The Board of Directors of the Radiant Panel Association announced the creation of an interim board liaison position in response to long-term Executive Director Larry Drake’s decision to step down.

The Radiant Panel Association’s Board of Directors announced today a temporary replacement for Larry Drake, the association’s director for the past 15 years. Radiant contractor Jeff Brennecke, current board member and a past three-time president, will serve in the newly created position of interim board liaison.

Drake announced last August at the group’s 2008 REX trade show his intentions to step down from the post. His role with the RPA will end April 30. That date also marks the end of the contract Drake and his company Teal International Corp. have with the board to manage the association’s daily activities for its more than 800 members.

Drake told us that he and the Teal staff will likely continue to provide some of the same membership services after April 30, but the exact relationship is still to be determined.

Brennecke, who will temporarily step down from his board duties, is expected to be in the RPA’s Loveland, Colo., headquarters for one week a month for the next several months. The RPA board will also play a more active role in searching for and hiring the association’s new full-time executive director.

“I am honored to have been a part of the building of a great association,” Drake said, “and look forward to seeing it continue to grow and influence the heating industry.”