Haas named permanent director at Nevada’s rural RSVP

Susan Haas, a former aide to Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt, was named executive director and CEO of the Nevada Rural Counties Retired Senior Volunteer Program.

Haas, who for eight years was the deputy chief of staff with Hunt, joined the rural counties RSVP in 2007 as program director. In 2012, she became the Carson City-based program’s director of marketing and development.

Haas has been the rural RSVP interim director since the death of Janice Ayres, who founded the program and built it into a 15-county Nevada force. Haas was characterized as the right person to carry on the work.

“With her broad service and management background,” RSVP Board President Jerry Thurman said, “she will continue to develop and sustain the programs that provide meaningful volunteer opportunities and life-saving services to seniors to help keep them independent and in their homes.”

Thurman said the board was “truly fortunate” to have Haas in place to continue work that Ayres championed for more than three decades.

“I couldn’t be more happy and proud than to continue the work of RSVP,” Haas said. “This is an unexpected turn of events. It’s meaningful work; it’s not just a job.”

Haas announced the appointment of Carol Anacker to serve as executive assistant to the director and grants manager.

Anacker served in various positions with state government in California for more than 30 years and as a grants coordinator in the environmental department of the Washoe Tribe in Douglas County. She joined RSVP in 2010 as volunteer and stations supervisor.

RSVP provides a support system of services for seniors. Among them are home companion, respite-care volunteers, transportation services, pro bono legal services and lifeline.