The director of the county's lead economic development organization abruptly resigned on Tuesday, ending his tenure with Butler County Community Development Corporation after just seven months on the job.

Steven Gifford, who took over as the CDC's director on July 1 following the retirement of former director Ken Raybuck, turned in a letter of resignation at the close of business Tuesday, said Josh Fye, the president of the CDC's board of directors.

Fye said Gifford did not list any specific reason for his resignation in the letter, which he declined to provide a copy of Wednesday.

Gifford did not return a message left Wednesday at his office seeking comment. He was hired by the CDC in April, after a nationwide search for Raybuck's replacement that included more than 20 applicants. He had worked as the director of Greensburg Community Development Corporation before being hired by the CDC.