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InterHab (Topeka, KS): Matt Fletcher (right) became InterHab’s new Executive Director in late November. Timothy Graham had been serving as Interim Executive Director of the Kansas state provider association. Matt was previously employed at InterHab from 1999, and an Associate Executive Director at the association from 2003-2015. Most recently, Matt served as Deputy Director for Johnson County Developmental Supports in Lenexa, KS (2015-2018).
Midwest Special Services (St. Paul, MN): Lyth Hartz (left), President & CEO of MSS, retired in early November. Lyth started as a director with the agency in 1979. Julie Johnson (right) was selected to succeed Lyth as President & CEO. Julie has worked for MSS for 28 years, primarily in the role of Vice President for Administration. Her educational background is in business administration and nonprofit management, and Julie is actively involved with MOHR, a statewide provider association. She began serving her term as President of MOHR in July 2018.
Ohio Provider Resource Agency (Columbus, OH): Jeff Davis was named Executive Director of OPRA in December, after it was announced that then-OPRA Executive Director Mark Davis would become the President & CEO of PAR (see below). Jeff joined OPRA in March 2011, and was responsible for government affairs activities, including legislation and administrative rules, as well as public policy initiatives. On January 10, Ohio Governor-Elect Mike DeWine named Jeff to a cabinet position in his Administration. Jeff will serve as the next Director of the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD). Jeff previously served as Deputy Director at DODD from 1991 to 2007. We at ANCOR congratulate Jeff and know he will serve wonderfully.
PAR (Harrisburg, PA): Shirley Walker, PAR President & CEO for 28 years, began her transition to retirement by stepping down from that role and becoming President Emeritus as of January 1. Shirley will stay with PAR in the role of President Emeritus to consult the association as it transitions. Shirley also serves on the ANCOR Board of Directors, representing the 100% model state associations, and will continue serving in this role as she was successfully re-elected by the state association executives participating in the 100% membership model. Concurrent with news of Shirley’s transition, PAR announced that Mark Davis would become President & CEO, effective January 1. Mark was previously President & CEO of OPRA, one of Ohio’s state provider associations. Mark had been with OPRA since 2002, and he previously served on the ANCOR Board of Directors for two terms representing state associations.
InVision Human Services (Wexford, PA): Gary Blumenthal was named Vice President, Government Relations for InVision Human Services, effective December 1. Previously, Gary served as Vice President, Strategic and Special Projects for PAR. Gary currently serves as Chair of ANCOR’s Grassroots Work Group.
Partnership Resources, Inc. (Minneapolis, MN): Norm Munk (right), President & CEO for the past 19 years, will retire on January 31. Norm pioneered accelerated growth, expansion, and new and exciting business ideas at PRI. He was also very active in social justice work, particularly on homelessness and immigration issues. Norm served on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of MOHR, one of the state provider associations in Minnesota. He was also active in ANCOR, in particular with the Grassroots Work Group. Norm will still be active in his retirement, continuing his work on legislative issues. Julie Zbraracki will succeed Norm as President & CEO of PRI, effective February 1. Julie has worked for PRI for over 18 years and brings with her a wealth of resources, knowledge and experience in the social services field. She served as PRI’s Chief Operations Officer for the past nine years, overseeing finance, human resources and overall agency operations.
United Cerebral Palsy of Los Angeles (Woodland Hills, CA): Ron Cohen (left), UCPLA’s President & CEO for the past 32 years, is retiring this month. UCPLA expanded to multiple counties during his tenure, and currently provides services to over 1,000 individuals. UCP Wheels for Humanity, a program that increases access to mobility for children, teens and adults to promote greater inclusion for people with disabilities globally, was also established during his time with the organization, and currently funtions in more than 70 countries. Ron has also been active in ANCOR for a long time, including representing California on the ANCOR Board of Representatives for multiple terms.
Lori Anderson (right) has been appointed to succeed Ron as President & CEO, effective January 21. Prior to this appointment, Lori was the Chief Operations Officer and Vice President for Residential Services for Bethesda Lutheran Communities, overseeing that organization’s residential operations throughout the US. Lori also served as Bethesda’s Regional Director for California.
Jerri McCandless is Special Assistant to the CEO at ANCOR.