Sherwin Daryani's new job as executive director of Carrollton-based Operation Kindness combines two of his passions – a love of animals and the satisfaction of managing a nonprofit.

His biggest challenge? It just might be filling the shoes of his predecessor, Jonnie England, who served as the no-kill shelter's executive director for more than 20 years. She resigned this year on the heels of a proposed reorganization.

"I have a lot of respect for Jonnie," Mr. Daryani said. "She's done a lot for animals over the years."

While he's been in place at Operation Kindness for only about a month, Mr. Daryani brings more than six years of experience working with nonprofits and other organizations. He has worked for the Fort Worth public health department in multiple roles, including a stint as a diabetes coordinator. Most recently he worked as the city's community solutions director.

However, it wasn't his professional experience that attracted the attention of the board of directors.

"He was an extremely impressive candidate," said Jim Bennett, president of the shelter's board of directors. "He had the experience, but it was more his leadership skills and enthusiasm that really set him apart."

After appointing Mr. Daryani, the board of the nonprofit scrapped plans to hire a general manager to handle day-to-day shelter operations.

"The [proposed] reorganization was custom-designed with the idea that Jonnie would be staying," Mr. Bennett said. "After she resigned, there was no need to keep those plans, so we went back to a more traditional structure."

Instead, the board has hired a developmental director to help Mr. Daryani with fundraising efforts for the shelter.

For now, Mr. Daryani is somewhat reluctant to discuss long-term plans or new initiatives for Operation Kindness. Instead he's focusing on a more immediate goal – increasing the number of successful adoptions of animals.

"The number of animals needing good homes is always growing," he said.

Mr. Bennett said the board made the right choice in hiring Mr. Daryani.

"Morale is incredible good, everything is being professionally handled – we couldn't be happier," Mr. Bennett said.

Jason Joyce is an Irving freelance writer.

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