SARASOTA COUNTY — Judy Wilcox, executive director of Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County, announced Thursday that she will retire effective Feb. 28, 2014, after 10 years with the organization.

“My philosophy is leadership at the top needs to change, and it needs to change in 10-year periods, just to keep the leadership fresh,” Wilcox said, adding people were surprised by her choice, but she just felt it was time. “Life is short. … My husband’s been retired a couple years and he’s anxious to see more of me.”