Emmendorfer, a Northern Michigan University graduate, is currently district representative for U.S. Congressman Jack Bergman and has been a “longtime advocate and volunteer” for Room at the Inn and the Warming Center, a press release states.

Emmendorfer said this morning that he was honored to be selected and looks forward to taking the position.

“As a Marquette native and longtime volunteer for Room at the Inn, I could not be more excited for this tremendous opportunity,” Emmendorfer said. “I look forward to working with the guests, the board of directors and the community as a whole. I have a feeling great things lie ahead for our organization and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to be a part of that.”

Emmendorfer was unanimously recommended for the position after a search committee interviewed “a number of highly qualified candidates” for the position, John Sonderegger, chairman of the Room at the Inn Board of Directors, said in an interview this morning.

The interior of Room at the Inn’s Warming Shelter along Washington Street in Marquette is shown. (Journal file photo)

“We are very pleased to be able to have Nicholas join the Room at the Inn,” Sonderegger said, noting that Emmendorfer’s start date is currently set for mid-February.

Emmendorfer will take the position previously held by Doug Russell, who was separated from the organization in mid-December. Ryan Redmond, former manager of the Room at the Inn Warming Center, had been designated as interim director.

Room at the Inn was founded in 2007 and has served thousands of people who are homeless through providing shelter each night from September through May, as well as it’s warming center.

The warming center, located at 447 W. Washington St. in Marquette, is open every day throughout the entire year to provide meals, a shower facility and other services to homeless people in the area.

Room at the Inn’s offices are located at 347 Rock St. in Marquette and can be reached at 906-227-9171. For more information, to volunteer or make a contribution, call the office or visit www.roomattheinn.org.

Cecilia Brown can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248.