Comings and Goings: February 2021

by Jerri McCandless, Special Assistant to the CEO

ANCOR member agencies and state associations have seen some exciting changes in leadership over the past months. 

Florida Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (Florida ARF)

TALLAHASSEE, FL: Suzanne Sewell, President & CEO of Florida ARF for 12 years and employed at the state association since 2003, retired at the end of January. Suzanne had a 45+ year career in human services management, and during her tenure at Florida ARF, Suzanne worked with providers and stakeholders to achieve the association’s mission of promoting the interests of people with disabilities, acted as a public policy change agent, and promoted and served the interest of members and service providers in the community. Suzanne was also active in ANCOR’s State Association Executives Forum. She plans to travel with her husband (post-COVID-19) and to actively volunteer with a faith-based program that serves the unhoused population. As Suzanne says, “Once a social worker, always a social worker.”

Living Well Disability Services

MENDOTA HEIGHTS, MN: Tom Gillespie (left) has been named the incoming President & CEO of Living Well Disability Services and began his role in mid-February. Rod Carlson (right) was serving for the past year as Acting President & CEO and now returns to his role as COO. Tom has more than 15 years of senior management experience including executive leadership, operations management and group home management. Previously, he served as Executive Director of Duluth Regional Care Center in Duluth, MN. Prior to that, he served as Chief Program Officer with Hammer Residences in Wayzata MN. “I am thrilled to be joining the Living Well Disability Services team,” said Tom. “It is an honor to join such a great organization and I cannot wait to get to work.”

Have news about retirements, appointments, celebrations, mergers, acquisitions and more? Email items for Comings & Goings to Jerri McCandless at [email protected].