Tisha Schuller, CEO of the Colorado Oil and Gas Association (COGA), said Monday she will leave the leadership spot later this year after a five-year run. A national firm has been hired to search for her replacement, according to COGA spokesperson Doug Flanders.

Schuller will continue as CEO until the end of May and will chair the Rocky Mountain Energy Summit Conference in late August.

COGA is the largest industry trade association in Colorado, and Schuller’s planned departure drew comments from the governor and industry members.

Gov. John Hickenlooper praised Schuller’s “roots in both the environmental and business communities,” saying she brought a “unique perspective” to the job heading COGA. “COGA has been an important partner in developing Colorado’s national, precedent-setting regulations,” Hickenlooper said.

Schuller is credited with expanding COGA’s mission during her tenure, moving from a narrow focus on state regulations and the state legislature to a broad programmatic outreach that included dialogue with local communities and governments. “Other organizations in Colorado and across the United States have begun to use COGA’s model for outreach and education to build support,” Flanders said.

Schuller said she is most proud of being able to help create “national precedent-setting regulation, the community engagement program, and programs developed to encourage industry employees to engage in civic dialogue.”

COGA Board Chairman Alan Harrison lauded Schuller for providing service to “all of Colorado,” in addition to the association’s board and its 300 members.