“We are thrilled to have Bob serve within World Renew in this new role,” said Carol Bremer-Bennett, director for World Renew in the U.S. “Bob brings relational strength to the job and embodies the vision and values of the organization. We are confident in his leadership and look forward to how he will lead the DRS team for the future.”

Laarman, who has nearly three decades of experience with World Renew, anticipates assuming the DRS director role in early October. “I am looking forward to working in the ministry of World Renew DRS,” says Laarman. “This is a great opportunity that combines many of my skills and experiences including hands on reconstruction, working with volunteers, networking, fundraising, and so much more.”

Laarman has held a variety of positions in the organization since 1984. Starting with an international assignment in Honduras, Laarman and his wife, Laurie, spent eight years as community development consultants, participating in World Renew’s (then CRWRC) initial program implementation in Ecuador and responding to a volcanic eruption in Columbia.

In 1993, Laarman had his first hands-on experience with World Renew DRS when he spent four months as the program’s response coordinator for Hurricane Andrew in Miami, Florida. From there, he took on the role of volunteer coordinator and self-help program manager with Home Repair Services of Kent County in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was responsible for recruitment and placement of volunteers, and then managed programs designed to support low-income homeowners in maintaining their own homes. He also secured donations of building materials and developed an adult education home repair program.

Concluding his time with Home Repair Services, Laarman returned to World Renew in 1998 where served as church relations administrator, constituency relations team leader, and most recently, associate director of donor relations.

“I have spent time with DRS in the past doing home repair in Florida and on an unmet needs assessments in Texas where I translated from Spanish to English for volunteers,” Laarman said. “The World Renew DRS program and volunteers are solid in their practices and faith, and I embrace the opportunity to lead the continued good work of World Renew DRS while also shaping its future success.”

Laarman replaces the program’s interim director and former U.S. World Renew director, Andrew Ryskamp, who has held the DRS role temporarily since July. He officially assumes the role of World Renew DRS director on October 3, 2016.