The new executive director of the Lawrence Community Shelter understands that “no one’s going to be able to replace” the unique skills and dedication that his predecessor, Loring Henderson, has brought to the job.

Steven Robinson knows he has big shoes to fill, but he also has some important skills that should serve the shelter well. He has worked in programing and leadership roles at a number of nonprofit organizations, including two state university foundations (Kansas State and Emporia), St. Francis Community Services in Topeka and state affiliates of the national diabetes and heart associations and the March of Dimes.

All told, he has 25 years of experience working in and raising money for nonprofit organizations. As is the case for many nonprofit executive directors these days, Robinson’s most important job perhaps will be to raise money to support the community shelter. Others may be called upon to take a greater role in the day-to-day operation of the shelter and interacting with its clients, but Job One for the executive director is to keep enough money coming in through donations, grants and government support to cover the operating budget of the expanded shelter facility on the east edge of Lawrence.

Robinson is fortunate to be able to work alongside Henderson for the month of May, learning about the shelter, its people, its history and its goals for the future. Henderson has a storehouse of information and insights to share and should be able to ease Robinson’s transition into the job.

After that transition period, the new director needs to take what he has learned and make his own mark on the Lawrence Community Shelter. We wish him well as he learns the ropes and takes control of this important community agency.