THUNDER BAY — A familiar face is returning to manage the largest homeless shelter in Thunder Bay.
The board of directors of Shelter House has appointed Cal Rankin to the position of executive director.
Rankin served in the same position for over a decade.
He left Shelter House in 2012 to take a new job with HAGI Transit.
At that time, Rankin was succeeded by Patty Hajdu, now the MP for Thunder Bay - Superior North.
Rankin has served in a variety of other roles for non-profit organizations, and most recently worked in crisis care supporting Indigenous communities.
Board Chair Wanda MacArthur describes him as "a compassionate leader, a community builder, a seasoned manager with complex environments."
He takes on the role after two difficult years during which clients and staff at Shelter House experienced significant challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
In an announcement Monday, the board of directors extended its gratitude to Michelle Morgan for serving as interim executive director.
Morgan will return in the coming weeks to her previous post of operations manager of the George Street shelter.
Rankin officially takes over on May 9.
