Niles native Joe Sobieralski is leaving his position as executive director of the Southwestern Michigan Economic Growth Alliance (SMEGA) to work at a larger economic development organization in Battle Creek.

Sobieralski has been hired as vice president of operations at Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU), a private, non-profit corporation that serves as the economic development organization for the City of Battle Creek.

“It is a great opportunity and a bigger organization that has a lot of resources to work with,” said the 2005 Brandywine High School graduate. “Essentially it is a bigger challenge. I am looking for a new challenge.”

Sobieralski was hired to run SMEGA in February 2013. His last day was Tuesday and he will begin work at Battle Creek Unlimited Dec. 7.

“I really enjoyed my time here at SMEGA,” he said. “It has some good things going for it and we accomplished some good things. There is a lot of synergy going on in the area especially with the partnership with Cass County. I hope it continues. Good paths are ahead.”

SMEGA’s Board of Directors is in the process of finding a replacement for Sobieralski, who was the only full-time employee at SMEGA.

SMEGA is a non-profit economic development organization partnering with businesses, government, and other community support organizations to encourage economic growth and development in southwest Michigan.