Tobias Vanderhoop, tribal administrator for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), has stepped down from his position, the chairman of the tribe confirmed on Friday.

In an email to the Gazette, chairman of the tribe Cheryl Andrews-Maltais said Mr. Vanderhoop tendered his resignation a month ago.

“While it's always sad to see someone you really like leave a position to move on, it was not only expected, it was inevitable,” she said. “The position is a really big job and consumes so much of your personal life as well as your professional career.”

Mr. Vanderhoop has been administrator since 2008. After receiving a master's degree in public administration from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, the first tribal member to do so since 1665, Mr. Vanderhoop returned to the Vineyard. Several months later he stepped into his role as administrator.

“He went right to work helping me build my new administration,” Mrs. Andrews-Maltais said. “He has, and always wanted to work for our people and this last position as tribal administrator has allowed him the experience to hone his skills at an executive management level.”

Mrs. Andrews-Maltais said the tribe is proud of Mr. Vanderhoop's accomplishments and “grateful for the time and commitment he gave us.”

“We also understand that he has a lot more to do and contribute outside the tribe as well,” she said. “We will be following his career with eagerness and pride because I believe he has an even brighter future yet to come. His success is a success for all of us.”

“Our loss is someone else's gain.”

Mr. Vanderhoop could not be reached for comment.