Richard Harris, a retired vice president with the North American Mission Board, will become the interim executive director-treasurer of the South Carolina Baptist Convention if his nomination is approved by SCBC Executive Board members Oct. 7.

Executive Board chairman Dwight Easler cited Harris’ “leadership record and success in interim positions” as primary reasons for recommending him for the post that will be vacated when Jim Austin retires in October. Harris was NAMB’s interim president in 2009-2010 and served as interim pastor at a number of churches during his 29 years of service with the missions agency.

SCBC Executive Board members will gather at White Oak Conference Center Oct. 7 for their regular fall meeting. In addition to Harris’ nomination, board members will consider Easler’s appointments to a search committee for a permanent executive director (see related story) and set a budget to be presented at the SCBC annual meeting Nov. 11-12 at Shandon Baptist Church in Columbia.

“I believe Dr. Harris will prepare our state convention for transition and be a team builder for our staff and our denominational institutions going forward,” Easler said in a statement sent to Executive Board members.

Easler said Harris “stands out as a person of high integrity and leadership capability” and has “a heart for the Great Commission.” Harris is “highly trusted and recommended” by national leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention and by those whom he served as interim pastor in 26 local churches, Easler said.

“Dr. Harris has a servant spirit that can lead, heal, and build relationships in our state to prepare us to experience God’s finest future for the South Carolina Baptist Convention and her partners,” Easler said.

Harris and his wife, Nancy, live in Alpharetta, Ga.