Georgia Krueger

Ada Jenkins Center, a regional non-profit community service organization on Davidson’s west side, is seeking a replacement for executive director Jay Laurens. Mr. Laurens, whose last day is Friday, Oct. 3, announced recently he plans to leave after a little more than a year. The center’s board has hired Georgia Krueger, a veteran non-profit executive, to serve as interim director through Dec. 31.

Mr. Laurens said Thursday he is leaving for personal reasons, specifically to spend more time with his family. He and his wife have four children, two of whom are adopted. “Family needs to be the biggest thing on my plate right now,” he said. He has taken a job in grant writing and development for the Center for the Environment at Catawba College in Salisbury, which is closer to his home in Rowan County.

A community reception for Mr. Laurens is planned Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Ada Jenkins Center, 212 Gamble St.

Ada Jenkins Center is both a community center and a home base for a variety of service programs. Located in a former school, it houses the Loaves and Fishes food pantry, the senior nutrition center, free dental and medical clinics, a parish nurse, Head Start, The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club of Davidson, Crisis Assistance Ministries, and Latino Services. It offers computer training and job and career counseling, and even Spanish classes.

A committee headed by board member Timi Griffin is leading the search for Mr. Laurens’ replacement. In the meantime, Georgia Harris Krueuger has agreed to fill in as director, through at least year’s end.

Ms. Kreuger is well-known in the north Mecklenburg region. She spent 20 years as director of the Lake Norman Family YMCA. She left in 2005 and traveled the U.S. with husband Scott, before returning to the area to start a consulting practice in leadership development and organizational behavior.

She began work last week. With her consulting business established, she was receptive when the Ada Jenkins Center approached her to help out. “It seemed to me that an opportunity to do this in an interim role was perfect,” Ms. Krueger said.

She said she hopes to pick up where Mr. Laurens is leaving off. She wants to keep the center moving forward, and not be merely a caretaker. “I’m approaching it as if I’m going to be here forever,” she said.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

Jan. 18, 2008, “4 minute interview: Jay Laurens”

July 26, 2007, “Ada Jenkins hires a new director”