PROFILE
Visionary leader with extensive experience across a full spectrum of human service and social justice programs. Proven success advancing social justice causes, creating innovative services, managing quality programs, and facilitating leadership teams. Demonstrated ability to fuse mission, operational, financial, and technology interests into cohesive, driven, and focused activities. Exceptional project management, human resource, staff development, and team leadership skills. Seeking senior leadership role with innovative and dynamic enterprise.
WORK EXPERIENCE
VISION | WORKS, Inc. Fort Wayne, IN
President June 2010 to present
¨ Generating social entrepreneurship within human service organizations and through the executives leading them by strategic vision, business development, fund-raising, project management, and leadership development.
¨ Project coordinator for closing existing and opening new 850 bed state correctional hospital and clinic.
¨ Strategic, fund-raising, and startup planning for rural development initiative based in Lusaka, Zambia.
PEJUS, Inc. Fort Wayne, IN
Chief Operating Officer September 1987 to May 2010
¨ Led transition from small, family-oriented residential, vocational, and clinical services agency (35 employees; $1M annual sales) to large multistate enterprise (600+ employees; $25M annual sales).
¨ Created Indiana’s first residential programs for persons with dual diagnosis, profound disabilities, and significant behavioral challenges, as well as innovative comprehensive mental health centers (in Indiana, Georgia, and Florida) supporting persons with dual disabilities (mental retardation and mental health). Served as Executive Director of Florida nonprofit affiliate.
¨ Comprehensive therapeutic work with individuals with significant challenges, e.g. persons with severe or pervasive mental retardation, individuals who are dually diagnosed, and adults and children with behavioral health needs.
¨ Led new development teams for both new markets (Atlanta, GA; Indianapolis, IN; and Lakeland/Fort Myers, FL) as well as expanded services (computer learning centers, vocational services, and clinical professional teams).
¨ Planned and implemented web-based clinical records system, video conference-based managerial and clinical rounds processes, and innovative behavioral analysis diagnostic systems.
¨ Developed and implemented staff development, regulatory compliance, and continuous quality improvement programs leading simultaneous national accreditation in all theaters of operation (an accreditation agency “first”).
Legal Practice Fort Wayne, IN
Attorney July 1980 to December 1992
¨ Successful civil litigator. Handled more than 400 federal court cases involving civil rights claims, employment disputes, and related public policy matters.
¨ Secured both individual and class-wide relief, including ratio hiring and promotion remedies in municipal police employment class action.
¨ Successfully revised municipal civil rights ordinance (in 1978) to include protections against discrimination based on sexual identity and disabilities, making local community distinctive as leader in civil rights prohibition.
¨ Peer-identified as one of Woodward and White’s Best Lawyers in America for civil rights practice.
¨ Served on United States District Court’s Rules Committee.
EDUCATION
Capella University, Ph.D. (in process) St. Paul, MN
¨ Coursework complete. Academic focus: individual, organizational, and social transformation.
¨ Doctoral dissertation (under preparation) involves the life and writings of Dr. Graham Taylor (1856-1938), a pioneer in American Social Christianity and Chicago civic reform.
Emory University, Candler School of Theology, M. Div. Atlanta, GA
¨ Focus of study: pastoral leadership, psychology of religion, social ethics.
¨ Awarded merit-based scholarship for specialized skill in parish ministry.
¨ Completed three-year degree one semester early while continuing to work full time as PEJUS, Inc. Chief Operating Officer.
Northeastern University, School of Law, J.D. Boston, MA
¨ Editor, Northeastern University Newsletter.
¨ Cooperative education placements at Fort Wayne Metropolitan Human Relations Commission (3 months), Susquehanna Legal Services (6 months), and National Center for Law and the Handicapped (9 months).
Indiana University, B.A. Sociology Fort Wayne, IN
¨ Deans honors list. Completed undergraduate degree in three years, working full time for two of them.
¨ Post graduation, completed nine hours of graduate accounting coursework, Graduate School of Business.
OTHER EXPERIENCE
FAITH UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Fort Wayne, IN
Senior Pastor (PT) 2006-2011
n Suburban renewing congregation with active food bank ministry.
PEOPLES CHURCH OF CHICAGO Chicago, IL
Senior Pastor (PT) 2005-2006
n Mission church in Uptown Chicago with extensive program ministry involving food and shelter for persons who were homeless. Religiously, racially, and ethnically diverse congregation.
n Successfully pursued denominational grants and private donations for extensive capital renovation, mission programs, and innovative church growth.
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Elkhart, IN
Interim Pastor (PT) 2003-2004
nUrban church hosting head start programs and food pantry ministry.
Visionary, Strategic Planning, Project Management, Consulting, Human Services, Healthcare, Executive Director, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Managing Director, Human Resource Director, Development Director, Resume, Homeless, Food Bank, Poverty, Reentry, Behavioral Health, Intellectual Disabilities, Community Development, Microen
