Adam Marquis, chief executive officer of Discovery Behavioral Health, has resigned as talks progress on merging the nonprofit provider of mental health services under the umbrella of Jefferson Healthcare, the county’s largest public health care provider.

“Adam has played an integral role in the process to partner with Jefferson Healthcare and Discovery Behavioral Health toward a potential acquisition in 2017,” said Corey Asbell, president of the board that oversees Discovery Behavioral Health, which also has been commonly known as Jefferson Mental Health Services.

“We appreciate Adam’s leadership in improving county access to behavioral health services,” Asbell said in a statement about Marquis, whose resignation was effective May 1.

Asbell said in an email conversation with The Leader that Marquis, who was hired in September 2014, wants to advance his career. Asbell declined to release Marquis’ letter of resignation to The Leader, saying that was personal and not appropriate to share.

The press release quotes Marquis as saying in the letter, “I am proud of the work I have done to bring about a closer partnership with Discovery Behavioral Health and Jefferson Healthcare. I want to continue to progress in my career and am looking for new opportunities.”

Marquis could not be reached for direct comment.

Asbell also said Marquis’ main contribution to Discovery Behavioral Health was in forming new partnerships that are leading the organization toward a connection with the public health care system.

The system has 51 employees.

Jefferson Healthcare CEO Mike Glenn said, “Our motivation has always been how do we best serve the patients of behavioral health services. Adam has worked hard to help us achieve that goal for Jefferson County.”

Plans to merge the two organizations, with Jefferson Healthcare purchasing assets of the mental health care provider and employing those now working for it, have not been finalized. Both boards would need to approve the acquisition. A decision is expected no later than Dec. 31.

Asbell declined to say whether Marquis had another job offer.

Marquis’ résumé is posted on a website for professionals, Indeed.com, where he lists his skills as a “health care senior executive, visible servant leader, effective manager-steward, tested leader, change agent, scholar-practitioner, driven innovator and mission and vision warrior.

“I am a results-driven leader who builds and nurtures collaborative relationships and community partnerships with board members, staff, users of service, communities, including private and public partners, to shape the future of integrated and innovative systems of care,” states his résumé. “I have demonstrated a track record of leading strategic initiatives while ‘taking care of business” with a “can do/will do professional positive attitude” on a day-to-day basis.”

Marquis had been living in Clallam County when he took the job in 2014. Before coming to Discovery Behavioral Health, Marquis had worked in Vermont and Maine.

Marquis had told The Leader back in 2014 that he intended to work on building bridges with other agencies.

At the time, he was one of 27 people from around the country to apply for the $89,000-a-year position. When Marquis took the job, there were 40 applicants, 11 fewer than there are today.