LOS ANGELES -- The California State Athletic Commission has named Dean Lohuis and William Douglas to serve as interim operations and administrative leads while the state agency begins a national search to replace resigned executive officer Armando Garcia.

Garcia, who served for over three years as the commission’s figurehead, resigned from his position shortly before Nov. 8.

At a public hearing held on Tuesday, the CSAC formerly accepted Garcia’s resignation. Garcia was not present. The Department of Consumer Affairs, which oversees the commission, has yet to comment Garcia’s abrupt departure.

Lohuis and Douglas are currently employees of the commission. Before taking a chief inspector’s role under Garcia, Lohuis served as the interim executive officer before Garcia’s appointment in 2005. Douglas has worked as a staff analyst for the commission for the last three years.

Douglas will supervise the administrative duties of the agency, which regulates MMA, boxing, kickboxing, and other martial arts events in the Golden State.

In an interview with BoxingInsider.com in August 2008, Garcia said he had regulated over 500 boxing and MMA events in California during his three-year tenure. Garcia said commission profits rose from $441,000 in 2005 to over $2 million in 2008.

CSAC legal counsel Anita Scuri said the position of Assistant Executive Officer could be filled within one week. The position will oversee the commission until the new executive officer is hired. Douglas confirmed to Sherdog.com that he has applied for the slot.

Commissioners Christopher Giza, M.D. and John Frierson have been appointed to a search committee to review candidates for the vacant executive officer’s position. Their recommended finalists will be presented, interviewed, and voted on by the CSAC as late as March 2009.