The Center Board of Directors have named Randy Stephens as interim director, to fill in the organization’s leadership role while they search for a permanent candidate. The executive director vacancy was created when Micheal Vance resigned on April 22. Stephens brings with him a law degree plus solid LGBT activist and lobbying experience.
“He has a great drive to him, he’s well-connected in the community, has been using the Center for years and works with a lot of groups that meet there,” said Jay Lovell, Center board president. “He knows the ins and outs and a lot of the volunteers so we decided he’d be a good fit for us.”
Lovell said during the interim period, their focus is on maintaining programs. He said Stephens will have the same duties Vance had and that Vance is helping Stephens get acclimated.
“I want to continue what Micheal has done,” said Stephens. “He’s done an exemplary job here and I just want to follow in his footsteps and be as successful as he was during his tenure.”
Stephen’s coalition-building experience stems from his role as political co-chair of the HRC Orlando Steering Committee and leadership with the Rainbow Democrats.
The length of the interim period has not been determined. Lovell said the board of directors has a meeting planned to put together a job description and search strategy.
“It’ll be enough time so they can do a complete nationwide search to fill this position,” said Stephens. “The board is not taking this lightly at all and they’re not in a rush, which is part of why they asked me to serve in the interim.”
Stephens is already goal-setting for his temporary position.
“The biggest thing I want to do is try to increase fundraising,” he said.
He’s also focused on raising awareness.
“It needs to be known that this is more than just a meeting hall, and a lot more activities go on here that the public isn’t aware of,” Stephens said. “I want more involvement from the community, both in participation and financial.”
Stephens said he has not yet decided whether he will apply for the permanent executive director position.
