KAILUA-KONA — The Hawaii Island Humane Society has hired a new CEO as it moves forward with restructuring its management and operations with new leadership and resources.
Following a nationwide search, the humane society has hired Charles Brown to lead the management team and oversee all facets of the organization. Brown will assume the position in early August.
The Hawaii Island Humane Society said Brown brings with him a wealth of shelter experience overseeing shelter operations and animal control services as a director of shelters in Indiana, Tennessee and Maryland. He previously served as a member of the board of directors for a humane society in Idaho and has worked closely with law enforcement agencies to investigate animal cruelty complaints.
“To best utilize our resources, the restructuring plan also calls for the elimination of two positions, Director of Finance and Director of Shelter Operations. We thank both Regina Serrano and Robert Belcher for their service to the Hawaii Island Humane Society and we wish them the best in their future endeavors,” said Hawaii Island Humane Society President Adam Atwood.
Once the new CEO is on board, the Board of Directors will again focus on long term strategic planning for the organization, which operates shelters in Kona, Waimea and Keaau.
The humane society has hired the nationally known firm Humane Logic to provide an overview and assessment of all operations including policies, procedures and protocols for animal evaluation and euthanasia practices to ensure the organization is following nationally recognized best practices and procedures.
Meanwhile, the humane society’s Animal Community Center in Kona continue to progress and phase 2, which includes a welcome center and adoption areas, is looking to be completed by early 2020. The third phase includes a vet clinic, animal control receiving and a large animal (horses and cows) barn. Construction will begin in 2020.
The Central Bark Dog Parks for both large and small dogs opened last year.