Help Wanted: New Executive Director for the CRRC

The Community Resource and Recreation Center of Canyon Lake’s (CRRC) Executive Director Search Committee is actively seeking a replacement for outgoing Executive Director Darin Zumwalt, who stepped down on April 27 to become senior pastor at Shiner First United Methodist Church.

Committee member Diane Schaule said it takes a very special person to manage the personnel, volunteers and huge and varied workload associated with the CRRC’s food pantry, crisis program, fitness and youth-sports activities, community garden and popular Thrift Store.

“We’re on a fast track to get this job filled since it’s so critical to the organization,” she said.

Anyone interested in applying should email Bruce Glover at osanchaplain@gmail.com, Diane Schaule at schaules@gvtc.om, or Grant Farris at sirraf415@aol.com.

Applications must be received by close of business on Friday, June 5.

The new executive director will be announced on Friday, June 19.

Interim Executive Director Mike Slough

Mike Slough, a longtime resident of Canyon Lake who has supported the CRRC’s Recreation Center programs over the years and currently serves as assistant manager of the Thrift Store, is now interim executive director.

He’s a retired educator with experience in grant writing and fundraising.

Outgoing Executive Director Darin Zumwalt

On his Facebook page, Zumwalt said he will miss both his 14 years of service at CRRC as well as his work as a pastor at a church in Staples.

He began his career as CRRC Thrift Store manager on April 16, 2006.

“Within three years we had more than doubled the sales of the Thrift Store and on Jan. 1, 2010, I was asked to step into the leadership role of executive director,” Zumwalt posted to Facebook on April 16, 2020.

In a statement prepared for MyCanyonLake.com, Zumwalt said he hopes his replacement will have “heart spirit.”

“With the completion of our new facility, I can assure the Canyon Lake community that our quest to serve our residents is not done.

“CRRC is poised to expand its services for years to come to meet the needs in our area. We have strived to provide real solutions to real issues our community experiences. Whether it be food, financial assistance, recreational activities or bargain shopping in our Thrift Store, we will continue providing those solutions.

“Changes to come will include partnerships for a health and medical center for uninsured and underinsured residents for physical and mental healthcare needs, as well as partnerships with many other agencies and organizations to provide a complete resource center for the Canyon Lake community.

“As to whom shall fill my shoes?  Well, I serve because we are called to serve and that ‘heart spirit’ will be a major need for the new Executive Director of the CRRC Organization. One does not serve in employment of a non-profit for the money, but for the feeling you get when you go home of sleeping well because you were able to help someone that day.  Serving with passion and compassion is a must because every day we are charged with providing real solutions to real people that deserve that level of care.