The new Executive Director for the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra knows he’s got big shoes to fill.

Daniel Mills will take over from the outgoing Kathy Humphreys, who’s been at the helm of KSO for the past 29 years.

Speaking on NL Newsday, Mills admitted that succeeding Humphreys will be a daunting task.

“It’s a great responsibility that I have now stepping into the role but she’s done such a great job in building the organization and so I feel like I’m taking over in a good position,” he said. “But of course, I want to honour everything she’s done to this point, and hopefully build on that.”

Humphreys last day will be June 30, and Mills says he’s glad he’ll be able to pick her brain for the next two weeks.

“I will be in the office with her over the next few weeks here before she wraps up, learning everything I can about the organization and its history and hopefully be equipped pretty well going forward,” Mills added. “Thankfully, she will be around in town of course after that, so hopefully, it will be pretty smooth.”

As for the future, Mills says the repairs to the Sagebrush Theatre and the Performing Arts Centre discussions are two things he’ll be keeping a close eye on.

“But I also am looking forward to working with Dina Gilbert, our Music Director, and figuring out what new projects we can tackle from an artistic side, which projects are great for the community. So I think those things will probably take a lot of my attention, and of course, making sure that the operations are running smoothly and that we can be a sustainable organization.”

A Calgary native, Daniel Mills will start in his new role on June 17.