Columbia’s Information Technology Director Robert Simms resigned last week after spending 12 years in the position.

Deputy City Manager Tony St. Romaine announced Simms’s resignation in a news release. St. Romaine said he is currently trying to create an interim leadership plan, along with looking for a new director.

“Normally, this process takes three to five months, but we’ll be working on a fast track,” St. Romaine said in the release.

Simms began working for the city as the IT Director in 2000.

Simms most recently facilitated an update to the new addition of City Hall by synchronizing telephone and computer moves as well as new software systems for many offices, including the Municipal Court, human resources and joint communications.

“Bob came into our organization at a time when stability was sorely needed, and he was able to accomplish many goals and assist in key projects during his tenure,” St. Romaine said.

St. Romaine did not go into details of the personal aspects of Simms’ resignation. However, he did say that he met with Simms in a meeting and that Simms voluntarily resigned afterward.

He also said Columbia is about to face many technological challenges in the next few years. St. Romaine explained that the city is looking at installing a new technological system that will handle everything from utility billing to purchasing within Columbia.

The current system has been in place for 15 years and now that it is ready to be updated, the city is looking to find a new IT director as quickly as possible.

St. Romaine also said he does not know specific job duties and qualifications that the new IT director must have, but he hopes to have an advertisement for the opening out by the end of the month.