Halifax-based Volta and its CEO Jesse Rodgers have parted ways, four years after he joined the largest innovation hub in Atlantic Canada.

Jevon MacDonald, who chairs the Volta Board, sent out a memo to stakeholders Monday to say Rodgers has concluded his role as CEO of Volta. COO Martha Casey has been named Interim CEO while the board determines a permanent replacement.

“In our discussions, Jesse expressed continued optimism about the Atlantic Canadian innovation ecosystem and sincere gratitude for having had the opportunity to work with the many founders, public- and private-sector partners, and network members that are so critical to the success of the Volta community,” said MacDonald in the memo.

Rodgers, the founding director of both Velocity and the Creative Destruction Lab in Ontario, joined Volta in 2016.

During his tenure, Volta tripled its floor space as it took over the first three floors of the Maritime Centre in downtown Halifax, and greatly increased the number of resident companies within the complex.

“Under his leadership, we have benefitted from his ambitious vision for the startup community and his tireless advocacy for advancing innovation driven entrepreneurship across the region,” said MacDonald. "I would like to highlight Jesse’s instrumental role in Volta’s expansion . . . and his inspired development of the Volta Cohort program that has led to investments in 19 exciting Atlantic Canadian companies.”

MacDonald and Rodgers were not available for comment late Monday.

Casey, who was previously the Chief of Staff and Executive Director of Dalhousie University’s Office of the President, said in an interview Monday evening that things are looking great for Volta. She said the organization has an excellent team and board, and is well positioned to support startups as they deal with the Covid-19 crisis and plan for the recovery.

She said her priority will be to “continue to build on the success of what Jesse, the team and the board have been building with founders and others across the ecosystem. We have really good relationships and we have to continue to build on them.”

Disclosure: Volta is a client of Entrevestor.