Evergreen Christian Outreach has reached a crossroads, and it has found the person to lead it into its next chapter in Dale Flanders.

He has been named the nonprofit's new executive director, and he started work on Monday. Among his first duties will be to help consolidate all of EChO's programs including its resale shop into The Place building it bought in October.

“This opportunity at EChO is an intersection where my skills and passions and experience meet,” Flanders said. “It's as if all the roads I've been on have coalesced around something where all will be utilized. … This is an organization that is not sitting still. It is moving forward, expanding.”

Ray Dowdle, president of the EChO board, said EChO had many applicants for the position and interviewed four, and Flanders stood out among the candidates because he had everything the board was looking for.

“He has wonderful experience in the nonprofit sector, and he has a pastoral background,” Dowdle said. “He has lived EChO's mission, the mission of helping people. He's very positive and energetic, and a collaborative leader.”

Flanders replaces Sharon Smith, who left the 34-year-old organization at the end of October after a decade at the helm.

“Sharon contributed a lot to the organization,” Dowdle said. “She was the heart and soul of EChO for about 10 years.”

Flanders said he doesn't have any preconceived notions about what 2021 will look like for EChO, and he will figure it out as he gets settled into the position. He called EChO's mission crucial to help struggling families, and it was important to have a strong community presence.

“It's about getting people together and make connections,” he said. “I'm good at being an advocate for the community.”

Flanders has been a pastor, worked at Mile High United Way and the Kaiser Family Foundation, and been a consultant to nonprofits. He has lived in Colorado since he was 6, and he and his wife Laura have been married 37 years and have two grown children. He loves to do “Colorado stuff:” golfing, fly fishing, hiking and skiing.

He hopes to make an impact that will help area residents.

“How do we serve more people because the needs are great?” he asked. “I'm not one to sit still. There's more that can be done.”