By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
When Dr. Nancy Orel was named Wednesday as interim executive director of the Wood County Committee on Aging, she knew just what to do.
Exactly what Denise Niese was planning to do, before she died on Nov. 29.
Orel, a respected colleague and trusted cohort of Niese’s, is confident she can fill in for her long-time friend until a replacement is found. And the board has assured seniors that services will continue as always.
The Wood County Committee on Aging’s Board meeting began Wednesday with a somber moment of silence for Niese, who was relentless in her pursuit of services for senior citizens.
“We all know we have a great loss in Denise,” board Chairman Dr. Tom Milbrodt said. “This past year was tough on her, but she kept going until her body just said she couldn’t anymore. We will miss her.”
Milbrodt said the board has received many inquiries about how the agency and its senior centers throughout the county will continue.
The board’s executive committee met last week to assess the stability of the agency and select an interim director.
“Because of Denise’s leadership, and having everyone cross trained and being able to do multiple jobs,” the agency is continuing its services seamlessly, Milbrodt said. “The people here know how to take care of the agency.”
The timeline for finding a new executive director includes an application acceptance period till the end of January. The personnel committee of the WCCOA Board hopes to have a person selected by the end of February, Milbrodt said.
“We should get some good applicants,” he said. “Though I don’t think we’ll get a Denise.”
The executive committee selected Orel as the interim executive director until a permanent person is found to fill the position. And on Wednesday, the full board voted in agreement.
Orel, who is a professor emeritus at Bowling Green State University, has a deep background in gerontology and counseling, and worked to create the Optimal Aging Institute at BGSU.
She currently serves on the WCCOA Board and is president-elect for next year. The board agreed to grant her a leave of absence until she can rejoin when an executive director is hired.
Orel first met Niese when Orel was director of a senior center in Toledo, and Niese served there as an intern. Orel then went on to hold a director’s position with senior services in Washtenaw County, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
While at BGSU, Orel served as an interim dean, then associate dean.
“She’s somebody with vast administrative experience,” Milbrodt said. And she has no interest in the role permanently, he added.
“The only reason I’m doing this is my love for Denise, and my love for this agency,” Orel said after the meeting. “I was very happy being retired and on the board.”
Niese’s goal was to continue providing services for local seniors, including nutritious meals, a place to gather with friends, to play games, to exercise, to watch movies, and to learn new things as they aged.
“I know for Denise, her goal was the basement,” Orel said of Niese’s dream to convert the basement into a woodworking shop for seniors and local veterans. Memorial donations for Niese will be put toward capital projects such as the basement.
Orel praised the senior center staff for stepping up after Niese’s death.
“I can’t thank the staff enough. They have been going above and beyond,” she said.
The agency will cast a wide net for a replacement, with plans to post the opening with national and state councils on aging, Orel said.
“The process will ensure that the next executive director will be someone that is willing to continue the legacy that Denise has made,” a board press release noted last week.
The board was reminded of the “celebration of life” for Niese, set for Jan. 11, from 1 to 6 p.m., at the senior center in Bowling Green.
“We really want people to come and celebrate Denise’s life,” Orel said.
Also at the meeting, the board bid farewell to five retiring board members – Roger Anderson, Susan Hart-Douglas, Sue Hess, George Stossel and Jim Miles.
