Dr. Sherry Sabo of Scarborough is retiring from Counseling Services Inc. in Saco, where she worked for 28 years, 15 of them as chief executive officer.

Sabo chose to retire to focus on recovering from a long-term health issue. The board appointed Jeannine Lepitre, the agency’s chief financial officer, as interim CEO.

Sabo joined the community mental health agency in 1981 as the associate director. Under her leadership, CSI grew from a small, local operation to an agency serving more than 7,000 people annually, with 300-plus employees and a $21 million operating budget.

CSI’s board of directors has planned a celebration honoring Sabo

for Saturday, May 2, at Dunegrass Country Club in Old Orchard Beach.