Challenged Child and Friends, a Gainesville center for both disabled children and their nonhandicapped peers, has named an interim executive director.

J.C. Smith will replace Kathy Cook, who resigned to accept a position as executive director of a nonprofit agency in South Carolina, where she will be closer to family.

Cook had led Challenged Child for 18 months.

Smith will assume the new post Jan. 5.

Recently retired from the University of Georgia’s Small Business Development Center, Smith has volunteered with many nonprofit agencies, community organizations and professional groups in Gainesville-Hall County for some 25 years.

The Challenged Child board immediately will begin the search for a permanent director.

The center is at 2360 Murphy Blvd.