Monday morning, the previously vacant executive director’s chair for the Animal Shelter Society was filled as the selected hire for the job began her first full day as head of the shelter.

Deb Bergeron assumed the position as Executive Director of the Animal Shelter Society Inc. for her first full day of work Monday.

“I feel like I was led to this position,” Bergeron said.

After being without a director following the resignation of both the executive director and the assistant director, the animal shelter once again has a leader at the head of the non-profit.

Since the final resignation in late July, the board for the animal shelter has been ensuring all daily operations continued.

While the system worked for the time being, the ultimate goal was to hire another director.

“I could feel her heart and compassion,” Lisa Burkett, the Animal Shelter Society Board President, said of the new director. “I feel like that’s important not just for the animals but for the staff.”

For many years, Bergeron has managed people throughout her professional positions.

When the board began looking for a new director at the end of August, Bergeron said she felt she was fit for the job and could bring strong leadership and management skills to the animal shelter.

“I think one of my greatest strengths is to manage and to lead people,” Bergeron said.

The newly hired director said she came across the position listing at the beginning of September. Despite the long process, she said she was impressed with the hiring process and how thorough the hiring committee and the board were in choosing a candidate.

Board member Stephanie Hill said the process was lengthy, but the board wanted to be intentional and deliberate about the steps it was taking.

During the search for a new director, the animal shelter was also involved in a legal matter with the former executive director in regards to unemployment, Animal Shelter Society Board Secretary April Gibson said.

Until that matter was resolved, which ended in all of the former director’s unemployment appeals being denied, the board did not want to hire another director.

Once the process began to advance, the applicants were narrowed down to four candidates, then narrowed by the hiring board to three candidates and then finally narrowed to Bergeron.

“She believed in our mission,” Gibson said, who added that she noticed Bergeron’s passion the first day the two met.

Looking to the future, Bergeron is excited to begin her work at the shelter. One of the biggest upcoming goals is a complete rebranding of the animal shelter, including cosmetic alterations and advanced training among other things.

Despite the lack of a director for the second half of 2019, Bergeron said she’s inspired by the energy and passion that the staff continues to uphold at the shelter.

“They seem very excited to have me here, and I’m excited to meet them all,” Bergeron said, adding that she’s starting to put names and faces together.

In addition to the rebranding efforts, the board members said there is more in store for the animal shelter in the coming year.

“2020 is going to be amazing,” Burkett said.

The first order of business to tackle in the new year is a few laughs as the animal shelter’s annual comedy night is Saturday, Jan. 11.

Caturday Night Live will be held at Bryan Place and features two comedians. The doors open at 6 p.m. with the show beginning at 8 p.m.

Tickets for the event are $20 and 100 percent of the proceeds go to benefit the animal shelter.