The nonprofit Kitchen, Inc. is searching for a new CEO. The organization said in a news release that Rorie Orgeron served his last day in the position Monday.
The release, issued Wednesday, did not elaborate on the reason for his exit.
Jim Newman, Board of Trustees president, tells KSMU, “Our business is as a nonprofit is dealing with privacy concerns with our clients as well as employees and we have no other comment than what is stated in the press release. But we wish him well.”
Orgeron joined the Kitchen in 2005, and became CEO three years later. In the past few years, he oversaw the closing of the Missouri Hotel as the nonprofit moved to a housing first model of serving homeless persons. That includes the recently opened Beacon Village and groundbreaking for McClernon Villas, which is scheduled to open this summer.
The Kitchen’s directors and executive committee of its Board of Trustees are overseeing the day-to-day operations. A search will be conducted for a new CEO. Newman says there’s no set timeline to fill the position. He adds that the leadership change will not affect current programs.
“They’re gonna go on, and all we expect them to do is grow.”
A June 8 ground breaking for its new campus at the corner of Chestnut Expressway and Glenstone Avenue will continue as planned. It will serve as the Kitchen's administration building and house its shelter along with support services.