Hmong Association's executive director resigns Sources close to him say he left to spend more time with family By Monique Balas News-Chronicle The Hmong Association's former executive director, Karl Thoj, resigned in February, and the association is beginning its search for a replacement. Thoj, who lives in Wausau, resigned to spend more time with his family, according to association president Vue Lor. Thoj declined comment on his resignation. Betty Baer, a Hmong Association board member, said the association will put out a "widespread search" for a new director. A job description will be posted in Hmong associations throughout the region as well as in cities with a large Hmong population, such as Minneapolis. "We would like to get somebody in as soon as possible," Baer said. The search is still in its early stages, she said, and the board must put together a search-and-screening committee. An interim director has been named until a new executive director is found. "We're able to continue day-to-day operations, but we can't do the kind of things we'd like to do," Baer said. The executive director's responsibilities include staff supervision and resource and grant development. They also include "working out collaborative relationships with other agencies and helping other agencies become more effective in dealing with Hmong people," Baer added. The executive director is "a crucial role, the primary leadership role in the association," said Wayne Lubner, former chair of the association's personnel committee. "He or she is really the person who provides social support for the Hmong community, and he runs the agency."