NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (North Platte Post)- Ron Snell is leaving The Connection. After 11 years on the job, Snell announced this week that he is preparing to seek new challenges whether local or abroad. Snell has agreed to continue serving as Executive Director of The Connection until mid-2012. The search committee has until then to find a person to try to fill Ron’s shoes, an extremely daunting task. In Snell’s time at The Connection he has personally overseen a change of name, a change of venue and has helped hundreds of misplaced individuals and families try to get one step closer to finding their own home. Snell says that he had never had a conversation with a homeless person before taking on the role as Executive Director, but says since then, he has had an incredible growth experience and has encountered exceptional people of all socio-economic levels. Snell hopes that his replacement can find new and more permanent ways of securing the shelter’s financial stability and add more programs to help promote residents’ chances for success. Snell says his departure is planned to give the search committee plenty of time to find his replacement. He has full confidence in their ability to do so. Snell says that if the situation warrants, he would love to stay in North Platte, but if called elsewhere, even outside the U.S., he would willingly go where he is needed. Not once in the interview did Ron mention personal endeavors that he would like to pursue, instead focusing on where he might go to continue helping others. The Connection, and possibly our city, is losing a great leader and friend. Many lives have been changed for the better thanks to Ron Snell.