jack Eure, president of the Foundation board, and Doug Naismith, president of the SCCA board, applauded the decision in a press release.

“As president of the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts Foundation, it has been my pleasure to work with Jackie Cherry while she served as general manager, and for the past five months as interim executive director.” Eure said. “She has done an excellent and tireless job.”

“Jackie Cherry has ably demonstrated the leadership and managerial skills the center needs in its next executive director,” Naismith said. “She has consistently established a high standard of performance and dedication. She will assume her new position with the full support of the board and the staff.”

Eure said the search committee received 55 applications for the job and interviewed the finalists.

“I have been with the cultural arts center since before the doors opened in 2006 and have such a passion and commitment to the center,” Cherry said. “The Suffolk Center has so much to offer our community and brings such value to those who take advantage of all that is available within the Center. I look forward to the continued success of our mission and appreciate the opportunity to serve as executive director with the support of our team.”

Cherry has more than 20 years of experience at the executive level, according to the press release.

Lasakow, the former director, extended his congratulations to Cherry when reached by phone Monday.

“I feel that she is absolutely the perfect person for the job,” he said. “She’s got the business acumen, as well as strong connections in the community that I think is exactly what the Suffolk Center needs to take it to the next level.”

Cherry will be the third executive director of the center since the facility opened.