Georgia Association of Community Service Boards Welcomes a Century of Experience

June 29, 2011 - PRLog -- Jessica Hayslett
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(June 29, 2011) – The Georgia Association of Community Service Boards (GACSB) is pleased to announce the organization’s 2011-2012 board of officers:  President Ralph Herndon, Vice President Dr. Paul Roman, Secretary Dr. Thomas Ford and Treasurer Angela Hicks-Hill. These individuals will be at the helm of GACSB’s mission to promote the exchange of information, represent members on legislative matters and advocate for the highest quality of life for consumers of mental health, developmental disabilities and addictive diseases services.

“This year’s leadership has not only passion, but more than a century of Georgia-based practical and clinical experience,” says GACSB Director Robyn Garrett-Gunnoe.  “The GACSB’s work has always been vital to Georgia’s communities, but with the extent of changes and service growth in response to the DOJ mandates and the evolution of care, now it is more important than ever that we have leadership to guide us to the bright future of Georgia’s mental health, developmental disabilities and addictive diseases care.”

Ralph Herndon, GACSB president, a 45 year veteran of Georgia county and state public health departments, has played a direct role in the transformation and evolution of public health in Georgia.  After retiring in 2000, Mr. Herndon focused his insights and time on working for Georgia’s MH/DD/AD community, serving eight years on Serenity Behavioral Health System’s board, and representing Serenity at the GACSB. He graduated from the Medical College of Georgia and is particularly committed to the well-being of Georgia’s children, serving 41 years with the Georgia High School Association, and 33 years as a coach and president with the Little League.  

Dr. Paul Roman, GACSB vice president, serves as Regents Professor at the University of Georgia and Director of the Center for Research on Behav¬ioral Health and Human Services Delivery in the Owens Institute for Behavioral Research. He has served in a behavioral research and education role for more than 40 years and is internationally recognized for his research on substance abuse in the workplace. His most recent studies are focused on patterns of organizational structure associated with innovation and change among substance abuse treatment providers, and on organizational networks of behavioral health service providers.  

Dr. Thomas Ford, GACSB secretary, has led Lookout Mountain Community Services as executive director for the past 15 years.  In addition to his more than 20 years in behavioral healthcare leadership, he provided treatment and counseling for 12 years in a clinical setting. He is a board member of the National Council of Community Behavioral Healthcare and received his B.S. in Psychology from Valdosta State College, his Masters from Mississippi State University and his Ph.D. at the University of Texas at Austin.

Angela Hicks-Hill, GACSB treasurer, has nearly 30 years of clinical and leadership experience in Georgia’s behavioral healthcare facilities, including skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities, state and private hospitals, clinics and Crisis Stabilization Units. She has served as executive director of the Oconee Center since 2005.  Ms. Hicks-Hill is a registered nurse with training in dozens of behavioral specialties, and holds degrees in nursing, management and psychology.  

About the Georgia Association of Community Service Boards
For more than 30 years, Georgia Association of Community Service Board members (GACSB) have lead the development and operation of cost effective, high quality, mental health, developmental disability and addictive disease services in Georgia.  With 27 member organizations providing community based care across the state, the GACSB is dedicated to its mission of promoting the exchange of information, representing its members on legislative and administrative matters, and campaigning for the highest quality of life for consumers of mental health, developmental disability and addictive disease services. To learn more, please visit http://www.gacsb.org/.

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