After 12 years as High Road Services Society executive director, Dana Gorbahn is stepping down.
Gorbahn, who was a founder of the non-profit organization that provides services for adults with physical and developmental disabilities, decided it was time for him to move on.
“I was just absolutely thrilled to be able to work with the individuals and families from day one in creating High Road Services Society and I’ve been working far too hard for way too long, and it’s time for me to just relax a little bit,” he said.
He is not going to relax entirely yet, however.
“It’s a partial retirement, I’ve got other businesses that I’m involved with too, but I just need to step back and charge up the batteries and maybe retire, who knows?”
In a press release announcing Gorbahn’s resignation, Gary Forbes, president of the charity’s board of directors, praised the outgoing executive director.
“Through his efforts while at High Road, our community and many families and their children within it, have seen a better quality of life and brighter future,” Forbes said.
“We the board of High Road and Dik Tiy [Housing Society], would like to thank Dana for all of his hard work and professionalism over the years. He will be missed by the staff and clients we serve as well as the committees and organizations provincially he contributed to.”
Gorbahn’s replacement will be Rachele Robinson, who has also been with High Road since the beginning.
“We brought her in as front line staff when we created the organization and she’s worked for me as a manager for the last four years, almost five years,” Gorbahn said. “She’s a very capable lady.”
For her part, Robinson, who has been chief operating officer-day programs since 2014, is looking forward to her new role.
“I’m excited to be able to continue on with High Road and the vision that they had for the services that we’re able to provide to individuals in the Smithers area,” she said.
“I’m hoping that we can continue to provide quality services just like we always have and that the agency itself will continue to grow in the positive way that it always has.”
Forbes has confidence that will be the case.
“With her history and experience with the organization, Rachele brings the valued in-depth understanding of operations of our organization, which will serve as a foundation to move us forward as this transition unfolds,” he said.