Miss America Organization's president and CEO steps down

ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey (WPVI) -- The Miss America Organization's president and CEO, one of the forces behind the decision to drop the competition's swimsuit portion, has stepped down, the organization announced.

Regina Hopper, who was among those behind the organization's "2.0" rebranding effort, left her position, the organization announced in a statement Tuesday.

Hopper said she formally notified the board two weeks ago that she planned to return to a full-time job involving transportation.

Board Chairwoman Shantel Krebs will replace Hopper on an interim basis while the board searches for a new president and CEO.

Hopper assumed leadership of Miss America in May 2018 as part of a series of changes that occurred after an email scandal in December 2017, which led to the ouster of the pageant's mostly male leadership.

They were replaced by female leadership including Hopper and former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson. Carlson stepped down as chairwoman in June.

Hopper was formerly the president and CEO of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America.

"I am proud of the progress that has (been) made over the last two years to advance scholarship and service opportunities for women while promoting the importance of inclusivity and diversity," Hopper said in a statement to The Press of Atlantic City.