BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens' board of directors announced Wednesday its unanimous appointment of Erin Grajek as the organization's interim president and CEO, which takes place effective immediately. The appointment of Grajek follows the death of Mark Mortenson, the Botanical Gardens' former president and CEO, on Sept. 14. He had been in the position since February 2022. Grajek served as the Botanical Gardens' chief operating officer since 2021 and has held leadership roles at the organization since 2006, the Botanical Gardens said in a statement. “Erin has been a trusted leader with the Botanical Gardens, and we are confident in her ability to provide stability and guidance as we navigate the coming weeks and months,” said Tisha Luciani, the chair of the Botanical Gardens' board of directors, in a statement. “The Board fully supports Erin, and we are all committed to ensuring that the Botanical Gardens remains on a steady course and continues to fulfill its mission.” Luciani also said the board is taking steps to evaluate "all available options" to take the Botanical Gardens to its "next phase" and that no timeline has been established. Latest Local News UMRS reveals contract details for UB resident physicians Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village scraps plan to move to Amherst Central Park Botanical Gardens announces Erin Grajek as interim president, CEO New York State Police issue alert warning of sextortion scams Niagara Falls woman pleads guilty to fentanyl charge in connection with overdose death of mother Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here.