From the Fort Smith consent decree to the Oklahoma City Thunder’s clutch 3s, Ward 3 Director Mike Lorenz announced on Facebook Sunday he is leaving for the Sooner state.

Lorenz has served on the Fort Smith Board of Directors since 2012 and is a lifelong resident of the city. His final meeting will be March 12.

“Fort Smith is in the middle of a rebirth with great positive energy. I encourage more citizens to get involved in the community and work to ensure the growth that is occurring continues for years to come,” Lorenz wrote in a text message Monday. “I’m proud to have been allowed to serve the citizens for the past six years and be a part of many positive changes!”

Some of his accomplishments while part of the board include the city’s general financial performance, working to get the general fund reserve balance from 10 percent to more than 25 percent, and the implementation of the city’s new financial reporting system, which allows for more detail and transparency, Lorenz said.

Lorenz is proud of the hiring of City Administrator Carl Geffken who has helped improve “operational effectiveness” and promoted positive change, the Riverfront Skate and Bike Park opening and reallocation of personnel funds for the Police Department to purchase vehicles and equipment.

According to Arkansas statute 14-48-115, the board is required at its next regular meeting to appoint a replacement or call for a special election to fill the spot until the end of the term. All four ward directors are up for re-election in 2020. The first meeting without Lorenz is April 2.

“I am proud of his selfless commitment and his plethora of accomplishments. Mike has always been driven to make Fort Smith a wonderful place to live, raise a family and succeed in business,” said Wendy Lorenz, wife of the outgoing director. “Mike and I were both born and raised in Fort Smith, and we continued our love of Fort Smith by raising our children here. The beauty and opportunities our hometown has are boundless.”

Lorenz will become the system director business office for Integris Health, leaving a position with Shared Services Center, a subsidiary of Community Health Systems, which sold Sparks Health System last year. He also founded the River Front Grand Prix nearly 25 years ago. He plans to continue the event, which has recently drawn national competitors, each Thanksgiving weekend.

“My wife, Wendy, and I share the same sense of adventure, and we are both excited about the future but will always call Fort Smith home,” Lorenz said. “It’s really bittersweet making the move as we have many friends both new and old that we will miss along with my work family that has been a part of my life the past six years.”

Wendy Lorenz, a hairstylist for more than two decades, is the owner and a stylist at Bombshell Beauty Lounge Salon on Greenwood Avenue. With her family’s relocation announcement, the salon will be sold after five years, giving another resident the opportunity to open a business.

“Lifelong friendships and memories were made here in Fort Smith and its surrounding communities,” Wendy Lorenz said. “As most of the community knows, our family is always on the go, and we are blessed to continue on this adventure.”