Kitchen narrows search for CEO, nears fundraising goal

Photo courtesy LINKEDIN

The Kitchen is narrowing down applicants to replace CEO Rorie Orgeron.

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Making a final fundraising push for its new $4 million campus, The Kitchen Inc.’s search for its next CEO is coming close to the finish line, as well.

Roz Palmer, community development manager for the nonprofit, said its selection committee received more than 80 applications and has since narrowed down the field.

“Interviews are underway and we expect an announcement very soon,” she said via email this morning.

The Kitchen’s top post became vacant in May, when Rorie Orgeron exited suddenly after holding the position since 2008 and working for the nonprofit since 2005. Officials have declined to say why Orgeron left the nonprofit.

Orgeron’s LinkedIn page has since been updated, indicating he’s seeking a job in sales, sales management or nonprofit management. His resume on the LinkedIn page includes oversight of the $4 million capital campaign funding the nonprofit’s new headquarters.

At The Kitchen, efforts are underway to raise the last 3 percent of the $4 million headquarters just north of the Glenstone Avenue and Chestnut Expressway intersection. On Sept. 20, the nonprofit will be selling commemorative bricks lining the walkway at the new support services building for the capital campaign that launched in 2015, according to a news release.

Dubbed O’Reilly Family Campus, officials broke ground in June on the new campus. Scheduled to wrap next summer, the 12,800-square-foot campus being built by Base Construction & Management is designed to have a homeless shelter with 14 apartments and the support services building for staff.

Orgeron also was instrumental in selling The Kitchen’s seven-building, 106,000-square-foot campus on Commercial Street to Historic Commercial Developments LLC.