Saying that “part of my soul passed away” when company founder Marvin Pomerantz died, Teresa Wahlert announced this afternoon that she will step down as the president and chief operating officer of Mid-America Group.

Carolyn Helmlinger will become the president and chief executive officer of the West Des Moines-based company at the end of October, while retaining her post as president of Coldwell Banker Mid-America Group Realtors.

Wahlert, 59, left the Greater Des Moines Partnership five years ago to work alongside Pomerantz. He died in August.

She said she intends to continue to work on her passions – education, the Greater Des Moines community and business. Wahlert said she is mulling “three or four” business opportunities.