Joyce Taylor, executive director of The Arc Montgomery County, will retire at the end of the year.

Taylor, 55, was promoted to executive director of the organization three years ago. The nonprofit provides housing services, education, work skills training and other services to more than 4,000 individuals and families affected by intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Taylor started at The Arc in 1980 as a part-time driver, taking Arc participants to programs as a way to pay for her college tuition. Her role within the Rockville-based organization grew when she became manager of transportation services, then director of vocational employment services 10 years later.

“I never really intentionally meant to get into the field, but i just kind of latched onto it,” Taylor said. “I should say it latched on to me.”

In 2008, she became executive director, tasked with trying to preserve as much of the organization’s programming as possible despite cuts in government funding.

The Arc adopted a five-year strategic plan this year that emphasized community inclusion and self-supporting businesses such as the group’s thrift store in Wheaton.

The Arc has formed a search committee for her replacement and recently announced the opening, Taylor said. The organization hopes to hire a new executive director by December.

akraut@gazette.net